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New Mexico
56

New Mexico State Parks

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USA Parks
New Mexico
Southeast Region
Lincoln National Forest
Lincoln National Forest Dog Canyon © Ted Gorczyca
Taken in the Lincoln National Forest Rt 137
Lincoln National Forest Turkey Vultures © Ted Gorczyca
Taken in the Lincoln National Forest Rt 137
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LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST
LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST
Federal Building
Alamogordo, New Mexico   88310-6992
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Located in South Central New Mexico, the Lincoln National Forest is known as the birthplace of the world-famous Smokey Bear, the living symbol of the campaign to prevent forest fires. The original bear is buried in Capitan, New Mexico.

The Lincoln consists of three ranger districts; Sacramento, Smokey Bear and Guadalupe. There are three major mountain ranges; Sacramento, Guadalupe and Capitan that cover 1,103,441 acres in parts of four counties in southeastern New Mexico. Elevations of 4,000 to 11,500 feet pass through five different life zones from Chihuahuan desert to subalpine forest. Vegetation ranges from rare cacti in the lower elevations to Englemann spruce in the higher.

Temperatures also vary with elevation. At higher elevations, 7,000 feet and up, summer nights are chilly 40o and days are warm 78o, while winter temperatures can drop to a -15o at night and rise to 40o-50o during the day. At lower elevations, 6000-7000 feet, winter temperatures rarely fall below 0 and usually run from teens to 50s. Summer temperatures range from 50o to 85o. At the lowest elevations, 4,000 to 6,000 feet, temperatures are generally 10 degrees higher throughout the year.

Spring is the windy season. High winds dry the forest to the point of extreme fire danger. Fire season usually starts in March or April and continues through mid-July. If the fire danger becomes too high, open fires may be prohibited, requiring the use of contained fuel stoves for cooking. The rainy season begins in July and continues through September. The first snows fall in late October or early November.

Due to the rapidly changing environment, forest users are constantly faced with safety factors which they should be familiar with and avoid trouble through awareness and preparedness.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Picnickingyes
Camping
The Lincoln provides dispersed camping in all three Ranger Districts and developed areas on the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Ranger Districts. During the months of March through July, fire restrictions may be in affect and can be found by calling the park administration office.


Location
Lincoln National Forest is


Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
March 29 It gives your soul rest by Lisa
park review stars; one to five We have enjoyed Lincoln National Forrest for the last 50 years. From the time I was a little girl until now. It is beautiful and peaceful. I love the Pine Lodge side. It makes my soul happy and now I get to live there
January 4 Just Beautiful by Joel
park review stars; one to five We are from South Texas and I took my daughter to see snow for the first time. My friend from Alamagordo took us to Cloudcroft and through the roads of Lincoln National Forest. It was beautiful!!
July 8 by M J Vasquez
park review stars; one to five Totally awesome a great getaway from the daily grind very peaceful and quite
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Nearby Hotels
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Directions
From Alamagordo, US highway 82 is the primary access route in the south part of the forest. The north end of the forest is accessed via US highway 70 north.

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New Mexico
56

New Mexico State Parks

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