Lower Fir Group Area
Lower Fir Group Area is a high-energy and highly popular group campground in the Sacramento Mountain area. The site is set away from public roads, so that outside noise is non-existent, leaving only the sweet sounds of rustling aspen leaves. The campground sits within the Lincoln National Forest, which spans 1.1 million acres of undisturbed landscape. Spend your days exploring the mountain trails, or head west for a day trip to White Sands National Monument, the world's largest dune field of pure, white gypsum sand. Bring your camera and binoculars for the chance to observe wild elk, deer, birds, and even an occasional black bear.
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 | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 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 |
This is one of the only group sites with water access. Lower Fir comfortably fits groups as large as 70, and it's connected to Upper Fir Group, and even larger facility accommodating up to 120 visitors.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 15 to Sept 30 |
| Forest | Lincoln National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov or 877-444-6777 Check In anytime Check Out @ 2pm |
| Fees | 1-30 people: $123 per night 31-70 people: $154 per night |
| Rules | RV's limited to 30' |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Alamogordo take US 82 east, go 17 miles, just past Cloudcroft. Turn left (northwest) onto NM 244. Go approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto Forest Road 422. Go approximately 1/4 mile. Campground is on the left.
| Nearest town | Cloudcroft, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 32.9669° N, 105.7189° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD1 Programmatic Piles Rx
24 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 ↗ | 0.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The campground is a mile from the village of Cloudcroft, a quaint mountain town with New Mexico's only standing railroad trestle. Trails for ATVs are near the area, too.
- 0.6 miSleepy Grass Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miSaddle Snow Trail0.4 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miSaddle Nature0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miApache Nature0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miSilver Cross-Country Ski1.2 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miFir1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miSilver Snow Trail0.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
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 · 1.7 mi
- Bridge A 249-Cloudcroft, New MexicoStructure · Cloudcroft · 1.8 mi
- La Luz Pottery FactoryBuilding · La Luz · 10.7 mi
Natural features
Lower Fir Group sits at a high elevation of 9,000 ft. providing visitors with dramatic views of the Tularosa Basin and lush mountain meadows surrounded by pine, fir, aspen and oak trees.
Recreation
An open meadow, ideal for activities like volleyball or horseshoes, is adjacent to the campground. The Rim Trail is a short hike or drive away, offering epic views, rocky inclines, and switchbacks for adventurous mountain bikers, hikers, and horse-back riders. A few miles south, the same trail opens up to motorcyclists as well.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Lower Fir Group Area?
Sites at Lower Fir Group Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. www.recreation.gov or 877-444-6777 Check In anytime Check Out @ 2pm Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lower Fir 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 Lower Fir Group Area?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lower Fir Group Area open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to Sept 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lower Fir Group Area have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lower Fir 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 Lower Fir Group Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lower Fir Group Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lower Fir 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. RV's limited to 30'
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Lower Fir Group Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Lower Fir Group Area?
An open meadow, ideal for activities like volleyball or horseshoes, is adjacent to the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Lower Fir Group Area?
Cloudcroft, New Mexico. The campground is a mile from the village of Cloudcroft, a quaint mountain town with New Mexico's only standing railroad trestle.
Source: Getting there
What if Lower Fir Group Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Saddle (0.5 mi), Apache (0.6 mi), and Silver (0.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby