Black Bear Group Area
Federal campground in Lincoln National Forest
Location: CLOUDCROFT, NM, NM
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (6 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/black-bear-group-area to be notified when sites open up.
Black Bear Group Area sits atop the scenic Sacramento Mountains in Lincoln National Forest, surrounded by pine trees and aspen groves with access to hiking and biking trails. The location offers opportunities to spot wildlife including elk, deer, birds, and black bears.
Wildlife alert: Gray-footed Chipmunk, Whitetail-Mule Deer Hybrid, Spotted Bat, Gray Fox, Common Raccoon, Hairy Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, Cassin's Finch, and Grace's Warbler documented in the area.
Insider tips for Black Bear Group Area: Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand Only 1 site available in this group area Bring binoculars and camera for wildlife viewing opportunities
Skip Black Bear Group Area if: You need RV hookups - no hookups available, suitable only for self-contained RVs. You plan to camp outside Memorial Day through Labor Day - campground is seasonal. You're visiting outside peak season.
Best time to visit Black Bear Group Area: Memorial Day through Labor Day — Official seasonal operations period for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Sleepy Grass (Cloudcroft, NM), Upper Fir Group Area (CLOUDCROFT, NM), Pines Campground (CLOUDCROFT, NM), Apache (Nm) (Cloudcroft, NM).
Cell Phone Coverage at Black Bear Group Area
Cell signal at Black Bear Group Area (CLOUDCROFT, NM): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with high demand
Only 1 site available in this group area
Bring binoculars and camera for wildlife viewing opportunities
Official seasonal operations period for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
In southeast New Mexico, approximately 20 miles east of Alamagordo. From Alamagordo take US 82 east. Go 16 miles. Just before Cloudcroft, turn right (south) on NM 130. Go 1.4 miles. Turn left (east) on Forest Road 24B. Go .5 miles. Black Bear Group area is on right (south) side of road across from Aspen Group Area.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Lincoln National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Lincoln National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Black Bear Group Area cost per night?+
What season is Black Bear Group Area open?+
Does Black Bear Group Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Black Bear Group Area?+
How do I make reservations at Black Bear Group Area?+
What is the cell service like at Black Bear Group Area?+
What season is Black Bear Group Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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