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You want high-elevation relief from desert heat with comfortable amenities and easy trail access.
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$32/night
Booking
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Sites
16 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$32/night
Booking
Check Site
Sites
16 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Saddle (Nm)
32.9710, -105.7260
You want high-elevation relief from desert heat with comfortable amenities and easy trail access.
You need winter camping or prefer lower-elevation desert landscapes.
Reference information about Saddle (Nm) sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Saddle Campground offers 16 single units for tents or RVs. Mixed conifer/aspen forest sites provide southern New Mexico an escape from summer heat on the desert floor. Tables, fire rings, parking spurs, gray water sumps, toilets, showers, central garbage depository, plus interpretive trails are available. 30' RV limit.</p><p>(<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3798466.pdf">Sacramento District Camping Brochure</a>)</p>
The elevation is 9,000 ft. The campground is the smallest of three in a "recreation area." It is nicely wooded with a mixture of Douglas fir, pine and deciduous trees. The campground is configured as a figure eight with the only water located at campground entrance. Privacy between campsites is poor to fair. Firewood is available for a fee. Interpretive programs are offered each Saturday evening at the amphitheater. Four pleasant day trips are visiting the town of Cloudcroft, Sunspot Observatory, Bluff Springs and Trestle Recreation Area. Cloudcroft has several craft and variety shops plus 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 April 10 through September 3
Hot showers are available for a fee. 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. A fee is required for use of RV waste station. Lincoln National Forest 230 A walk through Cloudcroft, New Mexico is a must. There is something very Old West about this town. The authors found the Western Bar & Café, with its very low roof and graffiti, to be very interesting.
From Cloudcroft, NM, take US Rt. 82 east 0.5 miles to State Rt. 244. Turn left onto Rt. 244 and go 1.9 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign and go 0.6 miles to the Saddle campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.
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Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Saddle Campground because the high-elevation setting (about 8,900 ft) offers reliably cool, pleasant weather when the desert below is sweltering. Expect daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s°F and crisp nights in the mid-30s to low-50s°F, making it perfect for tent camping, easy hikes on interpretive trails, and relaxing in the shade of aspens and conifers. Summer does bring afternoon monsoon showers (especially July–August) that can be brief but th Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February
Summer is most comfortable: daytime mid-60s to upper-70s°F, cool nights.
Campground is equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, parking spurs, gray water sumps, toilets, showers, and a central garbage depository.
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