Lincoln National Forest offers several equestrian camping options near Ruidoso, New Mexico. This mountain destination sits at elevations between 6,500 and 12,000 feet with pine forests and alpine meadows. Weather can change rapidly, with summer monsoon thunderstorms common from July through September and winter snow possible between November and March.
What to do
Mountain hiking trails: At Three Rivers Campground, trails connect to the White Mountain Wilderness with varied terrain. "This place is unique as it is one of the few places you can camp on the Western edge of Sierra Blanca / the White Mountain Wilderness. Tons of hiking opportunities with 3 separate trails originating at the campground," notes Jorge G. about Three Rivers Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Baca Campground offers opportunities to spot local wildlife in a forested setting. According to Jamie P., "I nearly always see lots of wildlife. The campsite s are large and widely spaced." Nikki B. adds about West Mesa Trailhead BLM: "Although I did not see anything, there were signs of wildlife everywhere."
Creek exploration: Visit seasonal water features at Upper Bonito when water levels permit. "Creek near by that didn't have much water in it. But over all pretty (Dry) Area," shares Jaedee B. about water conditions, while another camper mentions "We had a great night drove through the entire area and off roads to find a nice quiet area we had our son and two big doggos and had plenty of space for them to roam."
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Upper Karr Canyon Campground offers tent sites away from crowds. Carson P. reports, "I hiked into the trees a bit so there weren't super close neighbors. Plenty of downed trees for gathering firewood. There's an old logging road that makes for an easy hike." Upper Karr Canyon Campground provides this nature escape.
High-elevation views: Skyline Campground sits at a mountain peak with expansive vistas. "It's absolutely stunning to camp at the peak of a mountain. You have 360 views of the region, but beware, the wind can get quite torrential," warns Michael. Lev adds about Skyline Campground: "All in all a decent one night or two campground, very close to the road, and very slanted."
Year-round access: Some horse campgrounds near Ruidoso stay open throughout winter. A camper at Three Rivers notes, "I have been to this campground many time. It's one of my favorites because it's open all year!" though winter conditions may require preparation.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mountain conditions can change rapidly. "We got hit with a TON of crazy wind which made our tent bend all the way to the ground. We ended up seeking shelter in our car. We woke up to a bunch of snow and decided to drive out," warns Leah W. about Baca Campground.
Road conditions: Access to some equestrian camping areas requires careful driving. "DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HERE IN WET CONDITIONS!" cautions one Baca visitor after getting stuck. Another camper at Three Rivers warns: "Good little camp ground..stow your food away from tent had a bear visit while there..also the road getting there is prone to flash floods."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed horse camping locations have minimal amenities. Upper Bonito has vault toilets but no water. West Mesa Trailhead has no facilities but allows free camping. Guebara Tank Camp has no toilets but allows horseback access.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly locations: Upper Bonito Recreation Area works well for families. "It's a nice area to spend with another person and even with kids, restrooms are clean, there's some privacy if you find s good spot," recommends Alex G. about Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area.
Wildlife precautions: Teach children about bear safety at Three Rivers Campground. "Good little camp ground..stow your food away from tent had a bear visit while there," warns one camper, highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Accessible trails: Some locations offer easier hiking routes for families with children. At Upper Karr, "There's an old logging road that makes for an easy hike. It leads into a meadow with a very small pond which I'm sure would be good for wildlife viewing if you sat there long enough."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Stone Mountain RV Resort accommodates larger trailers and RVs with full hookups. "Several permanent trailers here, but we got a good site (#14 which was marked as 21). Outdoor fire pit and gas grill available. 30 or 50 amp ($10 more for 50). FHU. Friendly staff," shares Dennis P. about Stone Mountain RV Resort.
Work-friendly locations: Some campgrounds offer cell service for digital nomads. "It was late November and cold so I stayed where I had electric service... Good cell phone service. I plan on staying for a full week and working from here," mentions Teresa T. about West Mesa Trailhead.
Space constraints: Not all campgrounds accommodate large trailers. At Three Rivers, one visitor noted: "We decided to leave our 38foot pull camper down at the petroglyph site and drive up to see if it was going to be easy for us to pull our trailer up. It would be easy except after a heavy storm where the road was flooded and there are only 2 sites we saw that would hold our camper."
