Lincoln National Forest provides primitive camping opportunities near Mescalero, New Mexico, with most dispersed sites located between 7,000-9,600 feet. The forest contains multiple camping areas accessible via forest roads, many with existing fire rings. September through early November offers cooler temperatures with fewer crowds, though overnight temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations.
What to do
Wildlife photography opportunities: Early mornings at Forest Road 568 Dispersed Camping provide excellent photography conditions. "We drove in around 10pm and the small town of Cloudcroft was beautiful for anyone needing a place to stop before heading into the forest. We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road," reports camper Aly E.
Waterfall viewing: The small waterfall at Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping creates a natural focal point for day hikes. A camper named Sam M. notes, "Awesome overnight stay at Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping in our Mammoth ELE. Easy trip in & out, and the spring waterfall was great."
Hiking network: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas to nearby towns. Cameron M. from Forest Road 568 explains, "We planned on only staying up here a couple days, but plans off the mountain fell through and we stayed for 12. It was gorgeous. Huge forest with lots of exploring to do." Several trails lead from campsites directly into Cloudcroft for supplies or meals.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Most rustic camping locations near Mescalero feature minimal noise, especially during weekdays and off-season. Mitchell M. at Forest Rd 568 Dispersed shares, "Visited in last day in November, so it was a bit cold at night. Since it was so late in the year I ran across 0 other people, and at night it was absolutely silent."
Accessible primitive camping: Many dispersed sites remain accessible with standard vehicles. Patrick B. notes about Forest Road 568, "Not a terrible road at all. I drive a little, low-clearance hatchback and was able to make it all the way to the end of the road and back out while scoping out sites. Go the whole length and see what your options are so you can pick the best one."
Mountain views: Dog Canyon provides desert-mountain vistas with open landscapes. "We enjoyed seeing all the rock trails that have been created from previous visitors," says Courtney M., while Twan M. adds, "Easy to access, plenty of spots along the main road and other spurs going off from it. Drove the whole way until it dead ends into State Park land (fenced) then turned around and went down a spur on the left to a great spot."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Forest roads can be challenging after rain or snow. Sarah H. explains about Forest Road 568, "The road is rocky and narrow, but we were able to make it in a 2 wheel drive vehicle with pretty low clearance." For Alamo Peak Rd, one camper reports, "We have a 30 foot motor home and were so glad to find a dispersed spot in the mountains we could fit!"
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping locations have minimal or no facilities. Jacob W. notes about Bluff Springs, "There's a gravel parking lot with bathrooms but no campground. We tent camped Sat, Aug. 1, 2020, arriving about 2pm. There were many people camping and it was difficult to find a spot along the road with dispersed camping sites."
Cell service inconsistency: Coverage varies dramatically across the forest. Scott B. mentions about Forest Road 568, "I had AT&T 3-4 bars of signal, enough to work my remote job and stream You-Tube. A very nice group site at the top of the hill, big enough for 2-3 Class Bs. 5 bars of AT&T there." However, Brian and Janet S. report from Alamo Peak Rd, "No cell service except for a few bars down the road toward Alamo Peak."
Tips for camping with families
Consider proximity to creeks: Water features provide natural entertainment for children. Jeanie P. recommends Bluff Springs: "There is a small waterfall that we could see and hear from our campsite and a creek for kiddos to play in. Its a free range area so cows are all over the place which was fun to see."
Plan for wildlife viewing: Many families enjoy animal sightings from safe distances. "We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road," reports Aly E. about Forest Road 568.
Check weather forecasts carefully: Mountain weather can change rapidly with significant temperature drops at night. Gene S. shares about Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area: "With one camper, two tents, two jeeps, two dogs, six kiddos and 10 adults it was a chore to get everything out and set up but worth every minute to enjoy the next three days worry and technology free."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions limit RV options: Many forest roads have tight turns or limited space. TheFoxphire F. advises about Forest Road 568: "Room for big rigs prior to road intersection pretty rough beyond that. Able to get our 31' class C with no issues other than unevenness."
Scout before committing: Narrow roads can create turnaround challenges. Violeta A. cautions, "We should have just stayed in the first location we found though. We went to the end of the road to find out that there was no way to turn our 29 ft trailer. We had to go in reverse about 1/4 mile to find a place to turn around."
Unlevel sites require preparation: Bring leveling blocks and stabilizers. Silas T. notes about Lincoln National Park Forest Road 634 Dispersed, "It's a Forest road so check it out before pulling you trailer up it. Was gated and locked about 1.5 miles in no room to turn a rig around there. Larger than vehicle should stay at beginning of road."
