USDA Forest Service · New Mexico
Slide Group Area
USDA Forest Service · New Mexico, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 14 to September 25
- Cost
- Group Standard Non-Electric: 1 to 40 people $123/night 41 to 90 people $154/night
- Max RV length
- 35 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 9,167 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T good · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- SUNSPOT LOOP (NFSR 00538 A) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Lincoln National Forest
- Nearest town
- CLOUDCROFT
- Address
- PO BOX 836, CLOUDCROFT, NM, 88317
- Phone
- 575-682-7570
- Activities
- Camping
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Just two miles from the village of Cloudcroft is this idyllic campground accommodating groups up to 90 visitors. Take advantage of the views of the Tularosa Basin or bask in the sun on the wildflower-dusted mountain meadow. A network of trails surround the campground, where you can look for deer, elk, and many types of birds. The region is part of the 1.1 million acres of Lincoln National Forest, where the original Smokey Bear was rescued as a cub from a forest fire.
There's no shortage of beauty in the area, with expansive blue skies, clear nights for stargazing, and hikes to several peaks and overlooks. Attractions in the vicinity include White Sands National Monument, the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, and the Sunspot Museum - home to the national solar observatory.
Recreation
Slide Group Area backs into the Rim Trail, offering epic views, rocky hills, and switchbacks. Head north on the trail for mountain biking, hiking, and horse-back riding. Head south for the part of the trail that allows motorcycles. An open meadow, perfect for sports like volleyball, corn hole, or football, is connected to the campsite.
Facilities
The picturesque overlook and convenient road access are unique, convenient features of this group site. Parking can accommodate approximately 12 trailers or 50 automobiles.
Natural Features
The campground is located on the rim of the Sacramento Mountains with a view of the Tularosa Basin. Mixed evergreen and aspens surround the 9,000 ft. elevation site.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (575) 682-1518.
Nearby Attractions
Drive along the Sunspot Scenic Byway to catch phenomenal views of the Tularosa Basin, White Sands National Monument, and colorful desert sunsets. Cloudcroft, a quaint mountain village nearby, is also worth a visit.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 23° | 9° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 45° | 24° | 1° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 50° | 29° | 14° | 69° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 59° | 37° | 24° | 71° | 7 of 11 |
| May | 66° | 45° | 31° | 77° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 76° | 53° | 37° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 75° | 53° | 48° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 72° | 53° | 44° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 69° | 49° | 40° | 77° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 60° | 40° | 28° | 70° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 30° | 13° | 61° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 45° | 24° | 16° | 56° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Oliver Lee Memorial State Park · New Mexico State Parks · 6 mi · 57 sites
- Karr Canyon Upper · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- Karr Canyon Lower · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- Black Bear Group Area · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 1 sites
- Slide Group Area · USDA Forest Service · 11 mi
All public campgrounds in New Mexico · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.