Cedar Creek Campsite
Ruidoso NM Boondocking Location
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| ADDRESS |
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| 599 Cedar Creek Road Ruidoso, New Mexico GPS: 33.367632, -105.720039 Elevation: 7467′ |
| MANAGEMENT |
| Public – Forest Service 575-257-4095 This is a FREE campsite. |
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Previous Reviews:
Cedar Creek Campsite Ruidoso NM boondocking location: The maximum RV length at Cedar Creek is 15 feet. Free Dispersed camping in the Lincoln National Forest’s Smokey Bear Ranger District. This campsite does not use a reservation system. First come, first served. This is a high elevation location.
Solid campsite, down a gravel road for approximately a mile, with a turn around at the end. I didn’t get to explore much because I came late, but you will go through several residential areas. Turning into the main entrance takes you roughly 3 miles into the woods. I camp in my Jeep Wrangler with a rooftop tent and plenty of parking.
About This Location
If you’re searching for a quiet spot to boondock near Cedar Creek, New Mexico, check out the dispersed camping options along Cedar Creek Road in Lincoln National Forest.
This Cedar Creek Campsite Ruidoso NM boondocking location works best for tent camping or small vehicles. The area isn’t really friendly for RVs, to be honest.
You’ll set up camp in a forested setting and get that close-to-nature vibe—no developed facilities here, just the basics.
Be ready for primitive camping. No bathrooms, no water, just you and the trees.
The road ends in a loop near a residential area. Remember to camp respectfully and follow forest rules.
If you want a simple, off-grid experience near Ruidoso, this spot might just hit the mark.
Location And Access
You’ll find the Cedar Creek Campsite Ruidoso NM boondocking location in Lincoln National Forest, near Ruidoso, New Mexico.
It’s tucked off Forest Road 88—people call it Cedar Creek Road—just north of the Smokey Bear Ranger Station.
Here, you’re looking at dispersed camping. There are no developed facilities, so you’ll need a high-clearance vehicle for some stretches, especially after rain or snow.
Getting here from main highways is pretty straightforward, but it’s more remote than some of the popular boondocking sites.
If Arizona or Texas is your starting point, you’ll drive east through New Mexico for a good while. Coming from Flagstaff or Phoenix? Expect several hours heading northeast.
Nearby desert boondocking like Quartzsite or the Sonoran Desert in Pima County looks totally different and also skips the full services.
Boondocking at Cedar Creek Campsite Ruidoso NM boondocking location isn’t like camping near the Colorado River or Grand Canyon. Here, it’s all about forested terrain and cooler temps at elevation.
If you’ve visited Big Bend National Park in Texas or Grand Mesa in Colorado, Cedar Creek offers a totally different forest setting. Since this is national forest, the rules won’t be the same as BLM lands.
Plan your route and bring supplies. Towns are few and far between.
This spot suits campers who want quiet, off-grid time in a forested patch of New Mexico.
Directions
To get to Cedar Creek Campsite Ruidoso NM boondocking location, start in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Head west on Mechem Drive. After about half a mile, look for Cedar Creek Road on your right.
Turn onto Cedar Creek Road and keep going west. This road leads you toward the camping and boondocking areas in Lincoln National Forest.
Follow the forest road system to reach the end of Cedar Creek Road. The terrain is forested, and elevation changes can slow you down or make driving tricky.
Check that your vehicle can handle unpaved forest roads. Watch for posted signs, and use a map or GPS that works off-road.
If you start near the Smokey Bear Ranger Station, Cedar Creek Road sits just north and is easy to spot.
You won’t see highway numbers for this road—just local forest route names—so use landmarks like Ruidoso and Mechem Drive.
Bring plenty of supplies. Facilities are pretty much nonexistent in this boondocking area.
Amenities And Activities
At Cedar Creek Campsite Ruidoso NM boondocking location, you’ll find dry camping or boondocking—no hookups, no water, no electricity.
You’ll need to rely on your RV’s solar setup or haul in what you need. If you’re in a travel trailer, 5th wheel, or just tent camping, you’re good.
There’s no official RV park or mobile home park here. No clubhouses, no fancy amenities like in Rincon Country West RV Resort or Oxbow Estates RV Park.
You’re bringing your own comforts. That’s just how it goes.
For outdoor fun, hiking and biking trails wind through Lincoln National Forest. Want more adventure? ATV trails run through the region.
Group picnic shelters sit near Cedar Creek, but they’re basic and don’t offer much in the way of facilities.
If you’re a snowbird or just want a quiet place to park your RV, this spot delivers peace and plenty of space. Just plan for dry camping and come prepared.
RV sites are scattered, so you’ll get wide, natural spacing.
This place is for folks who’d rather have a back-to-nature experience than a full-service RV resort. If you’re into RVing with solar panels or tent camping in the woods, you’ll probably like it here.
Camping Regulations And Restrictions
When you camp at Cedar Creek Campsite Ruidoso NM boondocking location, you’ve got to follow some specific rules to keep the area healthy. Dispersed camping’s fine, but you can only stay in one spot for up to 16 days.
Once you hit that 16-day mark, you’ll need to move your campsite at least 5 road miles away if you want to stick around the area. This rule’s in place to help the land recover a bit.
Follow the Leave No Trace principles.
You need to pack out all your trash and leave no trace. Fire restrictions change depending on weather and fire danger, so always check the latest regulations before you even think about lighting a campfire.
Don’t expect any water or restroom facilities in dispersed camping areas. Bring your own water and make sure you handle sanitation the right way.
Keep campsites clean and as natural as you can. Try not to damage plants or wildlife, and stick to existing sites if you find them.
Key points:
- Maximum stay: 16 days
- Move at least 5 miles after 16 days
- Pack out all trash
- Fire rules vary; check before lighting fire
- Bring your own water and supplies
- Minimize impact on nature
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| Wildlife Viewing |
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