Lincoln, New Mexico camping options feature a mix of wooded mountain settings and creek-side sites. Located at 6,000+ feet elevation, the area experiences warm summer days with temperatures typically reaching the mid-80s and cool evenings dropping to the 40s. Seasonal monsoons bring afternoon thunderstorms from July through September, making waterproof gear essential during summer camping trips.
What to do
Mountain hiking trails: Access multiple trailheads directly from Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park, which places you minutes from popular forest trails. "Ruidoso alone is a quintessential mountain town and it's a must see visit in Lincoln National Forrest," notes Richard T., who appreciated the convenience of this in-town campground.
Wildlife viewing: Set up hummingbird feeders at Eagle Creek RV Resort for guaranteed bird watching. "Bring your hummingbird feeders you won't be disappointed! We will be back!" advises Belinda D. The resort also hosts regular wildlife visits: "During our stay we had regular visits from a group of about 11 male mule deer!"
Fishing access: Multiple lakes within short driving distance provide excellent fishing opportunities. Jeffrey T. at Rainbow Lake Cabin & RV Resort mentions, "The park is adjacent to Lincoln National park. I literally walked out of my door and up the road," providing easy access to nearby fishing spots. Many campgrounds also offer on-site fishing at stocked ponds or creeks.
What campers like
Quiet mountain settings: Several campgrounds offer peaceful environments with minimal noise. "The campground is surrounded by fields with a creek bed on the back side and horses on another. It was very quiet and dark enough at night to see the stars light up the sky," reports Kelly about Moonflower Meadows RV Resort.
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance stands out in camper reviews. Matt S. noted about Slow Play RV Park: "Bathrooms and showers were impressively clean. There is a laundry room, and a game room with a few arcade games." Similarly, Thornton B. found Midtown Mountain Campground "fastidiously clean and maintained" with "surprisingly high water pressure!"
Family-owned hospitality: Personal attention from owners makes a difference at many rv sites near Lincoln, New Mexico. "The staff here is great friendly helpful. Amenities are amazing laundry gym fire pit. Very clean and well kept we love it here," writes Michael F. about their stay at Midtown Mountain.
What you should know
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs dramatically between campgrounds. Jan R. shares about Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground: "No ATT or Verizon cell service at my site, but I did find a weak signal up near the office. The wifi was a struggle... I could easily connect to their router, but constantly got an error of 'no internet service'."
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends fill quickly at most Lincoln area campgrounds. Michele S. noted about Moonflower Meadows: "We stayed for a month and 4 days, and it never filled up," which is unusual compared to other parks that require weeks of advance booking during peak season.
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds have tight spacing between RVs. Nick H. comments about Pine Ridge RV Campground: "Sites very tightly packed, I could literally reach out my window and touch the neighbor's awning," adding that the park features "very tight driving through with a trailer and very tricky backing into the sites due to hills and tight sites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Along The River RV Park & Campground offers activities for children near the water. JulieJay M. describes "Lovely level sites, as I am in a van. Spacious sites, firebox available, tables at the sites, deer, wild horses come to visit."
Child-friendly campgrounds: Charles B. recommends Bonito Hollow: "Smaller campground with plenty to keep the kids entertained. Playground. Some of the campsites back up to a nice running creek. Beautiful bridge crossing over the creek."
Demographic considerations: Some rv campsites near Lincoln are better suited for families than others. Nick H. observes: "The demographic here is older, mostly retirees here for extended stays. Stayed 3 nights, did not see (or hear) any kids other than our own, didn't see anyone under 45 other than us either so not the best place for kids/families."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the Lincoln area have uneven sites requiring equipment. Sue G. notes about Pine Ridge RV Campground: "Roads are steep and turns are tight, so if you have a big rig, you may need to stay near the front. We have a 30 ft and managed to stay at the top, although we had to use leveling blocks."
Road condition warnings: Access roads to some campgrounds can be rough. Belinda D. cautions about Eagle Creek RV Resort: "The road going in to campsites are very rough and in of need some TLC!" Jessica M. adds, "The road is barely able to fit two vehicles so there are times you have to make a close pass due to the ledges."
Full-hookup availability: Many RV sites near Lincoln offer complete services. Joseph W. notes about Slow Play RV Park: "30 and 50 amp service available. Has buddy sites as well as individual sites. All size vehicles welcome."
