National park · United States
Lincoln National Forest
No entrance fee: drive in free and pay only where a site charges (Sitting Bull Falls about $5 per vehicle). Base at Ruidoso or Cloudcroft for the high trails, or Carlsbad for Sitting Bull Falls; go May–October, and start walks before 10:00 in summer.No entrance fee: drive in free and pay only where a site charges (Sitting Bull Falls about $5 per vehicle). Base at Ruidoso or Cloudcroft for the high trails, or Carlsbad for Sitting Bull Falls; go May–October, and start walks before 10:00 AM in summer.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,450 km² (1,718 sq mi)1,718 sq mi (4,450 km²)
approximate
Established
1902
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 14Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Southwest ↗Most national parks here charge an entrance fee per vehicle; the nationwide annual pass pays off at three or more parks — check current prices.
- Southwest ↗Alcohol is banned on the Navajo Nation and in many pueblos; some Utah restaurants do not serve alcohol or coffee.
- New Mexico ↗Outside Santa Fe and central Albuquerque a car is effectively required; distances are long and buses are thin.
- New Mexico ↗Santa Fe sits at about 2,130 m and Taos higher; give the first day to acclimatise and drink more water than usual.
- New Mexico ↗Pueblos are living communities, not attractions: check each one's visitor rules, fees and photography bans before you drive in.
- Southeast New Mexico ↗Tap water in the plain tastes strongly of gypsum; it is safe but most visitors buy bottled water.
- Southeast New Mexico ↗A car is required; there is no practical bus or rail alternative between the sights.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 4,450 km² (1,718 sq mi)1,718 sq mi (4,450 km²)
- Roughly 1.1 million acres across three districts; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1902
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Lincoln National Forest is not one block of land: it is three separate districts spread across southern New Mexico — Sacramento (Cloudcroft), Smokey Bear (Ruidoso and Capitan) and Guadalupe (Carlsbad and Sitting Bull Falls). There is no gate and no general entrance fee; you pay only at developed sites such as Sitting Bull Falls. Elevation runs from desert floor near Carlsbad to over 3,600 m on Sierra Blanca, so the same day can be hot at the bottom and cool under the pines at the top. Most visitors come for the drives, the short waterfall and cave walks, and the cool summer air above the desert.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1902.
Size and age
4,450 km² (1,718 sq mi)1,718 sq mi (4,450 km²) · national park since 1902
Roughly 1.1 million acres across three districts; figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Free access to a cool mountain forest within an hour of desert towns.
- Sitting Bull Falls: a spring-fed waterfall in a canyon, with a picnic area and short paths.
- High trails around Ruidoso and Cloudcroft that stay walkable when the low desert is too hot.
- A base for Carlsbad Caverns, which is a separate national park nearby.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHigh roads icy; some closed
- FebCold, snow at altitude
- MarWindy; mixed snow and sun
- AprMild days; wind and late snow possible
- MayWarm days, dry trails, fire risk starts
- JunCool at altitude; hottest at the desert edge
- JulMonsoon storms; afternoon lightning
- AugWettest month; green, muddy trails
- SepClearing, mild, quiet weekdays
- OctDry and clear; best walking
- NovCool, quiet; early snow at altitude
- DecCold; some forest roads close
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer and elkMay–Oct · Dawn and dusk along forest roads; drive slowly. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black bearApr–Oct · Store food properly at camp; never leave coolers out. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Hummingbirds and other migrantsJul–Sep · Monsoon green-up brings birds to the high districts. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| RattlesnakesApr–Oct · Lower Guadalupe district; watch where you step and put hands. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Ruidoso
The Smokey Bear district surrounds the town; trailheads are a short drive from the centre.
10–30 min
Open the page →
From Cloudcroft
The Sacramento district is on the village's edge; the road up from Alamogordo climbs through it.
10–20 min
Open the page →
From Carlsbad
Drive US 285 north, then NM 137 west to Sitting Bull Falls.
1.5 h
From Alamogordo
US 82 climbs to Cloudcroft through the Sacramento district.
45 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento district (Cloudcroft) | High country above 2,400 m: spruce, fir, aspen and the road up from Alamogordo. | Open; some roads close with snow. |
| Smokey Bear district (Ruidoso, Capitan) | The most-used district: trails, campgrounds and the Sierra Blanca massif. | Open; day-use fees at some sites. |
| Guadalupe district (Carlsbad) | Lower, drier country around Sitting Bull Falls and the canyon roads. | Open; fee at Sitting Bull Falls. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the three districts, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| General entry to the forest | Free | vehicle | No gate fee for the forest itself. |
| Sitting Bull Falls day use | US$5 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; paid at the site, hours about 9:00–17:00 (check). |
| Developed campground (Forest Service) | US$10–25 | night | 2026 estimate; varies by site and season. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | 2026 estimate; covers federal sites, not this forest's day-use fee. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Forest entry no permit
Sitting Bull Falls day use permit or guide
Camping outside developed sites no permit
Winter road closures no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5
- US$10–25
- US$80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on US Forest Service — Lincoln National Forest before you go.
Park rules
- Fire restrictions
- Stage restrictions are common in spring and early summer; check before lighting any fire or stove.check
- Camping
- Developed campgrounds charge a nightly fee; dispersed camping is generally allowed away from water and trails — confirm with the district.
- Water
- Stream and spring water is not treated for drinking; carry your own or filter it.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed animals; keep food in a vehicle or bear-resistant container.
- Litter and fires
- Pack out all rubbish; use existing fire rings only where fires are allowed.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ruidoso
Motels, cabins and rental houses; the main base for the Smokey Bear district.
Near the park
Cloudcroft
Small mountain lodges and cabins on the edge of the Sacramento district.
Near the park
Carlsbad
Chain hotels and motels; base for Sitting Bull Falls and Carlsbad Caverns.
In the park
Forest campgrounds
Developed sites in the Smokey Bear and Sacramento districts; some closed in winter.
Safety
Heat and altitude on the same day medium
Afternoon thunderstorms in monsoon season medium
Rough, faint trails medium
Winter ice on high roads medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Sitting Bull Falls has a paved path and picnic area near the parking.
- Many forest trailheads are dirt or gravel with no graded surface; check the district before relying on access.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish out; bins are limited at trailheads.
- Use existing campsites and fire rings rather than clearing new ground.
- Respect fire bans: most forest fires in the region start from vehicles, cigarettes or unattended fires.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lincoln National Forest?
Nothing for the forest itself — there is no entrance gate or general fee. You pay only at developed sites: Sitting Bull Falls charges about $5 per vehicle (2026 estimate), and developed campgrounds charge roughly $10–25 per night.
What are the best hikes in Lincoln National Forest?
The short paths at Sitting Bull Falls are the easiest and most popular. For longer walks, the high trails around Ruidoso and Cloudcroft in the Smokey Bear and Sacramento districts are the main options; expect steep sections and thin air above 3,000 m. Trails are not all well maintained, so take a map.
When is the best time to visit Lincoln National Forest?
May, June, September and October are the most reliable: dry trails, mild days and fewer storms. July and August bring monsoon thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon. Winter closes some high roads and trails.
Do I need a pass or permit?
No permit is needed to drive into the forest or walk most trails. You pay at developed day-use sites and campgrounds. A federal annual pass covers national parks and some federal sites but does not replace the Sitting Bull Falls day-use fee.
Is Lincoln National Forest the same as Carlsbad Caverns?
No. Carlsbad Caverns is a separate national park south of the forest's Guadalupe district. Many visitors combine the two in one trip, since both are reached from Carlsbad.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go