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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.

Some areas are closed due to the Little Bear Fire. The Bacca Campground on 380 toward Lincoln, 8 miles east of Capitan is open. All Capitan Mountains are open to dispersed camping and hiking.

South Fork Campground: Closed until further notice with significant fire damage. 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: Open.  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: Open. 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: Open. 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: Closed until further notice with significant fire damage. 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: Closed until further notice. 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

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