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$32 - $57/night
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Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$32 - $57/night
Booking
Check Site
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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32.9675, -105.7374
Fall is the sweet spot, September through October, when elk bugling fills the forest and daytime temps stay in the 50s and 60s. Arrive Monday or Tuesday since it's first-come, first-served and Texas weekenders fill it fast. Bring your own firewood.
No hookups, no reservations, and water isn't at every site. If you need electrical or a guaranteed spot, this won't work. Weekends in summer and fall you may circle the loop and leave empty-handed.
Reference information about Pines Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Pines Group Campground lies just NE of Cloudcroft and has 24 sites. Out of these 24 sites, 21 are single units, 2 are double units and 1 is a triple unit site. Douglas and white fir forest offers escape from desert heat to tent campers and large groups, good access to trails for hiking. Available at the site are tables, fire rings, parking spurs, gray water sumps, toilets, central garbage depository are all available here. Tents are allowed and RV's are limited to a maximum length of 35 feet.</p><p>There are connections to local area trails at the site, one of which takes you to the very popular Osha Trail (T10) named for the Osha plant found along its paths. Here there are stunning views of the Mexican Canyon Trestle and Tularosa Basin below.</p><p>(<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3798466.pdf">Sacramento District Camping Brochure</a>)</p>
The elevation is 8,700 ft. The campground has two loops named Butterfly and Chipmunk. In the middle of Butterfly Loop is a fenced meadow. This protected area is the home of the Checkerspot Butterfly found only here and in a few other areas around Cloudcroft. The Checkerspot is dependant on the New Mexico Penstemon and Orange Sneezeweed growing within the fenced area. Several campsites in this loop overlook the fenced area. The only tent pads in the campground are located on this loop. Chipmunk Loop, on the left of fee board and up an incline has a limited turn around. Motorhomes should detach dingy before exploring this loop. Towering Ponderosa pines provide some shade but most sites will be sunny for part of the day. The lack of middlestory results in fair to good privacy. Firewood is available for a fee. This is a good campground for hikers who want to explore the forest via the Osha Trail. Day trips are visiting the town of Cloudcroft, Sunspot Observatory, Bluff Springs and Trestle Recreation Area. Cloudcroft has several craft and variety shops to include a miniature golf course. The Sunspot Observatory is at the end of the 16-mile Sunspot Highway or Scenic Byway. You can take a free self-guided tour of the various observatories and watch the scientists at work - a great place for the whole family. Bring a picnic lunch. The Trestle Recreation Area has the Cloud-Climbing Rail Trail with several scenic overlooks and a replica of a train depot. Bluff Springs is a trail leading to a waterfall. Pick up literature at the Chamber of Commerce in Cloudcroft. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques.
Open May 17 through September 3
Hot showers are available, for a fee, at the Silver campground (National Forest) off State Rt. 244. The first five gallons of water are included in the camping fee. After that, a fee is charged for each additional gallon of water. There is also a fee for trash pick-up.
The parking aprons are paved. The Forest Service recommends a maximum vehicle length of 40'. Pull-throughs are parallel style parking. An RV waste station, with potable water, is available for a fee at the Silver campground (National Forest) off State Rt. 244. A sign posted at entrance to the Chipmonk section states: "Maximum vehicle length 40 ft."
From Cloudcroft, NM, take US Rt. 82 east 0.2 miles to State Rt. 244. Turn left onto Rt. 244 and go 0.5 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.
Official information for Pines Campground from the federal Recreation.gov facility record. View official page →
Pines Campground is located in the Lincoln National Forest in Cloudcroft, New Mexico at an elevation of 8700 feet. This is a heavily forested campground with large pine trees which provide plenty of shade. Wildlife viewing is a great opportunity here as this forest is home to a large population of Elk. Roads within the campground are paved.
This is a prime location for wildlife viewing due to the large population of Elk in the Lincoln National Forest. This forest spans 1,103,441 acres and is a great place for hiking, caving, picknicking, horseback riding, hunting and sightseeing.
This campground offers standard sites, accomodating both tent and RV camping. Ammenities include picnic tables, grills, fire rings, water spigots, vault toilets and paved parking spurs
This location provides great views of the White Sands National Park salt flats. The Lincoln National Forest offers a variety of trails, including the Osha Trail, the Little Apache Trail, and the Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail.
There is a variety of stores to shop at roughly 20 miles from the campground in Alamogordo, NM.
<p><strong>Travel east on US82 from Cloudcroft, turn left onto NM244. Less than 1 mile later on your left you will find the entrance to Pines Campground (across the street from the Fir Campgrounds).</strong></p>
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Best season: fall. Visit in fall for the elk rut and peak mountain color — daytime highs are typically in the 40s–60s°F with crisp nights dropping toward freezing, and the forest takes on amber and gold hues in late September–October. Elk bugling and increased elk activity make wildlife viewing spectacular, while cooler, more stable weather reduces afternoon thunderstorms common in summer. Expect moderate crowds on weekends (Cloudcroft is a popular mountain getaway) but quieter midweek trails and excellent photo/观 Peak months: October, September, June, July Avoid: January, February
Fall brings the elk rut and peak color; elk bugling peaks in Sept–Oct.
Pines Campground offers standard sites with paved parking spurs and paved roads, shaded by large pine trees. On-site amenities listed include picnic tables, grills, fire rings, water spigots, and vault toilets.
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