Forest Road 568 near Cloudcroft offers several dispersed camping areas for pet owners, with multiple reviewers noting the freedom dogs have to explore the wilderness setting. The free camping spots along this rocky forest road accommodate both tent and RV camping, with numerous fire rings available at established sites. Alamogordo/White Sands KOA, approximately 20 miles west, provides full-service pet-friendly camping with electricity, water hookups, and cabin options for those preferring amenities. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground near Alamogordo also welcomes pets at both tent and RV sites with electric and water hookups. Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park in Ruidoso offers additional pet-friendly options with picnic tables and full hookup sites.
The Lincoln National Forest setting provides excellent opportunities for pet exercise, with several visitors reporting elk and deer sightings along Forest Road 568. The road conditions on FR 568 can be challenging but most vehicles manage the terrain by driving cautiously, though some reviewers recommend higher clearance vehicles during winter months. Sites fill quickly during peak seasons, with multiple private pull-offs available for those seeking quieter locations away from occasional OHV traffic. Cloudcroft's small-town amenities are just minutes away, providing supplies and services for campers and their pets. Cell service is generally strong throughout the area, particularly at higher elevation sites, allowing campers to stay connected while enjoying the forested mountain setting with their pets.
"They had a dog park, laundry room, clean showers and bathroom. The pools was closed but looked perfect! Thanks for such a great experience!"
"In direct contrast to the White Sands backcountry camping which offers absolutely zero thrills and access to luxuries, the White Sand KOA is a great place to stay for those wanting some of the comforts"
"It was a short drive off the main road to get to the camp. The spot I found felt pretty secluded despite there being a lot of other campers in the area."
"You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it."
$45 - $70 / night
"I think the ease of picking a spot that worked for our situation, the clean park and bathrooms and friendly staff and neighbors made it surprisingly one of the best RV experiences we’ve had."
"So close to everything, super clean PRIVATE bathrooms and the management is amazing and super attentive!"
$15 - $30 / night
"I like heat and live in New Mexico. Northern new Mexico, in the mountains, where no one needs air conditioning. "
"Very beautiful hidden away RV and Raised Primitive State Park full of marked and unmarked foliage and a nice museum reflecting on the surrounding area of New Mexico."
$18 / night
"No pets allowed on the petroglyphs trail so if you have animals you'll have to leave them."
"Has one handicap accessible & next to bathroom)."
"The good: beautiful tree coverage, trails that lead to town, road biking distance to town, daily short rains, wild mustangs walking right through our site, plenty of room."
"Good little spot away from traffic. Had some snow coverage in February that made everything look beautiful. Definitely a good stop!"
"Very close to neighbor RVs. But, nice and quiet. Dogs enjoyed the fenced dog park (although gravel). Full Hookups."
"I paid $35 night electric only then had to pay $5 water in my tank .only was a bit noisy next to the hiway and needs a little lightning around very dark . 2 dog areas was good location"
$45 - $65 / night
"It’s only a 30‑minute drive to White Sands National Park and Cloudcroft. The host is very responsive and helpful via call or text. They even provide sleds and wax for free to use at White Sands."
"The best qualities of the campground: awesome views -hookups -grill area and games + sleds to borrow -laundry -close to Lincoln National Forest and white sands and pistachioland!"
$32 / night
"I have seen mostly upper New Mexico and well when I found this area in comparison that or anything else near El Paso, I was more than a bit confused as to where I was."
"A very beautiful campground within about 6 miles out of Cloudcroft New Mexico. This is dispersed camping. Amenities include water, vault type toilets, picknic tables, fire rings, and a camp host."
"Off-road vehicles allowed. Very pretty spots!"
"The loop is not clear road all the way around like Google suggests, I tried to drive around the loop to get out and the dirt road stopped at one point on the way back down."
GuideWe were able to get in last minute for a two night stay. We stayed in Site 604. Pull through, level spot. Very close to neighbor RVs. But, nice and quiet. Dogs enjoyed the fenced dog park (although gravel). Full Hookups.
Location great for White Sands National Park, Cloudcroft, NM (Brewery up there at 9000 ft) and Las Cruces, NM.
ScoutThe staff was very friendly and helpful! They had a dog park, laundry room, clean showers and bathroom. The pools was closed but looked perfect! Thanks for such a great experience!
GuideOddly this popped up in my feed as a late 4th of July choice. Good God, no. I like heat and live in New Mexico. Northern new Mexico, in the mountains, where no one needs air conditioning.
Cooler times of the year, like mid-winter, I do recommend the area, particularly Dog Canyon, a great winter or early spring hike.
But for mid-summer? No, unless you're an infernal demon it's a bit warm those months.
GuideIt's a decent pull off from a random dirt road in New Mexico. You have to drop off into a slight ditch to get to the spot, about 3-4 inches I'd say. We were fine in a truck camper but it's something to consider. There was a decent amount of local trees traffic on the road, but we were far enough away from the highway that we couldn't hear much of any road noise. Literally just a patch of somewhat level gravel
ScoutStayed here recently and honestly loved how peaceful and quiet this RV park is. The sites are spacious with beautiful open New Mexico views, and check-in was simple and stress-free. It’s a perfect place if you want a calm, safe stop away from busy highways but still close enough to town for essentials. The atmosphere feels relaxed and welcoming, especially at night when the sky is full of stars. I would definitely stop here again for a comfortable and easy RV stay.
ScoutI was looking to get away from the heat in Albuquerque and maybe even do a little fishing. I picked a site next to the upper river (Rio Bonito). The water was clear and moving, but no sign of any fish. The river is more of a creek (expected for New Mexico), but still pretty. It was barely visible from my camp, but just a short hike away. 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. It was barely adequate the first day, but absolutely miserable the second day. I could easily connect to their router, but constantly got an error of “no internet service” and had to log off and on several times. I had limited shade at my site, but thankfully the AC kept the trailer cool enough, as it was nearly 90 degrees outside. The hosts were very nice and the park is kept pretty clean. No tents allowed, though.
GuideThe pictures I saw didn’t do this park justice. That’s a switch. Yeah, the RV spots are gravel. But it’s southern New Mexico. There is an actual spring here. The trees around it have a couple of Great Horned owls who have come out nightly. But it’s the New Mexico sunsets and stars that make this such a nice place. Good price for full hook ups, and John our host is a really nice guy
GuideBeautiful drive on Highway 82 west towards Cloudcroft. Stop at the roadside petting zoo!
Apache appeared to be the only campground of the three open in late September. Super nice hosts and well maintained - there were even trash cans and hand sanitizer in the restroom which was a nice touch.
The sites were relatively far apart and backed up into a nice wooded area.
Hardly anyone else there on a weeknight in September.
Strange animal noises at night!
ScoutVery beautiful hidden away RV and Raised Primitive State Park full of marked and unmarked foliage and a nice museum reflecting on the surrounding area of New Mexico. Everything above standards with wonderful staff. Was there with a friend and had an outstanding experience.
Forest camping near Mescalero provides access to the Sacramento Mountains with elevations between 6,500-9,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-75°F, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Winter brings snow to higher elevations, making some dispersed sites inaccessible from November through March.
Hike Dog Canyon Trail: At Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, the trail offers desert views and moderate terrain. "The Dog Canyon hike is excellent. Quiet and friendly!" according to Pam R., who visited in February 2025.
Explore Petroglyphs: Three Rivers Petroglyph Site has over 20,000 ancient rock carvings about an hour north of Mescalero. "Must see recreational site with 2 trails, 11 picnic areas with shelters and grills, and really clean restrooms," notes Rachel, who visited in August 2020.
Stargaze in the mountains: The dark skies of Lincoln National Forest provide excellent viewing. "The starry night skies are absolutely beautiful," writes Haven D. about Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, adding that it's "a fantastic spot to relax for a few days and soak in nature."
Wildlife watching: Look for native animals throughout the area. "We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road," reports Aly E. after camping at Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping.
Clean facilities: Many pet-friendly campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. "Bathrooms with shower are NEW, CLEAN, AND PRIVATE. Also provided is laundry room, small workout facility, sauna, gathering pavilion," says Phillip W. about Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park in Ruidoso.
Temperature variety: The region offers options for both cool mountain air and desert warmth. "If you want to stay in a mountain retreat but close to downtown Ruidoso, NM then this is a perfect place to be. Large abundant pine trees provide lots of shade," adds Phillip W. about Midtown Mountain.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear high-desert skies create prime conditions for night sky viewing. "Large sites, Good wifi with booster (Verizon and AT&T). Pets allowed. Fun things to do nearby. Quiet and peaceful. Wonderful view of the night sky," writes HOLLY about Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.
Easy access to White Sands: Many campgrounds serve as base camps for the national park. "About 20 minutes to white sands, clean bathrooms, well kept," says Kristen about Alamogordo / White Sands KOA.
High winds in spring: March brings challenging conditions to the area. "BEWARE: March is 'Windy season'. We got caught on the first day of it I think! Big gusty winds at night for us. The drive there can get dangerous," warns Nicholas about Alamogordo/White Sands KOA.
Summer thunderstorms: Afternoon rainfall is common in mountain areas. "Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms & showers in the summer months," advises Patrick H. about Deerhead Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mescalero, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mescalero, NM is Alamogordo / White Sands KOA with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mescalero, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 97 dog-friendly camping locations near Mescalero, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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