Lincoln National Forest near Sunspot, New Mexico offers dispersed camping at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet, creating a significant temperature difference from nearby desert regions. Forest Road 568 provides access to numerous free campsites where temperatures typically range from 40-75°F during summer months. The area features a mix of pine forests and mountain meadows with several accessible trails connecting camping areas.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: A short trail near Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping connects to multiple water features. "Awesome overnight stay at Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping... the spring waterfall was great. Forest Ranger was super helpful. Dispersed camping mark as dots along forest roads on map at Bluff Springs," notes camper Sam M.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to spot local wildlife throughout the mountain forest. "We didn't go too far in but plenty of sites available and didn't see a single other soul. Easily accessible and had vaulted toilets available. Saw plenty of wildlife including elk, wild turkey, and mule deer," reports Morgan E. from Lower Karr Canyon.
Mountain biking: Several forest roads and trails accommodate mountain bikes, though some routes require advanced skills due to terrain. "A very beautiful campground within about 6 miles out of Cloudcroft New Mexico. Wild mustangs are seen regularly, elk and mule deer are abundant also," shares Jamie P. from Deerhead Campground.
What campers like
Cool summer temperatures: The elevation provides relief from desert heat with temperatures typically 15-20 degrees cooler than surrounding areas. "This place was an unexpected blessing in our NM trip. You can't deny the stark temp difference coming from Roswell to LNF. We parked on the side of a hill with the tall trees up the sunset and wind. Never felt so in tune with nature," writes Richard T. about his experience at Forest Rd 568.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions with clear views of the Milky Way. "The starry night skies are absolutely beautiful. Facilities are decent—nothing to complain about. Strong cell service with both Verizon and T-Mobile," notes Haven D. about Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.
Pet-friendly environment: Most dispersed camping areas welcome pets with ample hiking opportunities. "We travel with our dogs, and the gravel is large, and the dogs struggled to find potty spots. Hosts were nice, and the campground was well maintained," comments Sarina about Alamogordo White Sands KOA, highlighting the importance of ground surface for pet-friendly camping near Sunspot.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many forest roads require careful driving, particularly after rain. "The road through the forrest was enough to take your breath away but little did we know that where we camped would be the peak of our week long trip. We parked on the side of a hill with the tall trees up the sunset and wind," shares Richard T. about Forest Rd 568.
Weekend crowds: Summer weekends see significantly higher usage at most sites. "Been camping here several times a year and it just keeps getting busier and busier. Need to find a new place!" warns Manuel P. about Bluff Springs, suggesting weekday visits when possible.
Weather variations: Mountain weather can change rapidly with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer. "We went in the middle of June during a heat wave that was hitting the southwest United States, but was really able to enjoy the park and surrounding hiking during the morning and afternoons," notes Andrew S. about his stay at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Short hikes: Several family-friendly trails under 1 mile exist near camping areas. "There's a small waterfall that we could see and hear from our campsite and a creek for for kiddos to play in. Its a free range area so cows are all over the place which was fun to see," shares Jeanie P. from her experience at Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping.
Picnic areas: Designated picnic spots with tables are available at established campgrounds. "Beautiful area near town. Site is quiet (minus the host's generator) and there is a nice, short trail surrounding the site. Clean toilets, fire wood available for sale by host, and plenty of flat, soft areas for tents," recommends Rachel H. about Saddle Campground.
Wildlife education: Bring field guides to identify local species with children. "After half a week of boondocking we were in need of showers and laundry. This was our first time at a KOA. It was clean, quiet, and extremely convenient to White Sands National Park. The staff were super helpful and friendly. Our kids enjoyed the playground," says Elena C. about her family's experience at a nearby campground.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many forest roads have limited turnaround space for larger vehicles. "This was a beautiful location, near the town of Cloudcroft. We enjoyed the cooler weather up in the mountains. 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," warns Violeta A. about Forest Rd 568.
Water management: No hookups mean careful water conservation is necessary at dispersed sites. "One of our favorites. 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. Beautiful tree coverage, trails that lead to town, road biking distance to town, daily short rains," shares TheFoxphire F. about their Forest Road 568 experience.
Leveling challenges: Most dispersed sites require careful setup due to uneven terrain. "BLM land with spots to camp. No amenities. Mostly clean but some trash and glass too. The state park has some nice trails," notes Christopher P. about Dog Canyon, a popular area for pet-friendly camping near Sunspot.
