The Lincoln National Forest region surrounding Timberon sits at elevations between 6,500 and 9,000 feet, creating significantly cooler temperatures than nearby desert areas. Summer highs typically range from 70-85°F while winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing with occasional snowfall. Most RV campgrounds near Timberon remain accessible via mountain roads that require careful navigation during winter months.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Just minutes from Cool Pines RV Park, visitors can access numerous trails throughout the Sacramento Mountains. "Great park with lots of activities within minutes. Very friendly and helpful staff," notes camper Caleb S.
Day trips to museums: The New Mexico Space Museum sits approximately 23 miles from many Timberon area campgrounds. "Hiking trails nearby and also planning a day of exploring the city of Alamogordo. Zoo, Space Museum and Train Depot only 23 miles away," reports Joseph W. who enjoyed the cooler mountain temperatures.
Fishing opportunities: The Rio Penasco River flows directly through The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park, offering accessible fishing. According to camper Chip, "The Rio Penasco River runs right through the park and offers the opportunity to catch a trout or 2. Local Mule deer and turkeys are no strangers here and visit frequently."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening wildlife sightings are common at many campgrounds in the region. "We took our 8 year old boy and he had such a great time and spotted some deer close to camp," shares Jessica U. about her stay at The Camp @ Cloudcroft.
Temperature relief: The elevation provides natural cooling during hot summer months. One Cool Pines visitor noted, "Just came from Midland Tx where it was around 98, today at Cool Pines RV Park 72° at 3pm in the afternoon."
Community amenities: Several campgrounds offer gathering spaces for socializing. William N. appreciated this at Cool Pines RV Park: "Beautiful resort with spacious sites and excellent amenities including laundry, bathroom/shower and beautiful community gathering building and fire ring. They even had home-made cinnamon roles and coffee in the community building."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Mobile coverage varies significantly by carrier across the mountain region. As one camper at Cool Pines noted, "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."
Limited winter operations: Several RV parks in the area close seasonally. Deer Spring RV Park in Mayhill operates from April through November, while others maintain year-round availability with reduced amenities during winter months.
Varying fire policies: Campfire regulations differ between properties, with some prohibiting open flames entirely. At Boot Hill RV Resort, fires are permitted in designated areas, while other parks enforce strict no-fire policies regardless of season.
Tips for camping with families
Free sled rentals: Some campgrounds near White Sands National Park offer complimentary sleds. According to visitors at Mountain Meadows RV Park, "They even provide sleds and wax for free to use at White Sands."
Stream access for kids: Several properties feature natural water features safe for supervised play. One family reported, "My daughters played in the stream that runs along side the camp" at The Camp @ Cloudcroft, which maintains a walking trail alongside the river.
Pet-friendly policies: Most RV campgrounds near Timberon welcome pets, though specific rules may apply. "The park is family friendly and offers live music at times during the summer months," notes a Camp @ Cloudcroft visitor, highlighting additional programming available for families.
Tips from RVers
Mountain road navigation: Access roads to Timberon area campgrounds involve significant elevation changes and curves. "Travelers with larger rigs should check ahead about mountain road conditions and site accessibility," advise experienced RV campers familiar with the area.
Site spacing considerations: RV site proximity varies significantly between properties. A camper at Slow Play RV Park noted the importance of proper site selection: "The site we had was #32 and was a gravel pull-thru and almost level. The bathrooms and showers were close by and very clean."
Electrical capacity: Timberon Golf & RV Campsite provides limited 30-amp hookups with water connections and sewer access. For those requiring 50-amp service, larger facilities in nearby communities offer upgraded electrical capacity for bigger rigs with multiple slide-outs.
