Monjeau Campground, Ruidoso, NM

Smokey Bear Ranger District

Lincoln National Forest

Free Camping Near Ruidoso, NM

This is a free, developed campground operated by Lincoln National Forest. It's effectively two camping areas. both small. The more popular is the gravel parking lot where there are two tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, and the other is a dirt area, used as an overflow campground, about 0.3 mile before the parking lot.

Authority

Smokey Bear Ranger District logo

Smokey Bear Ranger District

Lincoln National Forest

District Office

Tel: (575) 257-4095

Official campground webpage

Particulars

GPS: 33.4314, -105.7309

Elevation: 9,554 feet

Reservations: First come, first served

Camping Fee: None

Permit: None

Max stay: 14 days in a 45 day period

Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilet

Submitted by

Admin Staff

Admin Staff

Boondocker's Bible

Free Camping at Monjeau Campground

The Forest Service actually states on its website that “camping trailers” are suitable for Monjeau Campground, though judging by how small it is, and how steep the gravel road is up here, you wouldn’t want to tow anything larger than a tent trailer or a teardrop.

The overflow campground about 0.3 mile down has more space, but based on the way it’s carved out between two peaks, it’s likely that it gets muddy during wet weather.

The elevation at Monjeau Campground is 9,200 feet. If you have cardiac issues, this may not be a campground for you.

There is also another campground located about 0.8 mile down from the main campground that was recently closed off by forest officials, but may still be usable by foot, or may be reopened by the time you read this.

Also, there is Skyline Campground, a tent-only campground, located about 1.3 miles from the main Monjeau Campground.

Associated Documents

Lincoln National Forest Order 03-08-00-23-002, Occupancy rules, camping limits, alcohol possession, public nudity, and more, (eff: December 1, 2023, term: November 30, 2025)
Motor Vehicle Use Map, Smokey Bear Ranger District, Illustrates dispersed camping restrictions & OHV restrictions, (eff: January 1, 2018)

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