Lincoln National Forest Reviews

The hubs and I went hiking in Lincoln today and loved every second of it. We did a loop with the Big Bonita trail, Little Bonita trail, Crest trail, and Argentina trail. Absolutely beautiful even in the previously burned areas. Amazing to see how Mother Nature recovers from such devastation.

If your a nature lover this is a great place to go....lots of oudoor activity. The temperature is wonderful and the air is so fresh. The drive through the mountain is very scenic..... you just can't get enough. Lots of places to pull in your RV and stay for awhile....very relaxing and fun!!!

Lincoln National Forest is huge. There are so many places to go and see within the forest that I am going to do smaller reviews of each place. If you ever get the opportunity, take a drive, prepare for some hikes and enjoy everything the forest has to offer.

Greatest Southwest clean air!!! Get a boost of mother nature herself and enjoy a great nature walk, listening to the birds and watching the deer etc...

Peace quite beautiful sunny October morning, past the Lake drove to Argentina Car park. Walked the trail. Drove back to the Horse stables. Filled my fresh water bottles from the ice cold stream, along the way. Drank crystal clear mountain fresh water, sat and walked the lake, watched all the birds a dark Royal Blue kind of bird? Deers, and more. Drove to Alto cafe for lunch. Great morning now nap time.

Beautiful vegetation, saw Elk, flowers, awesome views. Hiked in the White Mountain wilderness, had fun playing in the springs, smelling the ever green trees.

Tons of hiking trails are available for all levels of experience. Also enjoy the Smokey the Bear museum and grave site. A guide will give the entire story. Kids will enjoy this also. There are nearby places to eat and an Old Town to visit.

This area has something for everyone. Lots of hiking and beautiful scenery. Many different areas to explore. You will definitely see wildlife in any area that you decide to explore.

Love this area in the summer! Wether is always great,be ready for the afternoon shower. Staying outside of town is always my preference.

A beautiful drive through the mountains. We stopped along the way to read about the railroad and breathe in the clean air.

Go hike! The mountains are beautiful. Sadly some parts burned last year, but the White Mountain Wilderness still has great hiking areas that didn't burn such as Three Rivers, Argentina Canyon, Little Bonito, and Turkey Canyon. At the least, do an easy walk on the beautiful, piney Cedar Creek fitness trail right behind the Forest Service ranger station in Ruidoso.

It's a great park with a lot of space to hike and some space to camp, and the location it's really near town.

The Perk ridge trail is quite pretty. Be sure to go up T92 and down T93. 5 mile loop - moderate exertion.

So many areas to hike, sight see. If not a skier there is the Zip line, chairlift, etc. Lots of fun and great way to spend time out doors.

We hiked several trails over the course of a week, taking in the scenery, breathing in the fresh air, and looking for geocaches. There's very little to complain about - being in nature is a very contemplative thing - and we enjoyed it immensely.

The drive up 244 (towards Cloudcroft) through the forest and Mesacalero Apache Reservation is very beautiful and relaxing. There are several nice camping and picnic spots in the last few miles before you get to Cloudcroft. Spring and Summer offer the best driving. Ice and snow during the winter can make the drive tricky but nonetheless beautiful. Very relaxing drive.

We drove around it a bit, it was epic. Can't wait to visit this place in the winter when it's snowing.

Some folks never take the time to realize our world is so amazing, without our interference. When you sit in the Liconln forest and picnic, hike or just contemplate, you realize how much in this world is not under our control and never should be. Truly Beautiful!

I will never be able to put into words the joy I feel riding through the mountains so all I can say is that Lincoln NF is a great location for riding.

we cruised the back roads we went to cloudcroft and stopped at silver lake it snowed so we didnt stay wanted to fish as well but mother earth had different plans so we continued on dreaming of one day owning a peace of the land

Took a drive up to bonito lake nice drive went past the lake and took the loop to Nogal canyon it was a nice drive enjoyed the time/ weekend with the family... It was a great drive and enjoyed taking some family pictures off the hood of the truck...

We went with only 80$ you don't need allot of money to enjoy nature perfect for the kiddos. Definitely going back soon.

We love exploring the Lincoln National Forest, whether it's riding the motorcycle through on one of the forest roads or hiking on one of the trails. It's beautiful!

My husband and I hiked through the forest near Bonita Lake. We took the Argentina Trail, cut across, Little Bonita Trail and Big Bonita Trail! It was absolutely beautfiul! Took us about 4 hours because we were admiring the beauty! If you like to hike, but don't do it much, this was more of a moderate difficulty type trail vs. beginner. There is a lot of steep inclines and steep declines down, but we had SOOOOO much fun and would definitely do it again! A lot of people bring their horses out there, we ran into a few and it was really neat to see! Absolutely gorgeous views up there on those mountains! We even saw a horned toad lizard! Those are almost extinct in that area due to the big fire in June 2012.

We love this 1.3 mile walking trail located just behind the Forestry's Office. Provides safe and natural path close to home with beautiful flowers, lovely trees and some stations for strength training. This is a daily highlight during our visit to Ruidoso!

We took our rented Nissan Xterra up through the winding roads of the Lincoln National Forest...spent the entire day slowly cruising around and stopping to sight see. It was phenomenal! We exited the park around dusk, and I liked it so much I suggested we crawl through again in the moonlight...but hubby wouldn't have it. There are some tight spots where you just can't share the road. Glad we never got to that point- but the drive is well worth it and remains one of our happier memories from our trip out there.

Arriving in Ruidoso October 8, we have hiked three different trails in Lincoln National Forest and thoroughly enjoyed them. The weather has been wonderful, warm and sunny with cool nights. We have watched the trees go from green to yellow, orange, brown and red. Now it is raining leaves when the wind blows....so nice. Plus we witnessed the Super moon Sunday night!

Monjeau Peak offers the most beautiful view of the

Monjeau Peak offers the most beautiful sight of Whte Mountain Wilderness in the area.

white Mountain

Excellent get away for couple and families plenty to do or plenty of time to detox from the cell phone,tv, and work!

Surrounding the town of Ruidoso, this of the best national forests in New Mexico. The town offers several park access spots, and the hiking in the forest is very beautiful providing excellent high desert fauna and majestic ponderosa pines, as well as rock hunting!

We drove through the forest from Alamogordo through Cloudcroft. Such a beautiful drive! There are several charming stops along the way including the Big Apple Barn and the city of Cloudcroft. You also get to drive through a tunnel in the mountains. Worth a detour!

These were very nice cabins that were not real cabins but connected together like a hotel but everyone was so nice and the price and location were great and so were the owners. They gave us an upgrade and no rate change. Excellent.

When looking for a place to retire my husband and I made a trip to the Sacramento Mountains in central New Mexico. The closer we got my husband would repeat "Now this is what I'm talking about. This was in 1995. We lived here for six years before taking to the road in a forty foot motor coach to check out the rest of the country. We traveled nearly nine years and when it was time to settle down again we found no place better than the Lincoln National Forest and Ruidoso in particular. We have no lived here five years and don't plan to ever move again.

So many beautiful trails to pick from! Be sure and get a map from the Rangers station and pack water and weather gear

It is always nice to visit Ruidoso and spend time in the Lincoln National Forest. It was rainy this visit, but the mild temperatures made it worth the visit.

This National forest is well maintained and just a wonderful place to visit. It is a visitor friendly enviroment.

Beautiful place to drive, hike,explore! Highly recommended driving the sunspot scenic drive. The drive is relaxing with numerous cattle along the roadside. We got lucky to see Elk grazing in a park. Great place to visit and explore.

This was an unexpected pleasure driving across the state and we loved the scenery as well as the pace. Stopped en route at the "Old Apple Barn" for a balcony rest and apple pie, of course. Delicious!

I never come here and wonder if there are any animals close by. I know that it is just a matter of time before I see one. Our family cabin is surrounded by this beautiful place and I always look forward to coming--even if I come to work on the cabin. The trails are so neat and well organized. I was upset that the Ranger station was closed because I always go in and take cookies or cake to thank them for "watching my little piece of heaven!" This trip we encountered an entire skunk family and lots and lots of deer!

Beautiful place to see God's glory in His creation and His grace. Go there with your family and enjoy the time God has given you.

My wife and I were there for the rally in may we went for a long ride through the Forrest enjoying all the beauty nature has to offer will be back in September for golden aspen rally can't wait

Greenery all around, feels good even in 90 F of summer noon. Visited first time to the state of newmexico and lincoln.

Trail maps are a bit hard to interpret but so many of the trails loop together. Stop by the ranger station when they're open for the best possible advice.

You just can't beat a National Forest! Loved the drive I made through it and recommend it to all. Keep an eye out for lots of deer!

We hike the Forest almost everyday. There are a variety of trails ranging from easy to more difficult. One never knows what's waiting around the next bend, deer, elk or wild horses.

There is mountain biking, road biking, hiking, camping, fishing, and relaxing in this wonderful oasis away from the desert floor of TX/NM. Totally worth your time to cool off int he summer and chill out in the winter!

We hiked and bird-watched. There is a great deal of diversity on the forest, well worth multiple visits.

Perfect spot to set up a tent and camp . Fire pit are available on site, restroom, you get privacy as well.
Perfect to enjoy the outdoors

We stopped here in our drive up to Santa Fe and are very glad that we did. The Lincoln National Forest is huge and has great trails and views. We did a short trail since it was just by happenstance that were stopped here. But in the hour or so so, we saw lots of wildlife, flora and fauna and great views. This is a great place to hike and see all that nature has to offer.

Traveled by car saw wonderful country. Enjoyed the trip very diverse than country at home. Never met an unfriendly person the whole time in NM

Came to Ruidoso specifically to explore Lincoln National Forrest. Brought our side-by-sides and four wheeler's. Great times and friendly rangers.

I hiked around here last year with my family. I didn't travel the entirety of it as we had 3 children with us. The smaller trails, though, still allow you enough scenic views to leave you pleased and wanting more. Ultimately I would like to visit again for a lengthier stroll but I was satisfied with the parts I did see.

Beautiful and clean. Well maintained and good signage along the route. Can't wait to go back and explore more.

The most beautiful place and mountain experience in New Mexico. Outdoor activities for everyone - hiking, mountain biking, fishing, amazing photography opportunities, ATV riding, and the ultimate camping experience.

This place makes me feel like i am home. Especially love going out Cedar Creek in Ruidoso and enjoying the parks and picnic areas

even though the state park and national forest are now closed to campers after the big fire in Alto about 5 years ago.....the hiking and area is still beautiful....you can't fish in the lake any longer, but the wild birds and wildlife viewing is great. Walking through the national forest is still okay. The area is lovely and the fresh forest smell and scenery is breath taking....the resort village of Ruidoso is about 9 miles before you get to Bonito and it's just great, lots of quaint little shops, nice moderate and upscale shops...it's a ski resort area as well as offering fishing, hunting, golf and horseback riding....not to mention 3 casinos....Inn of the Mountain Gods is spectacular.... a beautiful mountain resort area in New Mexico.

Campground host were so nice and helpful. Very clean and just a great spot to camp. We stayed at Apache campground near Cloudcroft. Recommended!

Beautiful country. Lovely drive. Hope to come back in summer time and do some serious hiking. The park was pretty but I wish we had more time to explore.

Hikes parts of upper and lower cedar creek. In total we hiked 4.2 miles. We hiked on a Sunday, around 10am, we saw a few other people but it was not crowded. The up hill had nice easy switch backs and the downhills had beautiful views.

This Forest is beautiful and filled with various wildlife. Great for hiking! If you are looking for a serene place to visit, go to Ruidoso and check out the Lincoln National Forest!

We entered the forest from The Bottlehouse Cabins. We got to see a bit of the old silver mine. Very cool. Fun Park

Great hiking trails, we often hike the short mile trail which have level grounds and very peaceful. There are many more trails for all levels of hiking.

Rode my Harley down to Ruidoso this Memorial Day weekend. Rode through Lincoln County and the Lincoln National Forest. Some great historic places with super friendly people who love to share the local history, especially in Lincoln where there is the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid history and mementos in several museums and historical buildings are well marked.

This is a great place to go hiking in the Spring time. There are marked trails. Also, there is a fitness trail just beside the Smokey Bear Ranger Station for a quick run or walk.

We went for a quick getaway. It was phenomenal. My husband grew up in and around the area and it's a good thing we took the Jeep! Natural springs, fantastic views, fishing, hiking and very few people to interrupt the great peace and serenity the forest has to offer. Lots of wildlife to see if you take the time to look!

High, cool, away.
If you live in the lower tier of the Continental U.S., the "Sky Islands" of the Southwest offer a true respite from summer's hellish heat.
Luxury to primitive accommodations are available throughout the area.

There are several excursions I would suggest, especially if you do not want to camp and you want the outdoors. I would go up to Ski Apache and Mount Monjeau?? Mount Monjeau we have been lucky around dusk time to see elk and the last time we saw a beautiful bull elk. You have to look at the middle of the tree line since they usually are not close to the road. Watch out for deer as they will stay on top of the road. Finally, I would also do the trip to Cloudcroft and through the reservation. Beautiful country again a great drive and many chances to see animals. Drive slow just in case something crosses the road in front of you.

There are lots of good fire roads as well as single tracks. The downside is that most are near Cloudcroft and I’m in Ruidoso, kinda far to ride my DR 250 on blacktop to get to dirt.

During our stay in Ruidoso NM we hiked the
Salado Canyon Trail,
Bridal Vail Falls Trail,
Osha Trail,
Eagle Creek Trail and Alto Reservoir Loop
North Cedar Creek Trail.
Great trails to experience and enjoy the outdoors.

If you want to get away from the desert and its suffocating air, go for a hike into this forest ! Fresh air of the mountain, see wildlife, trees. Purely refreshing.

We wanted to change it up a bit and do some snowshoeing but we're dissapointed to find the limited trails for xc skiing and shoeing. The areas are really sad looking... Dead trees. To be fair, we have snowshoed in some beautiful places like Lake Tahoe and the Rockies... so my opinion on this is probably fairly skewed.

I love the forest here. Wish I could just mo e here and stay. Many places to hike and enjoy being outside.

It's best to visit this area when there has been plenty of (recent) rain. Right now (early April) there is plenty of snow run-off, but the forests could sure use rain. I think the fire danger is moderate, and rain is predicted for next week, but you can never tell. This is beautiful country which I have been visiting for nearly seventy years. Many years ago I fished the noisy river with my grandmother. Ski Apache attracts winter sports enthusiasts when it's cold and the tall pines, green pastures, and lofty mountains bring people in the rest of the year. Count on mild temperatures for most of the year, especially in the summer when July and August bring muggy, insufferable heat to Texas cities. When fire danger is low, overnight camping is allowed in the LNF. Lots of historic sights nearby and White Sands National Monument (70 miles away) is not to be missed.

This is one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. Especially to be so far South. Cool refreshing change to the dry desert areas all around.

What can you say about driving through a forest? It's a lovely drive especially when you live in the flat lands of the United States.

I enjoy the LIncoln National Forest. Unfortunately some has been burned about 2 years ago due to lightning strikes, but it's still a lot left to look at. The flowers have started to really grow back good and the plant life is thriving once again. Lots of mule deer to see, some have seen the bears around and lots of birds of every kind.

It’s named Lincoln. It’s managed by our nation. It’s a forest of trees. To recap…it’s the Lincoln National Forest.

But seriously, it’s a pleasant drive through paved and unpaved roads. Watch for elk, wild horses and dead coyote.

The mountains around Ruidoso are beautiful. The weather is wonderful compared to the scorching summer in Texas.

We hike in Ruidoso quite often and spend time in the national forest. The mountains, streams and views make it a great place to spend time while there.

Beautiful scenery and fresh air. Great getaway with hiking trails and nature viewing. Always a great place to get away from it all

There are many camping places with lots of good amenities. Nearby Ruidoso is a scenic beautiful town. White Sands monument is also a very close.

The Lincoln National Forest at Ruidoso (or Smokey Bear District) is one of 3 districts in the Lincoln National Forest. I'm not sure how you rate one third of a National Forest when there are dozens of different trails, mountain tops, valleys, creeks, points of interest, etc. With that said, however, I will point out that this area was devastated by the Big Bear fire 2-3 years ago and a number of the trails are still closed and most that are open have a lot of charred trees along the trails or at least on the horizon. We personally prefer the Sacramento Ranger District at Cloudcroft. There are more trails there and even before the Big Bear fire, the trails were better maintained than the Smokey Bear district. With that said, if you're into zip lines, skiing, or want to be closer to a decent size town then perhaps you would prefer the National Forest around Ruidoso.

We hiked the Cedar Creek trails in Ruidoso. We went in the morning and enjoyed the cool weather and mostly empty trails. Hike gained 330ft elevation pretty quickly from where we started but was not too challenging for anyone in our group. Beautiful vistas and surrounded by pines. A real treat and so close to town.

Lots of places to park your RV for free (some parks have restrooms, but lots of other off the road places in beautiful areas.

This is our very favorite place to visit. We love the mountains, forests, campgrounds and well located and very well maintained restrooms.

We have driven up to Ski Apache several times. The mountain air and views are wonderful. The road is terrible, dangerous, poorly maintained. There has been some 2016 improvement. More is needed. The overlook is about 8,500 feet, fabulous views to north and east, including all of Ruidoso.

Awesome Forest great for camping fishing hunting and snow skiing at Ski Apache. Backpack camping can put you in the most beautiful places ever

We always come to the Lincoln National Forest and Hike when we are in Ruidoso! It has great trails and is so pretty!! They Rangers station will give you a map and show you where to hike based on your ability of hiking and how far you can go! We always take our dogs as well and they love it!

Walked a couple different trails off of main road in Ruidoso. Beautiful fall colors. Ranger station nearby with restroom. No restroom at the trails near the ranger station.

I got to drive through this park on my way to White Sands. The views were extremely beautiful. I wish I got to do more/ take pictures but I was driving. I will definitely be coming back sometime soon.

Wonderful hike in the Lincoln National Forest. Walking a long The trail and came across the deers eating in the woods. Nice clear skies, no snow on the ground with fresh clean air.

This was a beautiful national park. Lots of diversity in the environment. We want to come back and see more.

This beautiful National Forest was devastated in 2011 and 2012 with lightening sparked forest fires. Burnt trees for several miles but the grass and vegetation reseeding is working. We saw lots of deer as we drove into Ruidoso. The grass is tall and wildlife was enjoying it. The home to "Smokey the Bear" is a great place to visit. Stop at the US Forest Service Ranger Station for a current map and enjoy the trails and wildlife.

Lots of hiking and biking in a cooler clime and actual trees on the mountains. The park is large and varied in the trails available. Cloudcroft and other small towns nearby were nice to visit as well.

Even nicer when it snows. Very high and great view of the surrounding mountains. You can see for miles. It's just amazing the vast area you can cover up here. Lots of small stops along the path.

If you want to hike within a low elevation area, there are several trails that are relatively flat incline that go about 4 miles but you still feel like you are deep in the mountains. There are many trails that have parts of rocky or more steep incline, and the views are so pretty, and not congested. Several trails allow horses, and the trails I have hiked have very distinct trails and trail head signs. Very enjoyable and the weather is almost always mild. Definitely a go-to place to hang out and you can always find a new trail - pick up a map in town to get an idea where to start your hikes.

We drove through the national forest on Hwy 82 from Alamogordo to Artesia on our way to Carlsbad National Park. The roads are in good condition. We did not stop and do any hiking trails. After we passed through Cloudcroft we saw lots of Elk herds on both sides of the roads.

Drove through the forest on a sunny afternoon. Small amounts of snow in shaded areas. Heard birds but saw no other wildlife except at the roadside petting zoo. Fun with grandkids.

Breath taking, a must see. Take the time to drive the mountain trails, you will see wildlife, and scenic views that are straight off of a post card. Can't wait to go again.

Just a nice hike in a lovely forest. You can hike as long and as easy or difficult as you like. The weather was just right and we really needed some exercise after eating so much great food in the village.

Beautiful senery, wonderful trails to explore. Walking durations of 1.5 to 3 hours seeing wildlife along the way.

We drove and hiked numerous trails/dirt roads in the forest - the beauty is unmatched! Try Monjeau Peak for a beautiful view of the area (though somewhat damaged by recent forest fires)

Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. Went up to Ski Apache from Ruidoso and the views are breathtaking. The road up was sooooo beautiful. My family and I went to Colorado last year and it was just as beautiful and amazing as the Rocky Mountains. The town of Ruidoso is beautiful and quaint. If you are from Texas try New Mexico. It is gorgeous !!

The entrances to this forest are all free but very spread out. They are not like the NPS parks. Small ranger stations but still super helpful. The Sacramento District was our favorite. You only pay if you camp there & spots are limited. We did not find places with hookups so it's dry camping if you spend the night: )

From Cloudcroft to Ruidoso through the Lincoln Forest is a wonderful and relaxing drive. Great trees and wildlife.
Really pretty

Quite a few nice hikes -- nothing spectacular. Probably nicer earlier in the season when creeks are full.

Ruidoso is in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest and our go-to place for relaxation. The forest and mountains in the area provide beautiful views and a great place to get away from the hustle & bustle and view nature at its best. If you look past the areas scared by past fires their is abundant wildlife throughout the area.

Where else can you get away from stress and not spend a fortune.Get out and live alittle camp hike bike scream as loud as you want. Observe nature listen to the sounds you wont be disappointed.Best of all its FREE

So it's not Colorado, but wow, is this place beauitfuil. Great to escape the heat (30 degres cooler than most of NM), found a perfect campground (Sleepy Grass outside of Cloudcroft) and some nice hikies. One of the quietest, most beautiful places we've ever camped.

I spent the last week driving around and visiting various places in this forest area and it is very accessible and seems to be visitor friendly.
This is a beautiful place and I have been up and down the Rockies.

We took an afternoon to drive up and through the forest. Roads are well maintained though could be more pull off areas to enjoy the view.

This is such a serene place with many rivers to enjoy. You can go camping and experience the deer coming into your camp as if to greet you. It is such a beautiful and colorful place. You can truly become one with nature. You can go fishing at many of its lakes and enjoy a fresh fish fry dinner. Tell stories rent horses to go horseback riding on their trails. Good wholesome fun.

Elk, elk and more elk. They are everywhere up here. What a beautiful animal. Got lots of great pictures.

Stopped here and was blown away by the quiet serene forest- the fresh air and clean underbrush make hiking a joy. the various entrances to the park are not near each-other as this whole forest is massive!! The renger station we passed by was small and fairly clean- the people were helpful and provided maps and such. Overall had a great day observing nature. One of my favorite parks to visit.

I have been through this area many times. This time we stopped at the OSHA trail next to Cloudcroft, NM. It is a very easy/short hike (approx. 2 miles or less). The scenery is beautiful up there. Especially where you could look towards White Sands National Monument on a clear day. We did see some interesting flowers along the backside of the trail. Hope to come back and do more hiking in this forest. There is a real nice ranger station close to Cloudcroft area. You can get lots of good information from the ranger station - trail maps, camping info, etc...

A pleasure to drive through. The air is clear even though there was a recent wildfire. The mountains are majestic.

We enjoyed our leisurely drive through the forest from Ruidoso to Cloudcroft on 244. Speed limit is 35-40 most of the way. Takes about an hour. We didnt see any wild life this time but we saw wild horses on our previous trip. Beautiful drive.

Beautiful area, we like the Cloudcroft area to stay in. Great hiking trails, breath taking views.
No Larger RV’s. So we had to park in Cloudcroft at a private RV Park.

Beautiful hiking trails and scenery. Quietly peaceful. My favorite walks are always walking near rivers and lakes with my dog. She loves getting in the water.

Lincoln National Forest has it all...camp sites, great trails, wonderful views. This is a great place to enjoy Nature in a pristine environment.

I may be a little biased because I have a place in the Lincoln Natl. Forest, but it truly is the most beautiful forest in New Mexico besides the Gila of course. With almost a 12,00 ft mountain near Ruidoso, and the Rio Ruidoso river and Cloudcroft area.

This trip to Lincoln National Forest we went in from close to Carrizozo, off Highway 54 and past the old RR town of Ancho. This part of the National Forest is high desert and extremely dry. Quite different than up in the trees at Ruidoso or Cloudcroft.

Antelope, deer, wild turkey, elk, and bear signs posted but never saw one. Camping in remote sites filled me with awe at the views. Rained about 20 minutes and passed, seeing clouds below us was strange. Home of Smokey the Bear if you know that story. Roads are well maintained, and the paths I was one was in great condition.

Long 10 mile drive up to the ski area, and very winding - so make sure you have plenty of time (they are working on the road). A nice view - we only went to the 8 mile marker.

If you are inclined to hiking, or just taking a walk that is healthy - This is a must see area. Clean air, and beautiful scenery as you hike through the forest.

Pack your compass and hiking boots, you will want to hike in the Lincoln National Forrest. Plan your day to start early, pack water and a simple lunch or snacks and start up the mountain. Deer, rabbit, moose and more will greet you along the way. Have your camera ready as you will want to remember this lush green forrest.

We drove thru to lookouts and around and in Ruidoso and to Roswell thru to the edge of the Lincoln Nt'l Forest and it's a beautiful area.

The old adobe buildings and general store in Lincoln were our favorites; we stepped back in time and never felt like a tourist. The surrounding mountains are beautiful, uncrowded, and makes a nice short trip while in Ruidoso.

Love this area. Air is so fresh and dry. Cool temps. A great get away from Central Texas heat and humidity. Nice primitive camping spots. It was very dry while there (due to lack of rain) but the huge Pines are so pretty and smell so fresh. The forest is still trying to recover from multiple forest fires in the past 4 years but still worth the views.

We drove from Ruidoso to White Sands through the Lincoln National Forest. The drive was beautiful with lots of trees and some wildlife. We saw some Mule Deer along the road. Temperature was cool in the mountains and it beat taking the more arid roads.

Stayed a week in Ruidoso while visiting numerous national parks and monuments in southeast New Mexico. There is so much to see and do here! Drove all around through the various districts of the Lincoln National Forest. Hiked to the summit of Lookout Mountain--a great day hike, with 360-degree views for hundreds of miles at the top.

Nearby fishing, shopping, walking along the river and the quietness and seclusion. Horse racing is a short drive and lots of recreational areas. A lot of culture in this area and filled with wildlife.

superb forest that passes peacefully while driving, the window open, and all senses awake.
We're alone and we're good.

Not as crowded as most of the ski slopes and an opportunity to kickback and have a good time on the slopes and in the lodge.

My husband and I have fallen in love with Lincoln Forest that we purchased a 2nd home here. We are live to hike and explore and this is awsome for vacation!

Beautiful view....Lots of good places to eat....as well as plenty of things to do. Hiking trails are amazing!

Beautiful landscapes and forest make this a place to visit to enjoy nature. Views from Sierra Blanca are unmatched and superb!!

Beautiful place to visit and cool during the summer. We have returned many times and will visit again this year

We just left and I am already planning my next trip to Lincoln National Forest (LNF). I was a little worried about the first-come first-serve policy at the LNF campground, so we had tried to find a tent-friendly campground, but we had troubles finding one, so we ended up looking for a campground in LNF. We struck gold at Skyline Campground. This was our first stop and there were plenty of sites available. For an open site - no office - it was well maintained. There were fire rings, a toilet, and amazing views! In addition to camping, we went hiking up the Argentina trail, up to Argentina Peak, and down the Little Bonita Trail. I did this with a 14 yo and a 7 yo and we all had a blast. We also visited Monjou Lookout (not far from Skyline Campground). I can't wait to go back.

We spent some time in the forest on a trip to Ruidoso. Our favorite part was a little hike up to Monjeau lookout. This is on old fire watch site that was incredible. What an amazing view! We took our six children and had a fabulous afternoon there.

Hike the Grindstone Mountain Trail. We parked at the dam and hiked the 3.9 miles up to the Grindstone Mesa Loop. The loop is a 3.5 mile easy hike offering views on the backside. The hike up and back down was a moderate level hike and took us about an hour and 45 minutes going up and just over an hour coming down.

This area is just beautiful. We took our jeep and drove some of the trails. You can also enjoy the area by hiking or with an off the road vehicle. I highly recommend checking the area out!

We took the Lincoln Forest from Ruidoso and were in awe of the beauty and peacefulness of the drive. Although speed limits are only 45 MPM, it was well worth the time to enjoy the wonderful scenery. We would definitely take this route again!

Enjoyed riding thru forest. Elk are enjoyable to watch. Wild game everywhere. nice trails to take you thru forest

We went on a much needed family vacation to unwind. The forest is beautiful and calm. It was fun to play in town and then go hiking afterward. It was sad to see the effects of the recent forest fire near lake Bonita where we went horseback riding, but overall the trip was great.

Did the Little Benito and Argentina Trails. Awesome views and well marked trails. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.

My husband loves to drive his 2008 Bullitt Mustang, five speed through the winding, twisting up and down two-lane road through the Forest. Fun, fun, fun

Great drive in the Lincoln National Forest between Ruidoso and Cloudcroft. Nice views, easy to travel road.

Did not camp here but did have a picnic and hiked the Sleepy Grass Trail. Nice cool temperatures, easy trail and lots of beautiful wildflowers.

The views and trails in Ruidoso are great! We took a short walk through the forest. A nice place to see.

Hiking mountain biking walking so much to see! Elk deer wild horses rabbits and lots of gorgeous birds are some of the things you may see . Winter gives us skiing tubing snow boarding snow shoeing and more! Come visit our beautiful forest.

The temperature was a pleasant 70F today, unseasonably warm. No snow. In fact, it was very dry and dusty. The creek was flowing, but only a trickle compared to spring and summer. The picnic area was open, but every restroom was locked. We had to leave to gind a restroom.

Drive down from Cloudcroft on Hiway 82 (I think that's what it was). The scenery was breathtaking! A great road with lots of places to stop and take in the view. We loved it!

This is such a beautiful area! We can't wait to return next year! Wildlife was around every corner. Great place to get away and connect with nature.

If in the Ruidoso area take a morning to enjoy a road trip to CloudCroft via NM 244. It is a very good road that crosses a pas at about 8990 feet. Roll down the windows and enjoy the sweet smell of mountain pine.

I tried three trails I haven't been on before. The views were incredible. All the areas in the burn area are filling in with green bushes, small trees, and an explosion of wild flowers. I brought my grandsons up from TX. They live in Austin so this was all new to them. We went horseback riding on the reservation where they saw deer and elk. They hiked a few of the smaller trails with me. They also got to fish for the first time. Probably the best summer in my 60yrs.

Loved it here. Beautiful pines and great scenery. We saw a ton of wild horses and took some amazing photos. Would def go back!!

We travelled the roads of the forest just enjoyed the cool air and the beautiful trees. It's so important to follow the signs about the threat of fire. No littering please. Let's keep it beautiful.

Drove through on a recent trip. Didn't spend a lot of time in the forest, but time we did was nice. Lots of wildlife.

We stayed in the middle of the forest and the views were just stunning. There were wild turkeys and mule deer everywhere. There are so many trails it's hard to choose. Be careful though because many allow bikes on the same trails and you need to be able to move quickly out of thew way.

This area is very beautiful and a great place to visit, no matter the time of year. There are many things to do and, if taken care of by visitors, it will be a joy to visit for many years to come.

If you like riding thru the forest, lots of twisty roads, and gorgeous scenery, you need to ride/drive Lincoln National Forest. You will not be disappointed!

This Forrest was stunning. The trees were gorgeous. The view off the mountain was pristine and breathtaking. We saw probably 20 or 30 deer during the course of the day and a beautiful blue bird! Simply stunning! Must do!

Cedar creek picnic grounds are very clean and we'll maintained. Clean restrooms and many picnic areas to choose from.
The bike trails are being improved summer 2015. Lots of dog walking trails. Beginner hiking trails for all to enjoy.

There is so much to see and do. They have many Hotels, Motels, RV Parks, and campgrounds around Lincoln National forest. You have horse racing, skiing, Casino's,
wildlife, and beautiful scenery at your disposal. If you go once I bet you will go back. I don't have enough space here to tell you all of what I think of Lincoln National Forest.

We hiked the cedar creek trail and had a great time. It was quite challenging due to the incline but the wildlife and scenery made the uphill climb worth it. We saw lots of deer, an owl, and we also saw what we thought could have been a bear's den. Our 8 and 12 year old got pretty tired on the way up but they were able to make it.

Beautiful location for camping, a hike, drive or afternoon picnic. Surrounded by beauty and nice weather allowed for a great experience. Some areas do not allow dogs however we found a location for ball (on long lead) and potty breaks. Worth visiting!

Great area just outside Cloudcroft for hiking and snowshoeing. Ungroomed cross country ski trails. Close to Coudcroft or easy drive from Ruidoso.

We went on two short hikes while staying in Ruidoso. The first was the Scenic Trail (#15) and part of the Crest Trail (#25), both of which are located near Ski Apache. It was about a 30 minute drive from Ruidoso up a fairly windy mountain road. Lovely alpine environment. The second was the Nogal Trail (#48). This one was amazing. The view at the top of the Canyon is incredible. If you're staying in Ruidoso and are interested in hiking, consider stopping by the ranger station at the edge of town. They can give you advice on which trails would be best based on your ability level and (in some cases) what type of car you're driving.

Lincoln National Forest is a great place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of life. Plenty of trails are available for hiking. The forest is not as large as other forest but offers those serene areas to let you relax and enjoy nature. Wildlife sighting are not unusual.

Trails for all levels of activity. 1.5 to 6 mi trails. Some are flat and a few are challenging, in that they are steep!

I have been to Ruidoso,NM many times over the years and ended up buying a cabin 6 years ago. I have always wanted to take a drive up to Monjeau Lookout which is only 20 minute drive from my place. I wish I would have drove up there before the Little Bear fire a few years ago. It must have been a beautiful full forest.I was amazed at the view from up there and how green it was on September 3rd 2016. Nice to see that not all the trees are gone. There are several places to camp with picnic tables and a restroom. The road up to the Lookout was still closed about 50 yards down the mountain, but the view was worth the trip. I'll be going back and hike up to the Lookout.

Spent about an hour and half hiking around the Cedar Creek Trail this afternoon. It’s a clearly marked trail which is approximately 5 miles. There are some beautiful views of the Sierra Blanca Peak mountain from the trail.
We also visited the Smokey Bear Ranger District office which has lots of fun info about the Forest including Smokey Bear.

If you want to relax, get away and unwind... visit Ruidoso and just take in the scenery of nature and wildlife.

We drove through Lincoln Nat'l Forest in our truck (we're not hikers) but we were scouting out "boondocking" sites to camp out in our little Casita travel trailer. We saw lots of beautiful, level campsites with fire rings, tall shade trees, beside a running stream. These are all free, no reservations required. Of course there are no electric or water hook-ups. Several tent and trailer campers we saw had generators. The roads were rocky, steep in places, winding, several sharp cutbacks, especially on 108 toward Nogal, but the vista views of the mountains were awesome. Also wildflowers of all colors and descriptions (we were there in August). Very pretty. Bonito Lake is almost dried up. They say it was caused by the 2012 fire. Damage from the fire is there, but the majority of the forest is still beautiful. We also came upon a stable with horse rentals for $30/hr. That would have been fun. The old guy running the horse place recommended we take the 11-mile road to Nogal. Was a good thing we had 4-wheel drive. He didn't warn us about needing that. The views were worth it, though. If you love mountains and streams and trees and flowers and nature and don't mind rough roads, go to Lincoln National Forest.

Wonderful weather, sunny and cool. Great for the skiers and shoppers. Lots of deer and other wildlife.

We parked at Argentina Canyon camping area and backpacked up into the mountains.

The parking lot/camping area had pit toilets, a water pump, and bear proof trash cans. The drive back is rough dirt, but we made it back in a small passenger car, only bottoming out once.

Camping at the trail head was very chilly, due to November temps (high 50/low 25) and the nearby creek that kept the air very cool.

The trails are beautiful! The mountain views are amazing! We backpacked up in the mountains for 4 days and the views were totally worth the cold.

Wildlife was prolific and neat to watch.

We took the scenic route through Lincoln National Forest on our way to Albuquerque. It made the drive a delight with lots of beautiful lookouts.

Beauty, nature, mountains...what more could you want? We enjoy Lincoln National Forest every time we are in Ruidoso.

I always enjoyed the forrest area and creeks running down from mountain and frsh smile of pine trees

We hiked around the Grist Stone Mill Lake and on the Cedar hiking trail....both nice short hikes. Looking forward to another trip down here.

Great for camping and hiking, not too much fishing left in the area. Check with local authorities before heading out, this year they got plenty of rain but several times over the last 5-10 years the forest has been closed due to fire danger during the summer

After reading all the raving reviews I was a little disappointed. I guess its nice if you live in a dessert area but I much prefer Colorado views.

Beautiful area and a lot to do here. We stayed in a cabin there and had a very good time, the air is fresh, The dark night is so great to sleep well. We had a great visit, will go back.

Lincoln National Forest is an excellent respite from the summer heat of Texas and southern New Mexico. It is situated about 140 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas and about 180 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. One of the highlights in the area is Sierrra Blanca, a nearly 12,000 foot peak. The Forest boasts many hiking trails and camping sites. There are several places to go horseback riding. There are two major towns that serve as gateways to the Forest - Cloudcroft and Ruidoso.

A fair selection of trail types; wooded, steep, open. You can find just about anything you want and the weather will be friendly in most seasons, at least somewhere in the boundaries. Interesting towns nearby, plenty of camping too.

Able to drive through a good part of the Lincoln National Forest. Amazing scenery and some snow at the higher elevations.

We weren't in the Lincoln National Forest for long, but our time there was magical. The weather was amazing, we saw clouds at the tops of the trees, and we couldn't believe it was 50 degrees in the middle of July. Highly recommend at least driving through.

No shortage of things to do in this tight knit community. There is something for everyone spring, winter, summer or fall.

We love the Clear, cool, tall pine trees and the crisp Mountain air so much we bought a cabin there, and enjoy it the 4-5 months that Texas is the hottest.

So many hikes...depending on what you are seeking. Big Bonito, Little Bonita and Argentina trails are some favorites: beautiful soaring pines overhead, some water crossings, wildflowers in the spring, easy to moderate out and backs. Driving to the trailhead takes some time and includes some gravel and dirt. Mills Canyon trailhead is easier to access and has some easy epsections, or can be done as a multiday undertaking that is strenuous in some parts but rewards with incredible vistas. We've seen bear and elk on some of the longer hikes. Crest Trail runs all over the place...the hike to Nogal Peak on Crest is high elevation, woods then open green mountaintops...gorgeous. Look for horny toads everywhere in the spring.

We had a great time hiking and bird watching this large forest. Historically significant, so read up on it.

We took a drive from Ruidoso to Cloudcroft through the Lincoln National Forest. It was one of the most beautiful drives we have ever taken. The trees are huge and the trees have been groved and all of the dead wood removed. With the rain this spring, everything was beautifully green and awesome! We were so glad we took this drive and would recommend everyone to spend the time to do this trip.

We hiked down to the beautiful steam. It is quite the adventure and prepare to be sore the next day. The kids enjoyed a more physical activity and the memories made.

We visit this area in the summer because it is close by and it gives us a break from the Texas heat when our time is limited. There much better options than this when time permits.

We live in El Paso, so we love to come here during the summer to get away from the heat. We also love coming during the winter to see a true winter. There is not a lot of water running through here, which is a pity, just a few small river, creeks, mediocre lakes. The largest bodies of water are Bonito and Mescalero, owned by Alamagordo and the Mescalero tribe, respectively. But it is fun to come out and fish in them and camp out in the forest. The wild life is not overwhelming but you will see animals. There are mule deer, coyotes, rabbits, hawks, turkeys, and even bears. I personally have never seen a bear but they say they are up there. You will probably see more deer near homes than you will camping. The bird life is perhaps the most abundant here, you can see many species.

I always have a great time when I come here.

We back right up against the Lincoln National Forest. Abundant trees. Lots of oak, pinyon pine, alligator juniper, douglas fir, and ponderosa pine.

Wildlife is abundant because of that. Lots of humming birds, especially black chins, broad tails, rufous, and some magnificents. Ravens. Lots of steller jays. Also nuthatches(white & red breasted, and pygmy) juncos, mtn. chicadee, black headed grosbeaks, acorn & hairy woodpeckers, band-tailed pigeons, mourning dove. Occasional chapparral, western tanangers . And such mammals as black bears, mule deer, coons, Colorado chipmunks, and red and rock squirrels. There are elk that come closeby, but not in our yard. Herds of 6 to 15 or so right down the hill on the roadway.

My wife and I have travelled all over the west, and seen lots of wildlife.......but see as much in our own back yard (Lincoln Nat'l Forest) as we do anywhere except Yellowstone.

In my youth, I hiked all over the nearby White Mtn Wilderness. And there are abundant hiking trails. We have enjoyed the Lincoln National Forest very much.

The lovely drive through Lincoln National Forest shows nature at is finest and most rugged, especially where natural wildfires leave their marks. The Forest has nice, rustic camping areas.

There were a lot of closed roads in the forest so really couldn't do a lot of exploring. I think there had also been a fire so some areas had lost a lot of trees. Will have to come back another time maybe in warmer weather to camp.

We hiked several trails in Lincoln National Forest. Some are challenging! Met many other people on the trails, it seems to be very popular.

Great high places with excellent views. I prefer the Guadalupe and Smokey Bear Ranger Districts to the Northern Sacramento, but there are plenty of opportunities for camping. Plenty of creeks to stay next to, but it's best visited during the week, between the holidays. During peak season, Ruidoso is best avoided for the traffic, and even the forest nearby is crowded with RVs and tent campers. However, with the opportunity for dispersed camping being widespread, one only needs a little bit of ground clearance to obtain a quiet place for the night.

Our trip was in late February 2015, when the weather was still chilly. We hit the park around noon, and were amazed and confused by the pale trees in the fog: What kind of trees are they? How come they are all white? We came out of the car and checked it out. It turned out that the trees were covered by frost! Never saw frosted trees before. They were just amazingly beautiful!
We went all the way up the hill, and found a little cabin on the roadside with nice decorations. It's a cozy art house. The owner was very welcoming and friendly. She invited us over by the fireplace, and told us that the handmade art crafts/accessories/paintings were from hundreds of local artists. Such a treasure in the forest! We spent plenty of time hanging there and enjoying the artistic surroundings.
We didn't take any hikes due to other plans on the way, but we were thrilled to discover so much unexpected beauty in this national forest!

I loved our time spend in the National Forest. Plenty of hiking with great views. Just remember if you plan on camping in the camping grounds go before September 1, as most of the camp grounds close then. At least the ones that have facilities available are closed.

My husband and I camped in bluff springs. It was so beautiful and peaceful. We went on walks with our dogs and had no service. Great way to get away from electronics and explore nature.

We stayed in the Apache campground near Cloudcroft. It was spectacularly beautiful and cool! Highs were in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s. Campground has no electricity and water is shared. We gladly paid the fee for the hot showers though! Lots of hiking and super quiet at night.

We always have a great time in the cool pines. We good up to hike around or just relax in the cooler weather. If you like the outdoors this is a great place to go.

Always a good time in the White Mountain Wildlife area. You can find yourself miles from anyone or be in the hub of the nearest town.

The Lincoln National Forest is a beautiful place to sightsee and hike. Full of wildlife and gorgeous scenery.

Going up Ruidoso is a nice drive. It is a nice place to relax and enjoy the nature. We went there around spring time but if you love to ski, you can experience it during the winter. It's a nice little get away for the weekend. Getting hungry after exploring some of the trails? Head on to downtown and you'll find several restaurants that cater to different palate.

One million acres and this forest goes on and on. Beautiful scenery. We took the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway snd the Forest was all around us. We went through a tunnel, stopped at scenic spots to look out over the canyons.

Beautiful landscapes, wildlife abounds, the trees in fall are so pretty. A must see for everyone. Highly recommend a visit to this area.

Very different from a Texan park, however, clean, private, and amazing with snow. If you drive all the way to the back is fantastic, no place to seat but super worth it.

This is a beautiful place to visit! Many scenic views and day trips from Ruidoso NM. Also historical cities to visit.

We loved hiking here! Lots of choices. We hiked Grindstone Lake which is beautiful & has choices for all levels. It's fun for fishing & picnics too! We also hiked the Cedar Creek Trails which near the Smokey the Bear Station. Both close to Taos & easy to find. We had a great time. Be sure to bring water & sunscreen😊

It is very beautiful, very appealing. I fell in love with the environment. Its a must see, you can see far away... very nice

We have driven through Lincoln many times but never took the time to stop. This trip was nothing but time, so we took the entire town tour. Fascinating if you've never stopped. The museum and movie of Lincoln was worth the stop.

Really enjoyed the scenery at this magnificent mountain area. Hiking trails are well defined and provide an opportunity to take great pictures. If you enjoy the outdoors this is a must-see area.

the only reason that I didn't rate the National Forest as excellent is because of the really bad fire a couple of years ago. Even though you can pretty much get around ok now some of the forest service campgrounds and facilities are still closed. When things get back to normal this is an outstanding area for camping, picnicking and fishing. Great weather and great scenery.

We drove from Ruidoso to Cloudcroft on Hwy 244 through Lincoln National Forest. Beautiful country with lots of wildlife. Worth the drive of about 40 minutes. Cloudcraft is one on those towns that you will always remember. Very unique!

For a late middle age desk jockey, spouse and teenager, this was a nice (although long) hike! I thought I couldn't do it, but made it and it was well worth it! There are cliffs, several stream crossings, and wear good ankle-supporting hiking boots as there are some ups/downs/rocks etc. Take several water bottles per person, and a camera! I would not recommend this for small children nor persons in any frail condition or with any balance issues. Young adults/in shape persons will find this relatively easy. LOTS of awesome scenery, a few challenging areas, trail was narrow when we visited, but horses could get down it. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bug spray, long pants/sleeves, hat, sunglasses. Some very tall plants and brush to pass through as well. Take an epi-pen if allergic to stings/I used inhaler only once. Seems like a looong time between trail signs, but we novices were able to find the trail and make it back to parking area! Be sure to let someone know where you are going and when expected to return.
Stop by the Smokey Bear ranger station first, get maps. The drive to the trail head involves a very pot-holed road and we had to cross one small "stream" in our mini-SUV, no problem. Smaller or lower cars may have problems. You pass through a small area with houses and a stable, keep driving, very slowly. No fees to get in. Drive in takes maybe 20-25 minutes.
Although weather in June was warm/hot in town (we stayed in Ruidoso) up in elevation it was in the 70s! We also took a day to get used to elevation prior to hiking.
There were burned out areas, but still so MUCH beauty - birds, streams, flowers, butterflies... a wonderful respite for city-dwelling eyes and ears. Worth it!

I love Lincoln National Forest. It's a great place to hike and get alone with your thoughts and say "Thank You" for the forest. It is a privilege to live in the mountains and enjoy Lincoln National Forest. There are also places to camp and ride horses. Plus, you can have a picnic for the day. An enjoyable time for families and friends.

This is our home away from home place ........Great things to do in this area , Lots of History in this part of the world

Our drive through the Lincoln National Forest to the town of Lincoln and adjoining towns was enjoyable.

Absolutely beautiful scenery. Loved out time in the area. Saw many things that will stick with us for years to come

The Lincoln National Forest is just a special place and a pretty drive that highlights the sky and the landscape. Take your time on this drive and pull over to truly enjoy the scenery.

We stopped in the town of Lincoln, the site of the Lincoln County Wars. The city appears to be very close to how it appeared over 100 years ago. The buildings are still standing and there is a walking tour that you can take. The tour takes you into the famous homes and businesses that were in operation during the time of Billy the Kid and John Tunstall. We spent a couple of hours there. I would recommend this to anyone who has the time to learn a little about New Mexico history.

We were only there two days so I know we didn't find everything. Half of the roads we traveled through the Forrest were fairly well kept gravel roads. We go to RMNP/Roosevelt Forrest quite often and most everything is interstate smooth, paved roads. We had no problems in Lincoln but if it were rainy it might cause trouble for some. None of the stream had water from low snowfall this year.

Took the road thru the Lincoln National Forest and was amazed by the scenery. Beautiful views through the drive.

The mountains are beautiful and there was snow on the tops we were able to drive up and walk in the snow and saw animal footprints including a mountain lion

What do you want me to say? You've just got to get out there and experience it for yourself.

The scenery, the ease of navigation, and a network of trails that gives you opportunities for dozens of unique hikes, makes the LNF a great place for day hiking, backpacking, dispersed camping, etc.

Go, go, go!!!

It is so breathtaking. The recent fires took a toll but there are so many natural wonders to see! We even came across a herd of wild horses. It was incredible.

We’ve traveled through several parts of Lincoln National Forest and found it to be an area rich in scenery and wildlife.

Take the time to make a leisurely drive around 'Billy The Kid" loop. It's well worth it. The little town of Lincoln is a Must-See.

small ski town that has mountain bike trails for all levels close by carls bad caverns Lincoln national forest and white sands national park close also. great places to eat and shop. apple and nut farms to tour cabins to rent year round. close to Colorado border part of rockies 7000 feet above sea level. hiking trails and lookout points in mountians camping also year round area with things to do.

Beautiful Drive, Easy drive for it being in the mountains. Having spent some years in Colorado, I appreciated the mountains without the crowds.

Drive along US70, spectacular views of the mountains and surrounding area. If you want a short drive with lots to see, then visit the national forest.

Beautiful yellow flowers are blooming where the fire swept through a couple of years ago. It is still a great place to hike and relax in nature. We've been trying to keep the trails clear and free from trees by volunteering with the Forest Service. Come visit!

We went on several great hikes. The trails are well marked. But be warned, Moderate is a tough moderate. You should be in at least decent shape, especially for the longer trails. Beautiful scenery and again well marked and well maintained trails.

While in area the drive up to lookout tower allows you to see entire area from over 9000 ft elevation. Narrow gravel road but worth the time and effort.

It's home to Smokey Bear, and an awesome lookout tower at 9600 feet (it's called Monjeau). That's the west side, the east is more desert like but has some gems too.

We found an old mine that was caved in. There were mine cars that have been there for a long time. Plus many trails all over. Theres a ton of cool things to find wherever part you go to. So many great great places to explore.

The different landscape and views are breath taking. We loved driving through the different areas and pulling off some of the lookout spots. There are so many trails to venture out on and have enjoyed seeing the different animals, but still no sight of bears.

Had a cousin picnic there. Was so quite and peaceful. Very clean. Really enjoyed the ride kinda scary it winds a lot

We have made many trips to the Lincoln National Forest, which was always a beautiful forest of tall pine, fir and spruce trees. In 2013, a big forest fire (caused by lightening) burned a huge amount of forest north and west of Ruidoso. It changed how the mountains and terrain looks in the area. It still has its own beauty, but it is heartbreaking to see those once evergreen covered mountains with nothing but tall, charred "sticks" standing where it used to be so green. There are still many nice places to camp and enjoy the mountains which are covered with evergreens in the area. We haven't let the fire stop us from enjoying the area...we continue to RV there.

Easy access to trails right in Ruidoso. Trail maps don’t match the trails but it’s easy enough to find your way around. This is will always be a special because my fiancé proposed on our hike.

Beautiful scenery! Nice place to experience cold weather, fireplaces, hiking and soul searching. Local lakes and horse back riding is a must

I first visited the Monjeau Lookout 20 years ago, I am still wowed by the amazing views of the mountains and trees. My husband and I wanted to return to this site and take our daughters to see this incredible view. Although several websites said the Monjeau Lookout was closed due to fire, it was not. It was very sad to see the thousands of trees that had been destroyed or damaged by the forest fire two years ago, but the view from the top remains incredible. There is a camping area about half way up that has parking, a lookout area and restrooms but they are old fashioned outhouses so be prepared. The drive up to the lookout is very steep and seemed much further than I had remembered it. The info on the US Forest Service website lists the elevation as 9,500 feet, and notes it was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1988. The walk up the stairs to the Monjeau Lookout is very steep and not for anyone with physical challenges, but is a must see if you are ever in the area. There is another bathroom/outhouse at the Lookout as well. Note**wear good tennis shoes for the hike to the top of the lookout & bring water with you. None of us are hikers or campers, you can drive up to the top of the mountain, park at the base of the lookout and climb the stairs to the tower as we did, or enjoy the view from the base of the lookout, it doesn't have to be an all day hiking adventure!

Enjoyed nature walking the rustic trails and taking in fresh mountain air! Beautiful tall pines and spotted deer along the way.

We did some of the cedar creek trails which are beautiful and easy. We were able to bring our dog along but note that the cedar creek fitness trail dogs are not allowed.

I live there,,,,any questions? the village of RUIDOSO is at 7,000ft
SIERRA BLANCA is 12,000ft, there are many out door opportunity in the area.
Lots of history.

We had a large group planned with many campers and tents, coming for 4 different states. We were able to get a semi-secluded area with plenty of room for us all, and had 2 pavilions and an outhouse to use as well. (Other camping areas also have flush facilities.) We were also allowed to put a sign with our group name near the main road to help direct campers to the right area. The accommodations were perfect for all of us, and the great natural setting made our gathering even better. Bed warned - there are roving bears here and you MUST secure your food and trash. The trash cans were bear-proof and we heard a bear in the night attempting to get into the trash, but it could not and it did not approach any of the campers, which is why you must NEVER feed wild bears. For a beautiful bit of truly wild nature only minutes from modern attractions, this is a perfect place! It was also 72 degrees here in July, when it was over 100 degrees when we got back to Texas.

Lots of things to do in Ruidoso, tons of shops, housing, and tourism. The best parts are the national forest where you can just walk for hours and chill out, tons of trees and wildlife! Unlike other mountain towns you can find a subway and other food chains, but don't forget about the local eateries too, Anahiem Jacks has gourmet burgers which are the best. Seirra Blanca is the tallest mountain I think and I've never been to the top but it has some really cool spots going up. Another cool area of Lincoln National Forest is Cloudcroft, it's at 8000 ft, 1000 ft higher than Ruidoso, and when we went there was a way more greener grass and foliage than you normally see in new mexico, 100% recommend Lincoln National Forest as a dope hiking getaway or whatever you want to do

My husband and I went hiking one morning; fun little place to enjoy nature and so close to town! Beware, the maps make the paths look shorter than they actually are! Enjoy!

The Lincoln National Forest is by far one of the most beautiful national forests I have visited. The Sierra Blanca range is awesome, and the Capitan mountains are equally spectacular.

the best part of this trek to Argentina Peak, we saw a bear! he looked at us, we looked at him, he wandered off into the woods... the trek itself was fine, but the road into the area was full of huge potholes and unpaved...

Had a great experience visiting everything was easy access and able to get around with no trouble. Everything was in driving distance and easy to navigate.

The Lincoln National Forest is a beautiful place to hike or just walk around. Full of wildlife and gorgeous scenery.They said they had forest fires but I couldn't tell.

Wonderful location. Be mindful of the burn areas and notices. But that is no reason to stay away from this beautiful part of New Mexico. The Rangers were wonderful and informative! There are plenty of trails for snowshoeing or sledding or just building that snowman!

Please give credits to the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Some pictures posted were taken on their reservation. Thank you!

My wife & I determined to "get out of town", away from the hot lower altitude of El PasoTX-USA, into the cooler, higher altitude of the Lincoln National Forest, where the burn ban had been lifted. We initially started investigating organized sites close to Sierra Blanca, but it had started to drizzle. That could make for difficulty starting a fire (though I had complete confidence in my "Scoutmaster's match"), but a likely damp tent/bag was not to our liking. So we motored a bit further South (40 miles/64kms) along 244 until out from under those weeping clouds, closer to US82/Cloudcroft and found a perfect site. Indeed it was perfect--no moisture at all during the night, and a wonderful fire to cook food/coffee/hot water. Hiking closely trails provided ample exercise before we motored back home, feeling very refreshed.

One of our favorite places to stay. So much to do such as hiking, site seeing, nature and wildlife. It's a peaceful, beautiful to camp or just enjoy for the day. Beautiful tall pines and the wonderful smell of pinon.

We had a great time here, rented a cabin in Ruidoso NM. Decided to go for a hike and see the scenic views. Very beautiful get away. Had lots of fun.

Lots of places to be active. Absolutely beautiful! Well-kept grounds, very good signage indicating where you can and can’t camp for the night. No campfires, though, due to current conditions - check this before you come!

Hiked up the little Bonita trail to the summit area. Enjoyed a picnic lunch under a pine tree and enjoyed a fantastic view.

Returned down the Argentina springs trail. Total distance 7.2 miles. Note that this is a steep trail and you should be in relatively good shape.

Being older, we did not attempt any hikes, but the beauty of the road views was memorable. We will definitely continue to explore this area when in town. I wanted to find a waterfall.

We drove thru the mountains. The peaks were covered in snow and there was still some snow on the ground in the forest. Beautiful, peaceful drive.

What an incredibly vast and lovely expanse of terrain. So much to see and to do, given its remote nature. Explore all the tiny towns and enjoy the amazing Wild West. Even in the summer heat, there is much to see and do.

Lincoln National Forest is a huge forest rising above the high desert region of New Mexico. Ruidoso is a good spot for a family vacation, lots of forest for hiking etc year around and the skiing during the winter. Lots to do for everyone from watching a horse race to kids activities in town not to mention the art, restaurants and museums.

Lots of people don't imagine that there would be such a wonderful forest in the middle of New Mexico. But, once people visit they return and some actually move to the area.

We drove the highway up to Ski Apache. The views were spectacular! The Licoln National Forest is an oasis of beautiful wildflowers, trees, and blue lakes in an otherwise dry region of the country.

Lots of different sights to see. Travel in more than one direction to see it all. Very easy to navigate.

Sure all the hiking skiing and scenery are great. However if you're interested in western history try Lincoln NM which is the birth of the legend of Billy the kids. The town still has several of the old buildings that were involved in the Lincoln county wars and the beginning of Billy's outlaw career that started out lawful. Also Fort Stanton is close by, another historical sites. Just something interesting in the area, oh yeah check out the Smokey the Bear museum in Capital

We took the Scenic Route thru Lincoln National Forrest to CloudCroft for a day trip. The beauty and breath taking This a Must Do! You will love this Forrest Spectacular!

Going toward the ski areas, there is an exit to the right that leads you up a 12-or-so mile gravel road that passes by a camping area and continues on to the top of the mountain where there are a couple of trail heads leading in different directions. There are fire pits and picnic tables to enjoy, and the trails are probably geared toward someone with moderate experience. I have not personally hiked any of the trails, but would like to in the future. The views from the top are spectacular as is the total quiet with just the sound of nature for the backdrop.

Rode our Harley through the forest. Absolutely gorgeous!! Winding roads, wildlife, quiet, crisp! Don't miss out!!!

Have been to Ruidoso several times but never to the Lincoln National Forest until this trip. It was a really nice experience. Was a busy weekend with campers everywhere but they were spaced out enough to have private space. Saw evidence of the fire from a year or so ago which was horrible. Also saw an old mine entrance which was a nice experience. The best part of the drive thru the forest was seeing a group of WILD horses and having one of them come up to our car window to get petted on the nose. Totally COOL!!!

Great Western Forest with big trees and well marked trails. Cedar Creek was a great area with wonderful trails. Lots of visible deer. Snow capped mountain in background added to the stunning vistas.

Great for serenity & solitude. Have hiked and biked Rim Trail. Watch for snow in fall. This trip we hiked 113/5008. Had the forest to ourselves.

Preferred cloudcroft to Riudoso,less touristy. Camping near cloudcroft great( October). Good food aanbrew at Cloudcroft brewery a pizza. Riudoso more crowded( July)

We went to Ruidoso primarily to hike. With the help of the nice folks at the Smokey Bear Ranger Station we were finally able to find some nice hikes out past Bonito Lake (which itself is currently almost empty due to pending dredging after the Little Bear fire). We hiked the Argentine-Little Bonito-Big Bonito loop, then another day the Turkey Canyon-to-Agentine loop. Both were beautiful hikes - about 7-8 miles each. My primary reason for only 3 stars is that this area does a terrible job of promoting area hiking - I think they focus too much on gambling instead of on promoting outdoor activities. Road signage is lacking, and so when you are on the way to go hiking you are always left wondering if you on the right road or not until you actually get there. Some areas did suffer after the 2012 Little Bear fire, but they need to maintain trails and just generally get their act together in this area with regard to hiking trails.

We've been camping, hiking, and picnicking in this national forest for about 30 years, and still haven't covered all of it. When other public campgrounds became too full on big weekends, we could always count on finding a place here, at no charge. And now that we have a summer place in Ruidoso, we can visit anytime without having to make a 246 mile trip from West Texas.

Roadtrips are roadtrips. Sometimes getting to your destination is half the fun. Sometimes the miles drag on and on (like Lubbock to Dallas or Midland to well, anywhere within 4 miles!).

But this perfectly pave section of national forest is an amazing place to visit. Waterfalls, rugged wind strewn piles of rocks reaching more than 12,000' in the air, colorful birds, raptors... all around.

But at each turn off, or hiking stop we made, we met friendly people. Respectful people. The kind of people that make you want to go experience it all again, even if it is a 4.5 hour drive through West Texas/Eastern New Mexico wasteland to get there.

This is one of my favorite places to hike! Great trail system, and beautiful views. Unfortunately, the Little Bear fire has necessitated the closure of many of the popular trails, but in the next few years, these trails may re-open for hiking.

We spent a day exploring this area. The roads lead thru forests and across mountain streams. We found a road that is only open in the summer. It was an isolated and peaceful drive. I hope to go back some day.

The Lincoln National Forest is so beautiful! Lots of hiking trails in the cool pines. Ruidoso NM has tons of rental cabins and great restauants with birds and wildlife abundant. We love this environment!!

Our favorite hiking locations are in this treasure of a forest. The Ranger Station has a ton of maps and information for more trails than you can do all summer! Bring Bear Spray as we saw fresh tracks! Beautiful Elk herd was merely 100 ft from us. Always a great experience!

I suggest visiting one of the Ranger Stations at one of the entry points to the forest. We went by the Smoky Bear Ranger station in Ruidoso and got trail maps, souvenirs and enjoyed speaking with one of the rangers about the flora and fauna in the forest. There are several trails of differing elevations, lengths and difficulties and several entry points. There are also well-appointed bathrooms in some areas of the trail, good signage on the trail and trailheads and lots of great places to hike. In some areas there are also picnic tables and metal grills for day use. My ten-year-old son and I enjoyed 40 minutes of hiking and viewing the scenery, scrambling up inclines, over rocks and jumping over a small stream.

The Lincoln National Forest offers a wide variety of hikes for all types of hikers. Make sure you stop at the ranger station just outside Ruidoso to pick up a free trail map and get some advice from knowledgeable rangers. Many trails are off-limits due to destruction caused by the 2012 fire which was huge. We hiked a 7 mile loop whose trail head was several miles past Bonito Lake, which is currently almost dry due to reconstruction related to the fire. We hiked up the Bonito Trail to the Crest Trail and then down the Argentina Peak trail. The views along the Crest were beautiful so don't take the cut-off trail about a mile before you arrive at the Crest. The trails are rated moderate and difficult , which I think are accurate. The Bonito trail runs along a stream which is crossed several times but was low when we were there in early May. Although you're hiking in the forest, there are stretches with little shade. Take plenty of water and sunscreen.

Lincoln National Forest is a gem in southern New Mexico. Wonderful system of hiking trails of various levels. The forest is naturally recovering from a siginificant fire about 10 years ago. If you are willing to explore an "off the beaten path" forest, you will be rewarded.This is the forest which gave birth to Smokey Bear.

Unfortunately, the Little Bear fire was so distructive to many great hiking areas; yet, this is a huge forest. There is still plenty of places to go to enjoy this wilderness experience.

During any holiday Ruidoso is packed with tourists. So book your hotel or cabin early. Staying off the main street is best as there is a lot of road noise in most places.

What a wonderful hike this was, Great views and the dogs loved it. Saw lots of Elk and Deer and the forest was beautiful.

On the way to Billy the Kid country. Lincoln Country is an historical and interesting area to visit. Would highly recommend if you like history.

I have been going to Ruidoso for over 20 years. It is a great break from the heat of Texas during the summer. The National Park has gone through a lot of changes through the years with the pine beetle outbreak. There are still some Park beautiful areas to see while visiting Ruidoso.

This forest is very large. Stop by the forest station in Ruidoso to pick up a map of hiking, biking and horse riding trails. They also have a nice exhibit of local birds for you to see as well as books and t-shirts for kids on smokey the bear.
Next to the station in town is a park with a walking trail supplied with outdoor work out spots. Across the road is a creek with picnic tables and plenty of room for the family to explore. I went there 40 or 50 years ago as a child and still go there sometimes.
Currently we go into the mountain on the expansive trail system to ride mules. Some areas have roads for 4-wheelers and jeeps but there are also trails for just hiking or riding. There are also lakes to visit and fishing can be good. The ski area is at the top of White Mountain or Sierra Blanca as it was called. Don't miss the zip line at the top and the view even if you don't ski. Just ride the gondola up to the top and hike or bike down in the summer or ski in the winter. Its beautiful.

Visit the home of Smokey Bear, a great place to educate the younger generation and teach the the importance of conservation and the dangers of fire in the forest. The township of Lincoln is very cozy, great place to see a little history of Billy the Kid.
Our family loves coming to this region and escape the desert heat, and see trees.
The personnel at the Smokey Bear Ranger District in Ruidoso, NM are very helpful giving out information on what is going on, where to go, and all the different places to visit. Plan on staying for a few days, there are campgrounds, lakes, rivers and cool nights during the summer months, and depending on Mother Nature a beautiful display of fall colors when the aspens, maples and oak turn the slopes in a beautiful array of colors.

Spent a week in this area, in and out of Ruidoso. The landscape is so different from other areas in New Mexico. I would highly recommend exploring here. We ended up driving to the top of a mountain and having a picnic, such a great experience!

The Forest Service in Ruidoso decided that the Bonito basin and about 30% of the ski area as well as hundreds of homes were not needed in the area above the village of Ruidoso. So they stood around and watched a lightning caused fire that they had five days to quench rage out of control when the winds kicked up to 40 MPH. A disaster ensued of major proportions that ruined the best recreation and scenic areas on the east slopes of Sierra Blanca mountain,
The result has been a very ugly drive thru a burned out forest and the loss of habitats for animals.It also has caused great anxiety in the people who live there due to the fact that the "Little Bear Fire" could have easily taken out the town if the wind had changed direction just a slight amount.
My family moved from this area as soon as we could. It has fallen prey to political abuses and poor management in every regard,

Great hiking with ample parking! Beautiful scenery. We went the first day of our vacation and plan to go back each day for hiking

This little campground outside of Cloudcroft, NM is nestled in the trees, sweet and inviting. We spent a couple of nights here and had a great time exploring the area. This is a beautiful part of New Mexico and a beautiful campground, and at $16/night, it can't be beat!