South Fork

About

South Fork Campground is one of the most popular camping destinations on the Smokey Bear Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest, located west of Ruidoso in the Sacramento Mountains of south-central New Mexico. The campground features 53 sites spread through a forested setting at approximately 7,900 feet elevation. The primary draw for many visitors is access to the White Mountain Wilderness via the South Fork Trail (T19). The trail begins as a moderately easy path through the canyon before becoming more challenging as it climbs into higher terrain. This makes the campground an excellent base camp for day hikers and backpackers exploring the wilderness. Facilities include flush toilets and picnic tables, but campers must bring their own drinking water as potable water is not available. RVs are limited to 35 feet in length. When open, the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with some sites available through Recreation.gov. The standard camping fee is $20 per night with an additional $5 charge for extra vehicles.

Directions

From Ruidoso, follow NM 48 north for 9 miles. Turn west (left) onto NM 37 and continue for 1.5 miles. Turn southwest (left) onto Forest Road 107 (County Road C-009) and drive 5 miles past Bonito Lake, then turn left and continue straight for approximately 1 mile to the campground.