4.4531 reviewsPrice
$20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
53 campsites
Season
Opens on May 17 unle...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
53 campsites
Season
Opens on May 17 unle...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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South Fork Campground, Lincoln National Forest, Smokey Bear Ranger District, New Mexico
Hikers targeting South Fork Trail #19 into the White Mountain Wilderness, or anglers after brook trout on the South Fork and rainbow trout at Bonito Lake. Spacious sites, friendly hosts, and cool summer highs in the 60s make this a solid summer base camp. Arrive early on summer w
No potable water on-site means hauling your own from Ruidoso 9 miles away, every trip. Also, the campground is currently closed; confirm the official site before making any plans. Weekend noise from groups ignoring quiet hours is a recurring complaint, so light sleepers on busy s
Reference information about South Fork Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>South Fork is one of the most popular camping sites on the Smokey Bear Ranger District. It has 53 sites with a stay limit of 14 days. Trail access to the White Mountain Wilderness leaves from the campground via the South Fork Trail (T19). The early portion of this trail is moderately easy with the higher portions being difficult. </p><p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://tourmkr.com/F1B0YqJYhm/" style="min-height:640px;width=100%;padding:0px;" width="100%"></iframe></p>
The elevation is 7,500 ft. The campground is convenient to Bonito Lake and adjacent to the White Mountain Wilderness. It is one of the oldest campgrounds in the Forest. In 2012, the Little Bear Fire swept through the campground and the surrounding area still bears the scares of that fire. Restoration work on the campground has been extensive and Southfork campground is returning to its former self. Many of the camp sites are scattered up a mountainside among Ponderosa pine. Others are walk-in tent sites distributed along the South Fork of the Rio Bonito. This is a pretty campground offering a wilderness experience with few of the difficulties. The understory is grass. NOTE: This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques.
Open May 15 through September 15
There is a mix of paved and gravel parking aprons. An RV waste station is located at the Westlake campground a short distance before Southfork campground. There is no potable water and expect to pay a fee to dump.
In Ruidoso, NM, at the intersection of US 70 and State Rt. 48, take Rt. 48 north 13.1 miles to State Rt. 37. Turn left onto Rt. 37 and go 1.3 miles to Bonito Lake sign. Turn left at sign and go 4.9 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.5 miles into campground.
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Summer brings daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s with cool nights dropping into the 40s and 50s. Afternoon monsoons are common from July through early August. This is peak season for full trail access and fishing at Bonito Lake, but expect crowds on weekends. Spring and fall offer solitude and crisp temperatures, though snow can close roads without warning. Winter sees temps in the 20s with snow likely, limiting access but creating quiet conditions for those who make it in.
Open in summer with cool days, clean facilities, full trails; monsoon afternoons noted.
Potable water is not available at this site.
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