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Black Bear Group Area Campground

Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico

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As of October 2026, Black Bear Group Area Campground is a campground in Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico with 1 campsite. Black Bear Group Area Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

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Black Bear Group Area Campground is located at 32.9208° N, 105.7417° W.

people allowed on each site: 70

Black Bear Group Area Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Taxes apply

Published by Recreation.gov for Black Bear Group Area Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Black Bear Group Area Campground

Group 1

What an RV fits

35 ft1 site

Amenities

potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: hiking, wildlife, photography, stargazing, offroad, horse riding.

All sites at Black Bear Group Area Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the BLAC loop.

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV
001	Group	70	35 ft

About Black Bear Group Area Campground

Overview

Black Bear is perched atop the scenic Sacramento Mountains of south-central New Mexico, near Alamogordo and Cloudcroft. The site is surrounded by the aromatic pine trees and aspen groves of Lincoln National Forest. The group area is conveniently connected to a network of hiking and biking trails. Bring your camera and binoculars for the chance to spot elk, deers, birds, and even black bear.

The black bears are arguably the most celebrated wildlife in the area due to the fact that the original Smokey Bear was found here. While battling a fire in 1950, firefighters rescued a burned bear cub clinging to a scorched tree in Lincoln National Forest. The bear was adopted by the US Forest Service and became the real-life mascot for forest fire prevention.

Recreation

Evening skies are often clear of clouds - bring a telescope for stargazing. The campground is surrounded by a series of hiking trails. A popular hike is the Osha Trail, which is a 2.5-mile loop.

Facilities

Whether for a family reunion or a large social event, Black Bear is a convenient location for groups up to 70. No water is provided at this site, but it is available at Sleepy Grass Campground from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Natural Features

Set 9,000 feet above sea level in the Sacramento Mountains, Black Bear is in a pine forest area overlooking the desert valley of the Tularosa Basin. The basin stretches 6,500 square miles between the Sacramentos and the San Andres Mountains.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (575) 682-1518.

Nearby Attractions

The campground is a mile from Cloudcroft, a quaint tourist village with New Mexico's only standing railroad trestle. It's also a quarter mile from the Rim Trail, which is popular for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Other nearby trails are open to ATV enthusiasts.

Rules and notices at Black Bear Group Area Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Black Bear Group Area Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Black Bear Group Area accommodates up to 70 people.

Call 575-682-1518 prior to arrival to get the lock combination.

There is no public phone.

There is no water at this site; water may be obtained at Sleepy Grass Campground until Labor Day.

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.

Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

Check in after 2pm, check out by noon.

For more information on the Lincoln National Forest, please visit Home | Lincoln National Forest | Forest Service

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Black Bear Group Area Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Black Bear Group Area Campground?

Black Bear Group Area Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 1 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Black Bear Group Area Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Black Bear Group Area Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Black Bear Group Area Campground have?

Black Bear Group Area Campground has 1 campsites.