SLIDE GROUP AREA

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens May 16, 2026. Reservations required through Recreation.gov.

About

Slide Group Area sits on the rim of the Sacramento Mountains at 9,000 feet elevation, just two miles from the charming village of Cloudcroft in Lincoln National Forest. This group-only campground accommodates up to 90 visitors and features a scenic overlook of the Tularosa Basin, mixed evergreen and aspen forest, and a wildflower-covered mountain meadow perfect for group activities like volleyball or football. The site includes a pavilion with tables and convenient parking for approximately 12 trailers or 50 automobiles, with RVs limited to 35 feet. The campground backs directly into the Rim Trail (T105), offering immediate access to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding opportunities with epic views, rocky terrain, and switchbacks. Wildlife enthusiasts can look for deer, elk, and numerous bird species throughout the area. This region is part of the 1.1 million-acre Lincoln National Forest, historically significant as the location where the original Smokey Bear was rescued as a cub from a forest fire. Nearby attractions include the Sunspot Scenic Byway, White Sands National Park, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, and the Sunspot Museum with its national solar observatory.

Directions

From Cloudcroft, turn south from US 82 onto NM 130. Continue on NM 130 for approximately 2 miles, then turn right onto NM 6563 (Sunspot Scenic Byway). Less than 1,000 feet onto NM 6563, the turn-off for Slide Group Campground is on the right.

Nearby Campgrounds