This is a FREE campsite.

Address
599 Cedar Creek Road
Ruidoso, New Mexico
GPS: 33.367632, -105.720039
Elevation: 7467'
Get Directions

Management
Public - Forest Service
575-257-4095

The maximum RV length at Cedar Creek is 15 feet.

Activities:
Been here? Rate it!
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (9 votes, average: 3.89 out of 5)
Submitted by Anonymous. Last update on Jan 22, 2015

Based on 3 reports
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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.


Most helpful review
William Holloway on June 24, 2021

We stayed here last Monday and Tues, left on Wednesday. We used the last area left from the trash cans in the shade of a few trees. There are two main hiking trails here. The left spot made a great hammock spot. The downside is the soil will stain shoes, flipflops, etc. It is quiet but busy with hikers. Wife saw a bear about 400 yards from tent site and lots of singing birds which is peaceful. For a free forest service site, we thought it was very good. We brought an extra tent for a bucket toilet; not having vaulted toilets is really the only downside for us. It is 3 miles from the main road and very close to Albertson's and Alsup gas so it is very close to get essentials. We would definitely stay here again as it was about 58 degrees in the late evening morning and low 80s in heat of day. If you bring tents, a shade 10x10 is very helpful. The day use area is about half way to the main road (1.5 miles) with two vaulted toilet bldgs.


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Bill Hawkins
Anonymous User

Nice site

Bill Hawkins gives a rating of 5Bill Hawkins gives a rating of 5Bill Hawkins gives a rating of 5Bill Hawkins gives a rating of 5Bill Hawkins gives a rating of 5
Reviewed August 28, 2022

I arrived in Ruidosa after a long drive from Fort Worth. I got on the freecampsite for the nearest location. It directed me to this site. Like others have said you turn off a main road to asphalt road that turns into a gravel road. Since it also goes through housing areas you may think you are on the wrong path. You eventually end in a circle. This place is probably designed for tent camping but I was in a camper van and had plenty of room. Proababy not the place for motor homes or larger than small trailers. I enjoyed by 3 day stay there and loved it. Cool in the daytime and cold at night. A large bull Elk visited every morning. There are no facilites except large bear proof trash cans. I found it nice and quite. Very close to downtown. I have T Mobile and internet was ok one night and not the next.

Stayed here in a Passenger Vehicle. Bill Hawkins would stay here again.

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William Holloway
Anonymous User
William Holloway gives a rating of 4William Holloway gives a rating of 4William Holloway gives a rating of 4William Holloway gives a rating of 4William Holloway gives a rating of 4
Reviewed June 24, 2021

We stayed here last Monday and Tues, left on Wednesday. We used the last area left from the trash cans in the shade of a few trees. There are two main hiking trails here. The left spot made a great hammock spot. The downside is the soil will stain shoes, flipflops, etc. It is quiet but busy with hikers. Wife saw a bear about 400 yards from tent site and lots of singing birds which is peaceful. For a free forest service site, we thought it was very good. We brought an extra tent for a bucket toilet; not having vaulted toilets is really the only downside for us. It is 3 miles from the main road and very close to Albertson's and Alsup gas so it is very close to get essentials. We would definitely stay here again as it was about 58 degrees in the late evening morning and low 80s in heat of day. If you bring tents, a shade 10x10 is very helpful. The day use area is about half way to the main road (1.5 miles) with two vaulted toilet bldgs.

Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. William Holloway would stay here again.

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secessus
secessus
Joined 6 years ago

busy turnaround

secessus gives a rating of 2secessus gives a rating of 2secessus gives a rating of 2secessus gives a rating of 2secessus gives a rating of 2
Reviewed April 22, 2021

This is basically a turnaround loop. We stayed because we were tired and needed something lower than nearby sites at higher elevations.

The main thing in the Plus column is trash cans, so I rate it 2 stars instead of 1. Other than that it is a cramped area used heavily by locals for trail exercise and I don't think it's practical as a vehicle-camping spot. Signs limit stays to 3 days, and warn of bears and mountain lions. Graffiti warns of bees just off the parking area.

I carry three SIMs for technical reasons, 0-1 bars Verizon, 0-1 bars ATT, 0 Tmo.

Stayed here in a 19 foot-long Class B (RV). secessus would not stay here again.

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Mammoth Wool
Anonymous User

No room for RVs and you can do way better in the area

Mammoth Wool gives a rating of 2Mammoth Wool gives a rating of 2Mammoth Wool gives a rating of 2Mammoth Wool gives a rating of 2Mammoth Wool gives a rating of 2
Reviewed February 10, 2019

There isn't much in the way of campsites on this road. It's basically a turnaround trailhead at the end. You could maybe fit in here with a small class C RV but even if the turnaround/trailhead had been empty, we wouldn't have been able to find a spot with our 30' 5th wheel. It's really just for tents. Lots of traffic and doesn't really feel like a camping spot.

Mammoth Wool would not stay here again.

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Nick
Anonymous User
Nick gives a rating of 5Nick gives a rating of 5Nick gives a rating of 5Nick gives a rating of 5Nick gives a rating of 5
Reviewed July 4, 2018

Lots of traffic on this road. Recommend staying elsewhere if you can.

Stayed here in a Truck Camper (RV). Nick would not stay here again.

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Nick
Anonymous User

Nick Tonka Jeep life

Nick gives a rating of 5Nick gives a rating of 5Nick gives a rating of 5Nick gives a rating of 5Nick gives a rating of 5
Reviewed April 30, 2018

Solid camp site, down a gravel road for about a mile, there’s a turn around at the end. I didn’t explore much because I arrived late, but you will drive through some residential areas. Turing in to the main entrance and it’s about 3 miles into the wooded area. I camp in my Jeep Wrangler with a roof top tent, plenty of parking.

Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Nick would stay here again.

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