Aspen Group Area
At an elevation of almost 9,000 ft. campers at the Aspen Group Area can expect cool, crisp, mountain breezes coming off the steep Sacramento Mountains - perfect for an escape from the scorching desert valley below. The campground is surrounded by mixed pine, fir, and plenty of white-trunked aspen trees, with a high likelihood of blue skies above. The Sacramento Mountains overlook Dog Canyon and the Tularosa Basin. Take advantage of the campground's high elevation and revel in the breathtaking beauty of the region's unspoiled vistas stretching out over the Tularosa Basin. Wildlife in the area includes elk, deer, bears. With some luck, you could even spot a roadrunner.
More like this: reservable in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico · group sites in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 70 / 20 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Group Standard Area Non-Electric: 1 to 30 people $123/night 31 to 70 people $154/night |
Water can be obtained at Sleepy Grass Campground during peak season, which lasts from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The site is available as a group site only, so groups of anywhere from four to 70 can reserve the whole space.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
In southeast New Mexico, approximately 20 miles east of Alamagordo. From Alamagordo take US 82 east and go 16 miles. Just before Cloudcraft turn right (South) on NM 130. Go 1.4 miles. Turn left (east) on Forest Road 24B, go 0.5 miles. Aspen Group Area is on the left across from Black Bear Group Area.
| Nearest town | Cloudcroft, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 33.0344° N, 105.8000° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD1 Programmatic Piles Rx
20 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 5.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Aspen Beach provincial park, campground review
Worth a stop
The Rim Trail, a breathtaking 32-mile path for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding, can be reached a quarter mile from the campground. One stretch of the trail is open to motorcyclists, too. The Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, at the foot of the mountains, is worth a visit to see a restored 19th century ranch house and explore the flowering oasis of Dog Canyon.
- 7.1 miSleepy Grass Picnic Area ↗Day use
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Lincoln National Forest.
- inLincoln National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,261,954 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Mexican Canyon TrestleStructure · Cloudcroft · 5.8 mi
- Bridge A 249-Cloudcroft, New MexicoStructure · Cloudcroft · 6 mi
- La Luz Pottery FactoryBuilding · La Luz · 7.1 mi
Natural features
Aspen is set in the rolling Sacramento Mountains of south-central New Mexico, near Alamo Peak and Stark Peak. It's part of Lincoln National Forest, most notable as the birthplace of the original Smokey Bear.
Recreation
The campground is surrounded by a series of hiking trails. To the west you'll find trails with outstanding overlooks from Alamo Peak and Stark Peak. The most popular hike is the Osha Trail, which is a 2.5-mile loop.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Aspen Group Area?
Sites at Aspen Group Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Aspen Group Area?
Group Standard Area Non-Electric: 1 to 30 people $123/night 31 to 70 people $154/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Aspen Group Area?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Aspen Group Area have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Aspen Group Area?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Aspen Group Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Aspen Group Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Aspen Group Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Aspen Group Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Aspen Group Area?
The campground is surrounded by a series of hiking trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Aspen Group Area?
Cloudcroft, New Mexico. The Rim Trail, a breathtaking 32-mile path for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding, can be reached a quarter mile from the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Aspen Group Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pines Campground (5.9 mi), Silver (5.9 mi), and Saddle (6.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby