Sacramento RD
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
- A Trail (T119)
- Alamo Canyon Trail (T104)
- Alamo Peak Trail (T109)
- Apple Tree Canyon Trail (T5601)
- Atkinson Field Trail (T111)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail (T5005A)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail 2 (T5005B)
- Benson Canyon Trail (T5005)
- Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail (T5006)
- Caballero Canyon Trail (T103)
- Chippeway Spur Trail (T247E)
- Cloud-Climbing Trestle Trail (T5001)
- Corral Canyon Trail (T537)
- Courtney Mine Trail (T132)
- Crossover Trail (T5001C)
- Dark Canyon Trail (T5700)
- Dry Canyon Trail (T5574)
- Elk Canyon Trail (T253D)
- Goat Springs Trail (T118)
- Heart Attack Canyon Trail (T235)
- Hubbell Canyon Trail (T9277)
- Lick Canyon Trail (T5543)
- Lick Ridge Trail (T9666A)
- Little Apache Trail (T124)
- Little Lewis Canyon Trail (T239A)
- Long Canyon Trail (T9652)
- Lucas Canyon Trail (T251)
- Mineral Springs Trail (T5579)
- Moonshine Trail (T90V)
- Mule Canyon Trail (T114)
- Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail (T5002)
- Old Sunspot Highway Trail (T5009)
- Pines North Trail (T5688)
- Pines Trail (T568)
- Pipeline Trail (T110)
- Prestridge Trail East (T9611B)
- Prestridge Trail West (T9611A)
- Pumphouse Ridge 1 Trail (T5661C)
- Pumphouse Ridge 2 Trail (T5661D)
- Pumphouse Ridge 3 Trail (T5661F)
- Pumphouse Ridge 4 Trail (T5661H)
- Pumphouse Ridge 5 Trail (T5661Q)
- Ranchario Trail (T329)
- Rim Trail (T105)
- Road Canyon Trail (T234)
- Roundup Ground Trail (T107)
- Sacramento North Trail (T5008D)
- Schofield Canyon Trail (T5007A)
- Schofield/Benson Canyon Trail (T5007C)
- Scott Able Trail (T126)
- Sleepy Grass Trail (T11)
- Spiller Canyon Trail (T9201)
- Switchback Trail (T5004)
- Taylor Canyon Trail (T5007)
- Thousand Mile Canyon Trail (T9216)
- Toboggan Canyon Trail (T5003)
- Upper Dry Canyon Alternate Trail (T5574A)
- Upper Dry Canyon Trail (T5573)
- Upper Wills Canyon Trail (T9278)
- Village Spur Trail (T5001A)
- Willie White Trail (T113)
- Wills Canyon Trail (T5008)
- Zinker Canyon Trail (T5660)
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
- Apache Campground
- Deerhead Campground
- James Canyon Campground
- Pines Campground
- Saddle Campground
- Silver Campground and Amphitheater
- Silver Overflow Campground
- Sleepy Grass Campground
- Upper Karr Recreation Area
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
- Aspen Group Campground
- Black Bear Group Campground
- Lower Fir Group Campground
- Slide Group Campground
- Upper Fir Group Campground
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
- A Trail (T119)
- Alamo Canyon Trail (T104)
- Alamo Peak Trail (T109)
- Apache Nature Trail (T231)
- Apple Tree Canyon Trail (T5601)
- Apple Tree Spur Trail (T5601A)
- Atkinson Field Trail (T111)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail (T5005A)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail 2 (T5005B)
- Benson Canyon Trail (T5005)
- Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail (T5006)
- Bridal Veil Falls Trail (T129)
- Caballero Canyon Trail (T103)
- Cathey Canyon Trail (T105A)
- Chippeway Spur Trail (T247E)
- Chippeway Trail (T250)
- Cloud-Climbing Trestle Trail (T5001)
- Corral Canyon Trail (T537)
- Courtney Mine Trail (T132)
- Crossover Trail (T5001C)
- Dark Canyon Trail (T5700)
- Dog Canyon Trail (T106)
- Dry Canyon Trail (T5574)
- Elk Canyon Trail (T253D)
- Fir Trail (T122)
- Goat Springs Trail (T118)
- Gobbler Knob Trail (T236)
- Grand View Trail (T130)
- Heart Attack Canyon Trail (T235)
- Hell's Hole Trail (T219)
- Hubbell Canyon Trail (T9277)
- La Pasada Encantada Trail (T233)
- Lick Canyon Trail (T5543)
- Lick Ridge Trail (T9666A)
- Little Apache Trail (T124)
- Little Lewis Canyon Trail (T239A)
- Long Canyon Trail (T9652)
- Lower Fir Group Campground
- Lower San Andres Trail (T2094)
- Lucas Canyon Trail (T251)
- Mineral Springs Trail (T5579)
- Monument Canyon Trail (T123)
- Moonshine Trail (T90V)
- Mule Canyon Trail (T114)
- Nelson Canyon Trail (T232)
- Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail (T5002)
- Old Sunspot Highway Trail (T5009)
- Osha Trail (T10)
- Overlook Trail (T5001B)
- Pines North Trail (T5688)
- Pines Trail (T568)
- Pipeline Trail (T110)
- Prestridge Trail East (T9611B)
- Prestridge Trail West (T9611A)
- Pumphouse Ridge 1 Trail (T5661C)
- Pumphouse Ridge 2 Trail (T5661D)
- Pumphouse Ridge 3 Trail (T5661F)
- Pumphouse Ridge 4 Trail (T5661H)
- Pumphouse Ridge 5 Trail (T5661Q)
- Ranchario Trail (T329)
- Rim Trail (T105)
- Road Canyon Alt Trail (T234A)
- Road Canyon Trail (T234)
- Roundup Ground Trail (T107)
- Sacramento North Trail (T5008D)
- Saddle Nature Trail (T230)
- Salado Canyon Trail (T128)
- San Andres Canyon Trail (T125)
- Schofield Canyon Trail (T5007A)
- Schofield/Benson Canyon Trail (T5007C)
- Schofield/Taylor Canyon Trail (T5007D)
- Scott Able Trail (T126)
- Shortcut Trail (T5007B)
- Silver Nature Trail (T229)
- Sleepy Grass Trail (T11)
- Spiller Canyon Trail (T9201)
- Sunspot Trail (T105B)
- Switchback Trail (T5004)
- Taylor Canyon Trail (T5007)
- Thousand Mile Canyon Trail (T9216)
- Toboggan Canyon Trail (T5003)
- Trestle Recreation Area
- Upper Dry Canyon Alternate Trail (T5574A)
- Upper Dry Canyon Trail (T5573)
- Upper Wills Canyon Trail (T9278)
- Village Spur Trail (T5001A)
- Wayland Canyon Trail (T433)
- Willie White Spur Trail (T112)
- Willie White Trail (T113)
- Wills Canyon Trail (T5008)
- Zinker Canyon Trail (T5660)
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Sacramento RD
- A Trail (T119)
- Alamo Canyon Trail (T104)
- Alamo Peak Trail (T109)
- Apple Tree Canyon Trail (T5601)
- Apple Tree Spur Trail (T5601A)
- Atkinson Field Trail (T111)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail (T5005A)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail 2 (T5005B)
- Benson Canyon Trail (T5005)
- Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail (T5006)
- Bridal Veil Falls Trail (T129)
- Caballero Canyon Trail (T103)
- Cathey Canyon Trail (T105A)
- Chippeway Spur Trail (T247E)
- Chippeway Trail (T250)
- Corral Canyon Trail (T537)
- Courtney Mine Trail (T132)
- Crossover Trail (T5001C)
- Dark Canyon Trail (T5700)
- Dog Canyon Trail (T106)
- Dry Canyon Trail (T5574)
- Elk Canyon Trail (T253D)
- Fir Trail (T122)
- Gobbler Knob Trail (T236)
- Grand View Trail (T130)
- Heart Attack Canyon Trail (T235)
- Hell's Hole Trail (T219)
- Hubbell Canyon Trail (T9277)
- La Pasada Encantada Trail (T233)
- Lick Canyon Trail (T5543)
- Lick Ridge Trail (T9666A)
- Little Apache Trail (T124)
- Little Lewis Canyon Trail (T239A)
- Long Canyon Trail (T9652)
- Lower San Andres Trail (T2094)
- Lucas Canyon Trail (T251)
- Mineral Springs Trail (T5579)
- Monument Canyon Trail (T123)
- Moonshine Trail (T90V)
- Mule Canyon Trail (T114)
- Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail (T5002)
- Old Sunspot Highway Trail (T5009)
- Osha Trail (T10)
- Overlook Trail (T5001B)
- Pines North Trail (T5688)
- Pines Trail (T568)
- Pipeline Trail (T110)
- Prestridge Trail East (T9611B)
- Prestridge Trail West (T9611A)
- Pumphouse Ridge 1 Trail (T5661C)
- Pumphouse Ridge 2 Trail (T5661D)
- Pumphouse Ridge 3 Trail (T5661F)
- Pumphouse Ridge 4 Trail (T5661H)
- Pumphouse Ridge 5 Trail (T5661Q)
- Ranchario Trail (T329)
- Rim Trail (T105)
- Road Canyon Alt Trail (T234A)
- Road Canyon Trail (T234)
- Roundup Ground Trail (T107)
- Sacramento North Trail (T5008D)
- Salado Canyon Trail (T128)
- San Andres Canyon Trail (T125)
- Schofield Canyon Trail (T5007A)
- Schofield/Benson Canyon Trail (T5007C)
- Schofield/Taylor Canyon Trail (T5007D)
- Scott Able Trail (T126)
- Shortcut Trail (T5007B)
- Spiller Canyon Trail (T9201)
- Sunspot Trail (T105B)
- Switchback Trail (T5004)
- Taylor Canyon Trail (T5007)
- Thousand Mile Canyon Trail (T9216)
- Toboggan Canyon Trail (T5003)
- Upper Dry Canyon Alternate Trail (T5574A)
- Upper Dry Canyon Trail (T5573)
- Upper Wills Canyon Trail (T9278)
- Village Spur Trail (T5001A)
- Wayland Canyon Trail (T433)
- Willie White Spur Trail (T112)
- Willie White Trail (T113)
- Wills Canyon Trail (T5008)
- Zinker Canyon Trail (T5660)
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
- A Trail (T119)
- Alamo Canyon Trail (T104)
- Alamo Peak Trail (T109)
- Apple Tree Canyon Trail (T5601)
- Apple Tree Spur Trail (T5601A)
- Atkinson Field Trail (T111)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail (T5005A)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail 2 (T5005B)
- Benson Canyon Trail (T5005)
- Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail (T5006)
- Caballero Canyon Trail (T103)
- Cathey Canyon Trail (T105A)
- Chippeway Spur Trail (T247E)
- Chippeway Trail (T250)
- Cloud-Climbing Trestle Trail (T5001)
- Corral Canyon Trail (T537)
- Courtney Mine Trail (T132)
- Crossover Trail (T5001C)
- Dark Canyon Trail (T5700)
- Dog Canyon Trail (T106)
- Dry Canyon Trail (T5574)
- Elk Canyon Trail (T253D)
- Goat Springs Trail (T118)
- Gobbler Knob Trail (T236)
- Grand View Trail (T130)
- Heart Attack Canyon Trail (T235)
- Hell's Hole Trail (T219)
- Hubbell Canyon Trail (T9277)
- Lick Canyon Trail (T5543)
- Lick Ridge Trail (T9666A)
- Little Apache Trail (T124)
- Little Lewis Canyon Trail (T239A)
- Long Canyon Trail (T9652)
- Lower San Andres Trail (T2094)
- Lucas Canyon Trail (T251)
- Mineral Springs Trail (T5579)
- Monument Canyon Trail (T123)
- Moonshine Trail (T90V)
- Mule Canyon Trail (T114)
- Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail (T5002)
- Old Sunspot Highway Trail (T5009)
- Pines North Trail (T5688)
- Pines Trail (T568)
- Pipeline Trail (T110)
- Prestridge Trail East (T9611B)
- Prestridge Trail West (T9611A)
- Pumphouse Ridge 1 Trail (T5661C)
- Pumphouse Ridge 2 Trail (T5661D)
- Pumphouse Ridge 3 Trail (T5661F)
- Pumphouse Ridge 4 Trail (T5661H)
- Pumphouse Ridge 5 Trail (T5661Q)
- Ranchario Trail (T329)
- Rim Trail (T105)
- Road Canyon Alt Trail (T234A)
- Road Canyon Trail (T234)
- Roundup Ground Trail (T107)
- Sacramento North Trail (T5008D)
- San Andres Canyon Trail (T125)
- Schofield Canyon Trail (T5007A)
- Schofield/Benson Canyon Trail (T5007C)
- Schofield/Taylor Canyon Trail (T5007D)
- Scott Able Trail (T126)
- Shortcut Trail (T5007B)
- Spiller Canyon Trail (T9201)
- Sunspot Trail (T105B)
- Switchback Trail (T5004)
- Taylor Canyon Trail (T5007)
- Thousand Mile Canyon Trail (T9216)
- Toboggan Canyon Trail (T5003)
- Upper Dry Canyon Alternate Trail (T5574A)
- Upper Dry Canyon Trail (T5573)
- Upper Wills Canyon Trail (T9278)
- Village Spur Trail (T5001A)
- Wayland Canyon Trail (T433)
- Willie White Spur Trail (T112)
- Willie White Trail (T113)
- Wills Canyon Trail (T5008)
- Zinker Canyon Trail (T5660)
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
- A Trail (T119)
- Alamo Canyon Trail (T104)
- Alamo Peak Trail (T109)
- Apple Tree Canyon Trail (T5601)
- Atkinson Field Trail (T111)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail (T5005A)
- Benson Canyon Spur Trail 2 (T5005B)
- Benson Canyon Trail (T5005)
- Benson Ridge / Bluff Springs Trail (T5006)
- Caballero Canyon Trail (T103)
- Chippeway Spur Trail (T247E)
- Corral Canyon Trail (T537)
- Courtney Mine Trail (T132)
- Dark Canyon Trail (T5700)
- Dry Canyon Trail (T5574)
- Elk Canyon Trail (T253D)
- Goat Springs Trail (T118)
- Heart Attack Canyon Trail (T235)
- Hubbell Canyon Trail (T9277)
- Lick Canyon Trail (T5543)
- Lick Ridge Trail (T9666A)
- Little Apache Trail (T124)
- Little Lewis Canyon Trail (T239A)
- Long Canyon Trail (T9652)
- Lucas Canyon Trail (T251)
- Mineral Springs Trail (T5579)
- Moonshine Trail (T90V)
- Mule Canyon Trail (T114)
- Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail (T5002)
- Old Sunspot Highway Trail (T5009)
- Pines North Trail (T5688)
- Pines Trail (T568)
- Pipeline Trail (T110)
- Prestridge Trail East (T9611B)
- Prestridge Trail West (T9611A)
- Pumphouse Ridge 1 Trail (T5661C)
- Pumphouse Ridge 2 Trail (T5661D)
- Pumphouse Ridge 3 Trail (T5661F)
- Pumphouse Ridge 4 Trail (T5661H)
- Pumphouse Ridge 5 Trail (T5661Q)
- Ranchario Trail (T329)
- Rim Trail (T105)
- Roundup Ground Trail (T107)
- Sacramento North Trail (T5008D)
- Schofield Canyon Trail (T5007A)
- Schofield/Benson Canyon Trail (T5007C)
- Scott Able Trail (T126)
- Spiller Canyon Trail (T9201)
- Taylor Canyon Trail (T5007)
- Thousand Mile Canyon Trail (T9216)
- Toboggan Canyon Trail (T5003)
- Upper Dry Canyon Alternate Trail (T5574A)
- Upper Dry Canyon Trail (T5573)
- Upper Wills Canyon Trail (T9278)
- Village Spur Trail (T5001A)
- Willie White Trail (T113)
- Wills Canyon Trail (T5008)
- Zinker Canyon Trail (T5660)
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
- Deerhead Campground
- James Canyon Campground
- Lower Karr Canyon Campground
- Pines Campground
- Saddle Campground
- Silver Campground and Amphitheater
- Silver Overflow Campground
- Sleepy Grass Campground
- Sleepy Grass Picnic Area
- Trestle Recreation Area
- Upper Karr Recreation Area
Group Picnicking
Areas for Group Picnicking 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