Lincoln National Forest
Lincoln National Forest
4.5
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This vast 1.1 million-acre forest region is comprised of separate recreational sections including Ruidoso Valley, Cloudcroft and Carlsbad, which are all located throughout the southern Rocky Mountains of New Mexico.
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4.5
360 reviews
Excellent
272
Very good
74
Average
12
Poor
2
Terrible
0
LiketoeatCincinnati
Cincinnati, OH2,464 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
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.
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anniecat51
Garland, TX112 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
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.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick U
Lubbock, TX121 contributions
May 2020
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!!!
Written 1 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay Simmons
Kennebunkport, ME473 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
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.
We also visited the Smokey Bear Ranger District office which has lots of fun info about the Forest including Smokey Bear.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JHeston72
Hewitt, TX71 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
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.
Written 9 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michellerF6292ZX
Frisco, United States8 contributions
Sept 2020
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.
Written 23 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
llhtexas
Austin, TX287 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
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!
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RyliesMimi2014
Houston, TX85 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
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!
Written 25 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saintnash
Show Low, AZ64 contributions
Oct 2014 • Business
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,
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,
Written 14 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brownq8
Houston, TX332 contributions
We started by visiting the visitor's center in town to get suggetions on hikes. They suggested a few along with a few drives. We ended up doing a big circle tour with a few hikes (very short, easy) here and there as the mood hit us.
Started at Monjeau Lookout which is a circa 1930s fire lookout. Very cool! We lounged around quite a bit, dreaming out the bizarre experience of being a fire watcher, watching birds ride thermals, feeling the breeze on our face, etc.
From there we drove back down the mountain and headed north towards Carrizozo, cutting off in Nogal Canyon and up the back side of Blanco Mountain. It was a pretty drive with the beginnings of fall colors. We were going to turn around but then decided to continue over the pass and down to Bonito Lake. It was raining on and off or we would have gotten out a bit more--we did a lot of windshield time.
All in all, this was about six hours of dirving with some walking. By the way, the roads were paved or high quality dirt--we made it in our Toyota Camry without a problem but we did go slow and carefully, particularly on the switchbacks.
Started at Monjeau Lookout which is a circa 1930s fire lookout. Very cool! We lounged around quite a bit, dreaming out the bizarre experience of being a fire watcher, watching birds ride thermals, feeling the breeze on our face, etc.
From there we drove back down the mountain and headed north towards Carrizozo, cutting off in Nogal Canyon and up the back side of Blanco Mountain. It was a pretty drive with the beginnings of fall colors. We were going to turn around but then decided to continue over the pass and down to Bonito Lake. It was raining on and off or we would have gotten out a bit more--we did a lot of windshield time.
All in all, this was about six hours of dirving with some walking. By the way, the roads were paved or high quality dirt--we made it in our Toyota Camry without a problem but we did go slow and carefully, particularly on the switchbacks.
Written 1 October 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would like to know when is it typically peak foliage in the Lincoln National Park?
Written 24 August 2022
I'm not sure about snowmobiling. I know there's a lot of them in the Ruidoso and Cloudcroft area.
Written 25 January 2020
We will be at Carlsbad Caverns in February and are thinking about driving to Alamogordo from Artesia through the Lincoln National Forest. Are winter road closures likely to occur?
Written 7 January 2019
You should not have any travel problems making the trip, but Mother Nature can play havoc whenever she see fit. Call the New Mexico Department of Transportation, or go to their website; there you will get conditions all across the state. Have a safe trip, enjoy!
Written 8 January 2019
Hi, Deidre. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Hi, we would like to stay at Lincoln National Forest in December. We have a 28' RV and one dog. I'm having a hard time navigating the website. Can you tell me where to stay? Thanks!
Written 1 November 2018
Try reserveamerica.c for camping reservations all over the USA
Written 3 November 2018
Como esta el clima para las fiestas decembrinas?
Que atracciones hay en estas fechas?
Written 5 September 2018
En que fechas fue tu visita? es comun encontrar nevado? muchas gracias de ante-mano saludos
Written 1 December 2017
We were in Cloudcroft October 31, 2017. We had lunch at The Lodge. About 2:00 p.m. we went down to Ruidoso via the Mescalera reservation to U. s. Hwy 70. We were in Ruidoso about a week. We stayed in the private residence of friends. The highlight of our visit was a short hike around Alto Lake, north of town.
Mi apologias por tener tan mal EspaÑol.
Written 2 December 2017
Is Ski Apache apart of the Lincoln National Forest? Are there a lot of kid friendly activities during January?
Written 18 October 2017
It is in the Lincoln National Forest but, Ski Apache is a Mescalero-Apache owned resort. If Ruidoso has a good winter with snow, the mountain offers skiing. I'm sure they offer kiddy slopes.
Written 18 October 2017
Where are the best hikes to take children in Ruidoso?
Written 2 August 2017
My friend took us to Grindstone Lake and it was very pretty. A nice hike around the lake. The hike did not seem far but we did walk a while and got a good work out. Take the children I am sure they would like it.
Written 2 August 2017
What can I do in Ruidoso or in the surrounding area in July?
Written 4 July 2017
If you like to gamble, there is a large casino. The scenery in and around Ruidoso is spectacular. The small town of Cloudcroft is 30 miles away and should not be missed. There is great craft beer at one of the bar 'n grills there that should not be missed. White Sands National Monument can be seen from a tunnel that is on the road to Cloudcroft. If you are into history, take a tour of Fort Stanton, which is a short distance from Ruidoso. Drive to the top of the mountain for a spectacular view of the entire surrounding area. Stroll and shop the quaint stores that line both sides of the main street. Take a drive to Lincoln where you can see the jail where Billy the Kid shot his way to freedom.
Written 4 July 2017
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