Lower Karr Canyon Campground, near Cloudcroft, New Mexico, is a fantastic spot for those seeking a quiet escape into nature. This place is all about seclusion, with plenty of sites tucked away in the trees, making it easy to find your own little slice of paradise.

The campground is known for its peaceful atmosphere, where visitors can enjoy the sounds of nature without the hustle and bustle of crowds. Campers have spotted wildlife like elk and mule deer, adding to the charm of the area. As one happy camper noted, “We didn’t see a single other soul,” which speaks volumes about the tranquility here.

You won’t find a lot of frills, but that’s part of the appeal. There are vaulted toilets for convenience, and you can have a campfire to roast marshmallows under the stars. Just remember to bring your own firewood, as there’s none available on-site. 

For those who love to hike, the surrounding area offers some great trails to explore. The dirt road leading to the campground is a favorite among visitors, especially in the fall when the foliage is stunning. Whether you're pitching a tent or just enjoying a day in the woods, Lower Karr Canyon is a solid choice for a peaceful getaway.

Lower Karr Canyon Campground has undeveloped campsites scattered above and below the Karr Canyon Picnic Area. Forest Road 63 is gravel and can be rough. Fire rings are available. Tent camping is allowed here and there are a number of lovely spots for you to choose from, all of which are accessible by walking in to the site from the parking area.

Lower Karr Canyon Campground

Lincoln National Forest is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Lincoln National Forest, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Lincoln National Forest and user-submitted reviews.

Lincoln National Forest

The Best Camping Near Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico

The Sacramento Mountains in NM are a beautiful place to camp and visit. I would recommend it to anyone. 

Always love NM

fairly quiet dirt road with camping spots all along it. Has hiking trails. 

one of my favorite roads to drive down in fall

We went for Labor Day weekend, we had a blast because we were able to stay secluded and enjoy it! Plenty of trees!

Labor Day trip

Fantastic spots. 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.

Secluded

Very remote and quiet. 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. 

Quiet and remote

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. 

  

The campsite itself is rustic, no amenities other than the pit toilet which is just fine. The sites are on the other side of a closed bridge, so you gotta carry your stuff a quarter of a mile or so for the sites furthest away from the parking area. Also, being deep in the canyon means that there's no cell signal unless you hoof it a fair bit up a hill. 

  

It's 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.

Photos of Lower Karr Canyon Campground

Real photos from real campers