Lincoln National Forest provides dispersed camping areas across mountainous terrain near Weed, New Mexico. The region sits at elevations between 6,500-9,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between seasons and day-to-night transitions. Many tent campsites near Weed, New Mexico require preparation for wind conditions common at higher elevations, particularly in spring months when gusts can exceed 30 mph.
What to do
Hiking from campsites: Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area connects to some of the best hiking trails around Ruidoso, including Big Bonito Trail and Argentina Trail. A camper noted, "Good base camp for some of the best hiking around Ruidoso (Big Bonito Trail, Argentina Trail, etc.)."
Stargazing opportunities: The higher elevation camping areas provide exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. At Monjeau Campground, one visitor reported, "I have never seen so many stars. It is a beautiful scene, there are a lot of trees burned down but we saw wild horses, deer, and massive dropping either of Elk or Bear."
Wildlife watching: Morning and evening hours offer the best chances for wildlife sightings. One camper at Monjeau Campground observed, "We saw wild horses, deer, and massive dropping either of Elk or Bear." Cedar Creek Recreation Area provides access to trail systems where wildlife frequently appears at dawn and dusk.
What campers like
Secluded camping experiences: Lower Karr Canyon Campground offers a more isolated experience with effort required to access sites. A visitor described it as "a very secluded experience despite being so close to Cloudcroft/Alamogordo. Highly recommended if you want a no-frills campsite that will make you work a bit to get to it and then some more to settle in."
Temperature relief: Higher elevation camping areas provide cooler conditions during hot months. At James Canyon Campground, one camper reported, "Surrounding area was up to 110 and was 85 when we pulled in here and thankfully down to 55 at night."
Primitive sites with basic amenities: Many campers appreciate the balance between rustic settings and minimal infrastructure. At Lower Karr Canyon, a camper noted, "The campsite itself is rustic, no amenities other than the pit toilet which is just fine."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to several campgrounds requires driving on rough forest roads. For Lower Karr Canyon, a visitor explained, "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. Most cars should be able to make it if driven with care, though."
High winds can impact tent camping: Many camping areas sit on exposed ridges or mountain slopes. At Skyline Campground, a camper warned, "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 and there is not a ton of shade but there is some!"
Cell service limitations: Communications can be spotty or nonexistent. At James Canyon, one reviewer mentioned, "None of the area had cell coverage, however an occasional text would get through." For Lower Karr Canyon, "being deep in the canyon means that there's no cell signal unless you hoof it a fair bit up a hill."
Tips for camping with families
Group-friendly sites: Slide Group Campground offers dedicated facilities for family gatherings. One visitor shared, "We have rented Slide Campground several times for group RV & tent camping. It features vault toilets if you need them, a tent area, a very large covered pavilion for those rainy days, large firepit area, cooking grills & a large parking lot for RVs & kids to play."
Creek access for children: Several campgrounds feature small streams ideal for supervised play. At Upper Bonito, a reviewer commented, "It's a nice area to spend with another person and even with kids, restrooms are clean, there's some privacy if you find a good spot."
Consider noise factors: Some campgrounds are positioned near roads with traffic noise. One James Canyon camper advised, "This site is right next to the highway, it feels very secluded. There are lots of pine trees which is great for hammock campers like us and there are mountains to either side of you which help a lot with keeping the wind out. There is some noise from the road as cars pass, but at night the traffic was very light and didn't bother us at all."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV site availability: Many campgrounds have minimal spaces for vehicles over 20 feet. A James Canyon camper with a small trailer noted, "There are only two sides when you can accommodate an RV. A couple folks parked in the parking lot overnight. Both RV sites are back in. A little bit of extra work is required to back the trailer down to go to one of the two sites."
Size restrictions for mountain camping: Larger rigs face limitations on forest roads and in campgrounds. James Canyon has particular constraints: "Much over 22' would be difficult," and "Small Riggs only."
Level pads can be scarce: Many tent camping sites near Weed, New Mexico have uneven parking areas. A visitor observed, "very slanted" conditions at Skyline Campground despite its panoramic views.
