CAMPING IN THE LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST
Smokey Bear Ranger District - 575-257-4095
The Lincoln National Forest in the Smokey Bear and Sacramento districts includes over 700,000 acres of
forest for outdoor recreation. There are a number of developed (or established) and dispersed campsites in these two areas. The following
DEVELOPED CAMPSITES have fire rings and camp hosts:
South Fork Campground: Family camping at 7500 feet. Campground host between May 15 and Sept 15.
- Facilities: 60 tent/RV campsites with picnic tables, fire grills, drinking water, flush toilets.
- Features: Two handicapped sites. Hiking trails, with trailhead parking.
- Directions: Highway 48 9 miles out of Ruidoso to Highway 37 to Bonito Lake turnoff. Continue 5 miles to campsite.
Three Rivers Campground: Lower elevation (6000') campground. Good winter camping, Open year round.
- Facilities: 14 tent/RV campsites with picnic tables, fire grills, vault toilets.
- Features: The Rivers Petroglyph Site, Flowing creek. Hiking trails. Beautiful views of Sierra Blanca.
- Directions: Highway 70 to Alamogordo, Highway 54 north 17 miles to Three Rivers turnoff,
then 15 miles.
Cedar Creek Recreation Area: Camping areas for group camping and a day-use picnic area. Reservations required. 575-257-4095
- Facilities: Three group camping areas and 23 picnic sites for tent/RV with picnic tables,
grills, drinking water, vault toilets.
- Features: Hiking trails. Fitness trail. Pavilion
- Directions: Turn left at Smokey Bear Ranger Station on Mechem Dr., then 1.5 miles on
Cedar Creek road.
Oak Grove Camping Area: Developed camping off of Highway 532. Not recommended for RV over 18 feet. Elevation 8400 feet. Open May 15 to September 15.
- Facilities: 30 campsites with picnic tables, grills, vault toilets, with No drinking water available.
- Features: Windy Point Vista and Ski Apache nearby.
- Directions: Highway 48 to ski area road. Watch for signs.
Monjeau Lookout Camping Area: Developed tent camping at 9,500 feet. Campground typically
hosts May 1 to November 1
- Facilities: 4 sites with vault toilets, picnic tables, fire grills and No drinking water available.
- Features: Fire Lookout Tower, panoramic views, and hiking trails
- Directions: HWY 48 north 4 miles to a left on NM 532 to Forest Road 117 follow for 5 miles.
Skyline Camping Area: Developed tent camping at 9,000 feet. Campground typically
hosts from May1 to November 1
- Facilities: 17 sites with vault toilets, picnic tables, fire grills, and NO dirinking water available.
- Features: Monjeau Lookout Tower is nearby, panoramic views, and the notable Crest Trail hiking trail.
- Directions: HWY 48 north 4 miles to a left on NM 532 to Forest Road 117 follow for 4 miles.
During high fire danger periods, the following DISBERSED CAMPSITES may have open flame restrictions in place
and are always PACK-IT-IN, PACK-IT-OUT areas:
- Argentina/Bonito Trailhead
- Eagle Creek
- Top of Capitan’s
