🌝 2024 Solar eclipse: Book now for 4/8

The best camping near Lincoln National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lincoln National Forest adventure.

87% (28 reviews)
87% (28 reviews)

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Lincoln National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Book externally

Public campgrounds in the park
Book externally

Stay at a public campground in Lincoln National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Lincoln National Forest

95%
(191)

Camp Rio

59 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents9 acres ¡ Mayhill, NM
Camp Rio, formerly named Camp @ Cloudcroft is located in beautiful SE New Mexico! The park is surrounded by thousands of acres of the Lincoln National Forest. The forest is laced with small villages, picturesque roads, riding, hiking, golf, and walking trails. Small valleys, surrounding mountains, racing streams, wildlife, birds, mountain glens and outdoor activities are available to Camp Rio guests. The small towns around us are Mayhill, Cloudcroft, Weed, and Pinion. These towns have scheduled activities such as arts and craft fairs, car shows, bluegrass festivals, dog shows, and Lumberjack days. Additional day trips to Alamogordo, Capitan (Smokey the Bear), Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Lincoln (Billy the Kid), Ruidoso (skiing), Sunspot (National Solar Observatory, Truth or Consequences (Hot Springs) and White Sands National Monument! Guests enjoy our upgraded free wifi to have the best of both worlds, surrounded by beautiful nature, while still being able to connect with family/friends/work. Our location is superb to use as a base camp for numerous attractions as a centralized location to have many adventures.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$35
 / night
93%
(28)

Timberon NM Golf & RV Camping Site

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents2 acres ¡ Timberon, NM
Timberon New Mexico is considered a small peaceful retirement community. The town is located within the Sacramento Mountains on the southern edge of the Lincoln National Forest. The town has a 9-hole golf course, lodge, pool, church, airstrip and a volunteer fire department. Guests in the area can enjoy many activities such as camping, fishing, swimming, golfing, hiking, biking, ATV/UTV, winter activities, local restaurant and two well equipped stores for groceries and other camping and RVing accessories. Check out Timberon.org for town details.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$37
 / night
100%
(4)

Mars Research Base (MRB)

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents40 acres ¡ Boles Acres, NM
Nestled amid the breathtaking mountains near Alamogordo, New Mexico, our off-grid camping haven is a gateway to the untamed beauty of the desert. Campers can enjoy the serenity of nature while being just a stone's throw away from the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, offering fantastic hiking opportunities. Whether you choose to pitch a tent or park your RV, our property is the perfect base for outdoor adventures, complemented by wildlife, mesmerizing sunsets, and the warmth of a campfire shared with friends.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$25
 / night
99%
(41)

Edge of the Rez

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents4 acres ¡ Mescalero, NM
Learn more about this land:Its dark, try to setup your camp before the sunsets. No light pollution unless there is a full moon. We are a primitive site with safe well water drawn from a sandstone bed. Walking distance to National Forest and 8 miles from Cloudcroft.  Free-roaming horses, elk, mule deer, whitetail, turkey, and all critters in between. Awesome sunsets and perfect for stargazing.  
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
100%
(42)

Sugarhill Campgrounds🐞🙏

1 site ¡ RV, Tent4 acres ¡ Mescalero, NM
Sugarhill Campground is beautifully located on the Homelands of the Mescalero Apache.  You will experience fresh mountain air in the cool pines, Native American Cuisine offerings and campfire storytelling. Enjoy nearby tourist attractions - St Joseph's Catholic Church, Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, White Sands National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns, Space Hall of Fame, Historic Lincoln NM, Summer Horse RacingFitness Enthusiasts can enjoy mountain trail hiking, biking, golfing, disc golf, skiingLearn more about this land:Sugar Hill woodworks is nestled in the cool pines in the Mescalero Apache Indian reservation. Always nice meeting new friends and hearing their stories 😊..
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
100%
(1)

Tularosa Vineyards & Winery

4 sites ¡ RVs10 acres ¡ Tularosa, NM
We are a winery and vineyard that offers RV parking, with 20/30/50 electrical hook ups. We have a tasting room and retail shop, our hours currently are 12-5 daily CLOSED on TUESDAY. Our Estate grown wines are produced and bottled on our site. We have pistachio trees and pecan trees, tranquil property that offers a beautiful redwood deck enclosed with Ivy outdoor patio with tables and chairs. Attractions located nearby include White Sands 30 miles away and Ruidoso. RV Parking Pad with 20/30/50 Electricity is $40 / night Dump station available for $20 Bring your picnic, we do not have food.
Pets
Trash
from 
$40
 / night
97%
(37)

Sugarhill Woodworks

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Mescalero, NM
Learn more about this land:Nice outdoor views with elk usually in the yard in the early mornings, outdoor grills available outdoor fire pits available. Very nice view of the church, and we have a homemade zipline!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
98%
(102)

Quail Run Tiny Guesthouse

2 sites ¡ Lodging1 acre ¡ Alamogordo, NM
Quail Run was delivered to us June 10th 2020. In decorating the house I wanted it to have the feel of the Old West so it is rustic and cozy at the same time. The outside was finished with American cedar and corrugated metal giving it a modern twist on the old west. Inside you'll find neutral tones, curtains made with from burlap bags, kitchen sink which is actually a galvanized pail. There are other surprises in the bathroom which is quite ample. Upstairs in the loft is a memory foam mattress, quilts, fluffy pillows and two small Windows which offer a pleasant cross breeze. Also displayed outside on the fence is an old saddle which has seen better days. It was a gift from a Mescalero Apache fellow whose parents found that saddle in the woods in Mescalero in the 1950s. Although it's not beautiful I consider it a treasure. Make sure you take a look while you're here. Once the house was delivered we went to town adding our own touches to the decor, actually reworking the kitchen and finishing all the wood. The fellow who built it also delivered it from Denver for us, set it up, and built a ramp right on site. We rewarded him with a spaghetti dinner and sent brownies later, hahaha! Our tiny house is a little beauty and very popular! We hope you visit soon!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$79
 / night
Booked 1 time

Midtown Mountain Campground and RV

32 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres ¡ Ruidoso, NM
Midtown Mountain Campground and RV is one of the top 5 RV Parks and Campgrounds in New Mexico, as rated by RV Life Magazine. We have the fastest WiFi in any RV Park in New Mexico. And we are one of the top destination locations in the Nation! Ruidoso New Mexico has it all from horse racing, casinos, hiking, fishing, shopping and much more!!! Midtown Mountain Campground and RV Park is at it's center. Come stay here and get out there!!!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45.75
 / night
100%
(1)

Stetson Hideout

9 sites ¡ RVs, Tents3 acres ¡ Capitan, NM
This property is expansive and flat. a perfect spot for tents and RVs. It's a peaceful and quiet way to relax under the stars. Its central location is perfect for visits to Ruidoso, Billy the Kid Country, Lincoln and Fort Staton. We offer tipis, small tents (nice for couples), and larger tents for those who like a little more room.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night
100%
(6)

Cienega Arroyo Ranch

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents740 acres ¡ Ruidoso Downs, NM
On a working ranch, this campsite is located up a secluded arroyo off of the Hondo Valley and Rio Ruidoso in San Patricio, NM. This ranch is nearly 1400 acres total that is available for exploring and wildlife watching. During wildlife watching, it is possible that you could see roadrunners, squirrels, coyotes, rabbits, hawks, deer, elk, lizards, foxes, and many different types of song birds. A road south of the campsite is available for hiking down.Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs are just over a 20 minute drive from this campsite. Historic Lincoln and Fort Stanton are a quick drive from this area as well. The Hurd Gallery can be visited by driving down the highway a couple miles. A fishing spot open to the public on the Rio Ruidoso is available for fishing just a few miles down the highway as well. It has been reported that this arroyo contained a cienega many years ago which was a marshy area fed by a spring, before groundwater wells ran it dry. Most cienegas are now extinct in the southwest. Sheep and Firewood were the main commodities produced off of this ranch before cattle became dominant. NM State Land is 640 of these acres which requires an annual permit for recreational use. 
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$22
 / night
98%
(125)

Stargazers Mountain Camping Retreat

4 sites ¡ Tents5 acres ¡ Nogal, NM
Learn more about this land: We have sites available for bringing your own tent or car/truck camping. We have a port-o-potty. Beautiful 360 views on top of a Mesa. Wildlife is all about. 420 Friendly.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night

The best camping near Lincoln National Forest guide

Overview

About

Lincoln National Forest is a delight for the senses! Gaze upon cacti, smell the spruce at the top of the Sierra Blanca mountains, and feel the cool water on your skin relaxing at Sitting Bull Falls. With a range of elevation comes a range of activities; trails for both beginner and experienced hikers or hop on your horse and explore Dog Canyon Trail that traverses up over 2,000 feet (gnarly!). Camping is cushy and available year round, allowing you to experience the vast array of wildflowers at Bluff Springs in the springtime, or surf the snow in the winter at Ski Apache. With scenic mountain views, ranger programs to brush up on the area, and easy access to the town of Ruidoso, Lincoln is a mountain lovers dream without the crowds!

Nearby attractions

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is a breathtaking destination offering unforgettable camping experiences beneath starlit skies, thrilling hikes through rugged peaks, and a chance to uncover ancient petroglyphs.

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Hipcamp is the most comprehensive resource for beautiful private campsites.

Discover and reserve tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping.

Download the Hipcamp App

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.