Lincoln NF - Forest Service Road 64 Dispersed Camping accommodates pets in an area featuring free camping, fire rings, and accessible drive-in sites. Located south of Cloudcroft at over 9,400 feet elevation, this primitive camping destination offers pet owners dispersed sites across open meadows and shaded forested areas. Timberon Golf & RV Campsite provides another pet-friendly option with water and electric hookups, trash service, and a golf course setting. Circle Cross RV Park maintains roomy sites for dogs and their owners with full hookups including electricity, water, and sewer connections. Many campers report seeing wildlife including elk herds, mule deer, and wild turkeys while camping with their dogs in the Lincoln National Forest.
Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping features pet-friendly camping along a creek with a small waterfall where dogs can cool off during summer months. The unpaved access roads require careful driving but most vehicles can reach the camping areas without difficulty. When camping with pets at higher elevations, prepare for significant temperature drops at night, even during summer months when daytime temperatures reach the 80s but nights can dip into the 50s. Dogs must remain leashed in most areas to protect local wildlife and prevent encounters with free-range cattle that frequently pass through camping areas. No cell service exists at most dispersed sites, making it important to have emergency plans for pet care. The Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground provides a more developed alternative with pet-friendly sites and accessible trails.
$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."
"Lots of abandoned and run down houses on Dog Canyon road leading to the area made it feel a bit sketchy. But in reality a lovely, quiet spot with great views of the nearby mountains."
"Dog friendly."
"We arrived in Cloudcroft NM around 7pm on Thursday the 6th got some last minute supplies at all sups gas station and headed to the ranger station just down the 130 Cox Canyon Hwy to get a map of the park"
"This is a quiet area tucked away in Lincoln National Forest. It's not too far from Cloudcroft, NM so it's easy to resupply on water, snack, etc."
"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"
$35 / night
"The Timberon Golf & RV site is new to the Dyrt but has an excellent location with something for everyone nearby. Check them out and make sure to leave a review on the Dyrt!"
"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."
"nearby within walking distance. Sugar Pines RV Park is 10 minutes away and offers dump and fill for $10."
"We stayed at a spot on a meadow about 4-5 dispersed sites south of Sunspot Highway. Good times."
"Beautiful area off Davis drive, so many areas to camp. Some are restricted to motor vehicles but just keep driving down the gravel road and you will find something."
$123 - $154 / night
"Secluded, good fire pit, very dog friendly and a night sky to swoon over."
"Lower Karr Canyon campground is about 6 miles from the main highway at High Rolls, NM. The last 2 miles or so being rather rough dirt."
"You just have to look around to find the best one. Be aware of others though. We did have a family show up and start shooting guns in the area without any concern for others around them."
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
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.
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!
RangerWhile some of the sites are a little close together, the campground itself is very spacious (15 acres!) with a large dog park and a new building for activities. The bathhouse is a set of single bathrooms (one women’s, one men’s) with one toilet and one shower each, so I’d recommend using the bathroom in your rv if possible to avoid a line, but the bathrooms are very clean and feel like a bathroom you’d find inside someone’s home. Sites are placed far enough back from the road that there is very very minimal noise. The entire property was very quiet and peaceful, and Gail was a dream to work with.
My only complaint was the WiFi signal was very poor, and virtually unusable during the evenings—cell service is also minimal due to the location, but I was able to work remotely using my T-Mobile hotspot.
TravelerAs of May 2021, through end of Sep 2021, camping is BY RESERVATION ONLY, via reserveamerica.com.
The amenities of each campsite, as well as "driveway" length, are listed on that website.
All campsites have a picnic table and a fire ring with grill.
Only some have shade shelters.
Hydrant water is potable (except from blue hydrant at dump station).
Pets on leash (6' or less) at all times; lots of garbage cans to dispose of pet waste.
After recent rains, the park is strikingly green for being in the desert. The Nature Trail is a bit challenging, not having been reconstructed after the 2019 flood, but still offers a short easy hike to where there is flowing water prior to requiring you to clamber over boulders either up or down the canyon. The Dog Canyon Trail is steep -- bring lots of water! The Visitor Center is open each morning except Monday, and staffed by knowledgeable volunteers. Call the park phone # and listen to the recording to find if there are any changes.
At this time (through Sept 15) MASKS ARE REQUIRED in the VC and comfort station.
Volunteer camphosts keep the comfort station spotless. They also sell firewood for the Friends of Dog Canyon (cash only), and if the VC is not open can sell you an annual pass (also cash only). They will loan you a free sled/saucer for White Sands.
Glass containers are prohibited (outside your RV).
ATVs/OHVs are prohibited.
LegendI 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. Yes, it is a forest, but still I wasn't ready for how forest-like and amazing it was.
Driving out you have no cell signal at all. The roads are winding and you see a lot of livestock, then out of no where deer, big deer and elk! It is like a different planet from everything else and the deeper into Cloudcroft you get the more and more it starts looking more like Colorado than anything you would assume would be New Mexico.
The campground is no different! Large shade trees standing tall above the site, the ground below looking like it was cut from a different cloth than anything from all the miles you travel in any direction from this location. The temperatures itself even is different, cooler by about 15 to 20 degrees.
The camp is small and while they have a posting for RVs I don't see how they could easily fit in the spaces I saw. There are minimal amenities such as drinking water and vault toilets but no dump stations or hook ups.
It was very quiet when we were there although there were other campers, the sounds of everything around seemed to muffle any noise they could be making.
TIPS:
Don't plan on contacting anyone, staying here is a truly unplug and unwind experience.
Explore some of the hiking in the area. Lincoln National Forest has nearly 50 trails so there is something for everyone from short day hikes to long treks for backcountry camping and hiking.
The Lincoln National Forest region offers diverse camping experiences at elevations above 9,000 feet with dramatic temperature swings between day and night. Summer temperatures can reach 85°F during the day while dropping to below 50°F at night. Winter camping requires extensive cold-weather gear as nighttime temperatures frequently drop below freezing, especially at higher elevations where snow can accumulate from November through March.
Hiking with dogs: Forest Road 568 provides access to numerous trails where dogs can accompany owners through mixed conifer forests. "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," reports one camper at Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping.
Wildlife viewing: The Lincoln National Forest area hosts substantial elk populations, particularly visible during early morning and evening hours. A visitor to Dog Canyon noted: "Stayed for 3 days and only saw a few cars pass by that whole time. Felt very private and had plenty of space. Lots of beautiful birds and some bats flying around at dusk!"
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution and high elevation create exceptional night sky viewing conditions. A visitor at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground shared: "Stunning cliffs rise to the east, with a wide-open valley stretching beyond. The starry night skies are absolutely beautiful."
Temperature relief: The high elevation provides a welcome escape from summer desert heat. "We tent camped in mid September 2022 in the Lincoln National Forest south of Cloudcroft, NM off Forest Service Road 64. Over 9,400' and it got cold at night. Saw one elk and heard more bugling," noted a camper at Lincoln NF - Forest Service Road 64 - Dispersed Camping.
Cellular connectivity: Signal strength varies significantly between locations, with some sites offering surprisingly good coverage. A visitor to Dog Canyon reported: "Tmobile service was pretty good, mostly had 5G but did lose 5g service a couple of times. Starting to get hot in April!"
Privacy options: Most dispersed camping areas offer isolation for those willing to explore further. "We got a nice little private spot under a huge tree. There was lots of really nice people staying at the sites at the entrance, but if you go further you can find some privacy," shared a Forest Road 568 camper.
Access challenges: Many forest roads have seasonal conditions requiring careful navigation. A visitor to Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping advised: "Been camping here several times a year and it just keeps getting busier and busier. Need to find a new place!"
Weather preparation: The mountain climate can change rapidly, requiring campers to pack for multiple 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," reported a Forest Road 568 visitor.
Seasonal timing: Mid-summer offers the most moderate overnight temperatures, while spring and fall require additional cold-weather gear. A Dog Canyon reviewer cautioned: "This campsite was trashed. There was broken glass and trash everywhere. There were a lot of gravel spaces to stay at. It was very busy here and did not feel private."
Pet preparation: When bringing dogs to pet-friendly sites near Timberon, carry extra water as natural sources may be seasonal. "We arrived around 6 pm on a Tuesday evening. Took a right at the fork (sweet group campsite there but occupied) and stayed the night at a pull off to the left, about halfway up the hill," shared a Forest Road 568 camper.
Campground selection: For families seeking facilities, established campgrounds offer better amenities than dispersed sites. An Oliver Lee Memorial State Park camper reported: "We got there around dusk (on a Friday) and it was pretty full. We got one of the last spots, but they have a lot of versatile lots for camping needs. Bathrooms got the job done and had warm water."
Activity planning: Morning activities work best for families as afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer months. "This was a little pull-off area in a very populated National Forest. It can get pretty crowded so hiking in is important. The car-camping and RV camping is right on the road," noted a Bluff Springs visitor.
Site selection: Larger RVs should research access routes carefully before attempting forest roads. A camper at Alamogordo / White Sands KOA advised: "We paid extra for a site with swing, paver patio, table and chairs. Site was very large, private, and well worth the extra $. We had a great time, the only reason not 5 stars was overnight/early morning noise."
Power management: RV campers in dispersed areas should plan for self-sufficiency with no hookups available. "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," shared another KOA visitor.
Water pressure considerations: Some developed campgrounds have unusually high water pressure. An Alamogordo KOA visitor noted: "Local to everything in Alamogordo. Propane available, laundry, cabins, hot as hell showers, water pressure is really high at around 155 psi. So definitely bring a regulator."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Timberon, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Timberon, NM is Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 69 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Timberon, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 67 dog-friendly camping locations near Timberon, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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