Established Camping
Cedar Creek (sam Tobias)
Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias) is located near Ruidoso in the Lincoln National Forest. The area features forested terrain with elevations that can influence temperatures, typically ranging from 30°F in winter to 80°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and the Hubbard Museum of the American West, offering additional activities for campers.
Description
Overview
Located on the outskirts of Ruidoso, Cedar Creek provides a wonderful space for groups visiting for the day or staying overnight. With a picnic shelter and three group campsites, the recreation area is ideal for an outing in Lincoln National Forest. A popular pastime is is hiking and mountain biking along the scenic multi-use trails adjacent to the Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground. There are opporunities to see a number of different wildlife, including Mule deer and Elk in the area.
Recreation
Hiking and biking are among the most popular activities here, with options like the T90 fitness Trail which extends 1.3 miles and includes exercise stations. Bilking trails T120 A-D and T121 A& B are also nearby. Also we have an expert-only downhill mountain bike trail, located near the water tower to the east of the Campgrounds. The trail ends at the picnic area. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times while hiking. Dogs are not allowed on the Fitness trail.
Facilities
The group picnic shelter offers drinking water and accessible vault toilets. Non-sheltered picnic tables are open to the general public. The group campgrounds range from 60 to 100 person capacities and the group picnic shelter fits up to 40 people. Each site comes with accessible picnic shelters, campfire rings, drinking water vault toilets and grills. Picnic Pavilion is for day use only. If you would like to camp overnight please book one of the group campgrounds.
Natural Features
Cedar Creek is perched along its namesake, Cedar Creek at a 7,000 foot elevation. Lincoln National Forest, located in south-central New Mexico, is most notable as the birthplace of the original Smokey Bear.
Nearby Attractions
Ruidoso is a delightful town with quaint shops, restaurants and art galleries. If picnickers wish to camp overnight, they can head to Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground.
Location
Cedar Creek (sam Tobias) is located in New Mexico
Directions
From Ruidoso on Mechem Drive, take Cedar Creek Road west .5 miles. Cedar Creek is the first recreational area located on the right (north).
Address
901 MECHEM DR.
Ruidoso, NM 88345
Coordinates
33.3613889 N
105.6847222 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageLast on 5/17/25
AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Detours Nearby
Grindstone lake
2 min away
West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed
26 min away
Drive Time
- 2 hrs from Las Cruces, NM
- 2 hrs 8 min from El Paso, TX
- 2 hrs 39 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 2 min from Santa Fe, NM
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageLast on 5/17/25
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
