New Mexico Camping-Lincoln National Forest

July 23, 2023
We escape the relentless heat in North Texas and head to the mountains of the Lincoln National forest near Cloudcroft. Lots of camp sites to choose from but nothing too terribly exciting, at least not that we had the time or the ability to find.

[@donaldinnewmexico]

I grew up in El Paso. Back in the '60s and '70s, we had some property about 5 miles east of Cloudcroft, where we would go to beat the heat. I lived there and in Cloudcroft for about three years. I love that area. The afternoon rains would drop the temperature from 15 to 20 degrees. I now live in the northern NM mountains near Santa Fe. It is beautiful here in the mountains of New Mexico.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Don, thanks for watching the video. I am about to head that way in about 3 days and spend some time camping in the Carson Natl. Forest in and around Taos. Been looking forward to it for a while. Do you happen to have and insights for a first timer in that area. Perhaps so good places to go, maybe next to a stream? I know they are few and far between up there, at least that is what I have heard.

[@TripleNine_FourTwenty39]

Epic my friends 🦾

[@curtcoltharp3719]

I too am from Dallas and been up there many times but more near Cloudcroft. I used to tent camp and I think I had more stuff than you did. The set up fun and pack up not so much. Now I’m RV. I usually do northern NM and up through CO but thinking this Summer to give that Cloudcroft area a spin. I guess that’s why your video populated. Thank you for taking time to make this. I enjoyed it.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

@curtcoltharp3719 thank you for the comment. Now that I have been up there I feel the more northern parts of NM would be better for me. Seems the closer you get to Colorado the better. :) As an RV'er you are looking for a different experience, especially now that I am getting more in to overlanding. I enjoy the exploring as much as I do the camping. I admit, I am really growing tired of the 2 hour setup and tear down when I see others doing it in 20 min. LOL

[@sewerdawgs]

Awesome video! Post more

[@radomarietravels]

The grasshopper sounded like he had water in his carburetor 😅. Cool video! Thanks for sharing!

[@sdnlawrence5640]

I've been going there for about 25 years. Kinda wish you hadn't posted this video.

[@raa8201]

Just had to comment. I have camped at that exact spot by the cow pond you stayed at the first night. There's 100's of nice boondocking spots in those hills. Of course, lot of cattle/dung there also. They're a nice change from hot/flat Texas. I usually take my motorcycle up there and putt around. I'm in Rockport. Your video has me itching to do it again. One things for sure....you guys sure do eat good! Better than me.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Was not a bad spot for the first night. Looking forward to exploring a little more of NM this year I hope. I am sure I eat more like you, it is only because my buddy likes to cook that I was eating as well. LOL

[@rumaldodominguez3000]

Great video Thanks

[@JustinAGreen]

Where off Aqua Chiquita was that spot. Taking the kids up this weekend and looks perfect. I am way more familiar with CO, but this is half the distance and more familiar with the area around Santa Fe

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Headed to Taos area myself with an overnight in Tucumcari, NM. Did not feel like driving 11 hours then setting up camp. That's a betting for one person. Enjoy!!!

[@minusmartin]

I just got back this last weekend from solo camping out there in my quicksand tacoma witha RTT. what a blast.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Where did you go exactly?

[@minusmartin]

@@HoustonBrownPhotography I went to bluff springs. pretty easy location, easily accessible by regular cars, and near water. it is in between two mountains with pines everywhere and a big clear sky with the stars showing

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Did you bring the kitchen sink , great camp sites but not for mr me still a tent camper , looks some great sites can’t wait to get back

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Yes I did. LOL

[@burkejones8277]

Did y’all see any turkeys on the trip? We are going there next spring, and some of the campsites you showed were ones I actually had marked on my app to check out. This video was unbelievably helpful to my trip planning. Thanks.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

We did see one Turkey walking across the road. But that was about it. A few Elk as well.

[@jbobst02]

Thanks for sharing your trip. A couple questions - It looks like you had some sort of water system (and sink) setup at your camp. Is this a homemade system or did you purchase it? Was there any cellular service at your campsite or in other areas of the forest there?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

The water system is the Joolca Nomad kit along with the Joolca Ensuite Shower tent. Cell service was spotty for pretty much the whole area we were at but as you got closer to Cloudcroft it was good. Thanks for watching. :)

[@billyfernandez4257]

Mayhill is nice ..did you look for Gold

[@matthewlee2686]

Can you camp anywhere out there? And how are the roads?

[@raualmandera7642]

Better to Avoid 😢😮