Sacramento RD

Area Status: Open

The Sacramento Ranger District offers many different recreation opportunities for all seasons.

Scenic Viewing

Winter Sports

Picnicking

Group Picnicking

Camping

Group Camping

Dispersed or "road-side" camping:  

You may drive to park your RV no more than 300' from an open road designated for such use. Please check with one of our offices to obtain a free Motor Vehicle Use Map which details exactly what roads you are allowed to disperse camp along. Most roads, outside of US and State Highways are available for this use.  Please be mindful that there are many private land inholdings within the Forest and these lands are not available for camping.

Trails:

We offer trails ranging in use from hiking, pack/saddle, mountain biking, motorcycle riding and ATV riding (less than 50" in width).  Most side-by-sides are greater than 50" in width and exceed a weight limit, these can be enjoyed on our dirt roads.

There is little to no water available in many places so please bring what you need and be safe.

Activities

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking:

Mountain bikes are allowed on open roads and trails designated for such use.  Our trails multi-use routes which means that you will be sharing the path with pedestrians and sometimes with motorcycles and/or ATV's so remember to be courteous.

Areas for Mountain Biking at Sacramento RD

Campground Camping

Using our Developed Campgrounds:

We offer campground camping in across the district to varying levels of development.  Many are located in and around the Village of Cloudcroft with a handful located a bit further out.  No electricity is available at any Lincoln National Forest Campground.

Areas for Campground Camping at Sacramento RD

Group Camping

Group Camping:

The Sacramento Ranger District offers 5 group camping areas for use and is done by reservation only.  These are designed for larger groups and as such the cost is proportional to the number of users.  Please check with the Ranger Station or on this web site for specifics on group camping.

Areas for Group Camping at Sacramento RD

Dispersed Camping

 

Dispersed or "road-side" camping is allowed throughout the Lincoln National Forest.  You may drive to park your RV no more than 300' from an open road designated for such use. Please check with one of our offices to obtain a free Motor Vehicle Use Map which details exactly what roads you are allowed to disperse camp along.  Most roads, outside of US and State Highways are available for this use.  Please be mindful that there are many private land inholdings within the Forest.

Areas for Dispersed Camping at Sacramento RD

Day Hiking

Day Hiking:

All of the trails on the Sacramento Ranger District are considered 'day-hiking' trails as you can hike on them, or on portions of them, easily within a days time. 

Popular Day Hikes include:

Osha Trail, La Pasada Encantata, Trestle Recreation Area Trails and the Haynes Canyon Vista Trail.

Areas for Day Hiking at Sacramento RD

Backpacking

Areas for Backpacking at Sacramento RD

Horse Riding

Pack animals such as horses and mules are allowed on most of the trails within the Lincoln.  Please be mindful that they may be sharing the trail with pedestrians and motorized vehicles so plan accordingly.

Areas for Horse Riding at Sacramento RD

Big Game Hunting

Small Game Hunting

Viewing Scenery

A number of vistas (or viewing areas) offer stunning views of the lands in the area.  These include the Mexican Canyon Trestle, Haynes, Cathey and Nelson Canyon Vistas.

Areas for Viewing Scenery at Sacramento RD

OHV Trail Riding

Trails and Motorized Usage:

The Sacramento Ranger District offers the most diverse set of trails which allow motorized use (motorcycles and ATV's <50" wide).  Please check pages here to make sure you're on the right path.

Areas for OHV Trail Riding at Sacramento RD

Visitor Programs

Areas for Visitor Programs at Sacramento RD

Interpretive Areas

Areas for Interpretive Areas at Sacramento RD

Visitor Centers

The Sunspot Solar and Apache Point Observatories have a wonderful interpretive visitor center located at the end of the Sunspot Highway (NM6563).  It offers up information on the solar system, how the two observatories work, and much more.  Be sure to stop by if you have time.

Areas for Visitor Centers at Sacramento RD

Picnicking

You may picnic anywhere on Lincoln National Forest lands but we do have a few developed sites that offer lovely day picnic spots.  Please see the list below.

Areas for Picnicking at Sacramento RD

Group Picnicking

Areas for Group Picnicking at Sacramento RD

Scenic Driving

Areas for Scenic Driving at Sacramento RD

Sledding/Tubing

Sledding and tubing in the snow is offered at the Upper Karr Campground off the Sunspot Highway (NM6563).  For more information on when this area is open for use, please contact the Ranger Station at 575-682-2551.

Areas for Sledding/Tubing at Sacramento RD

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Sacramento RD

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
32.8363

  Longitude : 
-105.6627