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Black Bear Group Area
FSU.S. Forest Service — CLOUDCROFT · New Mexico · Lincoln National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Lincoln National Forest |
| Location | CLOUDCROFT · New Mexico · Lincoln National Forest · 32.92083, -105.74167 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group standard area nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 35 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 1 sites · 30 ft: 1 sites · 35 ft: 1 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Group Standard Area Non-Electric: 1 to 30 people $123/night 31 to 70 people $154/night |
| Check-in / out | In 02:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 575-682-7570 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
Overview Black Bear is perched atop the scenic Sacramento Mountains of south-central New Mexico, near Alamogordo and Cloudcroft. The site is surrounded by the aromatic pine trees and aspen groves of Lincoln National Forest. The group area is conveniently connected to a network of hiking and biking trails. Bring your camera and binoculars for the chance to spot elk, deers, birds, and even black bear.
The black bears are arguably the most celebrated wildlife in the area due to the fact that the original Smokey Bear was found here. While battling a fire in 1950, firefighters rescued a burned bear cub clinging to a scorched tree in Lincoln National Forest. The bear was adopted by the US Forest Service and became the real-life mascot for forest fire prevention.
Recreation Evening skies are often clear of clouds - bring a telescope for stargazing. The campground is surrounded by a series of hiking trails. A popular hike is the Osha Trail, which is a 2.5-mile loop. Facilities Whether for a family reunion or a large social event, Black Bear is a convenient location for groups up to 70. No water is provided at this site, but it is available at Sleepy Grass Campground from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Natural Features Set 9,000 feet above sea level in the Sacramento Mountains, Black Bear is in a pine forest area overlooking the desert valley of the Tularosa Basin. The basin stretches 6,500 square miles between the Sacramentos and the San Andres Mountains. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (575) 682-1518. Nearby Attractions The campground is a mile from Cloudcroft, a quaint tourist village with New Mexico's only standing railroad trestle. It's also a quarter mile from the Rim Trail, which is popular for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Other nearby trails are open to ATV enthusiasts.
Directions, from the listing
In southeast New Mexico, approximately 20 miles east of Alamagordo. From Alamagordo take US 82 east. Go 16 miles. Just before Cloudcroft, turn right (south) on NM 130. Go 1.4 miles. Turn left (east) on Forest Road 24B. Go .5 miles. Black Bear Group area is on right (south) side of road across from Aspen Group Area.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · CLOUDCROFT New MexicoFSU.S. Forest ServiceUpper Fir Group Area
3 mi straight-line · CLOUDCROFT New MexicoFSU.S. Forest ServicePines Campground
3 mi straight-line · CLOUDCROFT New MexicoFSU.S. Forest ServiceLower Fir Group Area
3 mi straight-line · CLOUDCROFT New MexicoFSU.S. Forest ServiceAspen Group Area (Lincoln National Forest, NM)
9 mi straight-line · CLOUDCROFT New Mexico
Trip Card — Black Bear Group Area
CLOUDCROFT · New Mexico · Lincoln National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | CLOUDCROFT · New Mexico · Lincoln National Forest |
| Fees | Group Standard Area Non-Electric: 1 to 30 people $123/night 31 to 70 people $154/night |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 35 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231888 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.