Lincoln National Forest

 (575) 434-7200  |  www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln

The mighty Lincoln National Forest spans four counties, three ranger districts and three major mountain ranges, with elevations as high as 11,500 feet passing through five different life zones. Established by Presidential Proclamation in 1902 as the Lincoln Forest Preserve, the preserve was meant to balance conservation, resource management and recreation, with critical timber resources, popular recreation and winter sports areas and protected wilderness areas. With headquarters in Alamogordo and the Sacramento, Smokey Bear and Guadalupe ranger districts, the forest covers more than 1 million acres, including the Sacramento, Guadalupe and Capitan mountain ranges. Campgrounds and cabins are available and visitors can hike, bike, ride horses and more.

Open year-round.