Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias)
Lincoln National Forest — hiking
Location: RUIDOSO, NM, NM
Price: From $40 per night
Price range: $40–$125 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (18 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Located on the outskirts of Ruidoso, Cedar Creek provides a wonderful space for groups visiting for the day or staying overnight. With a picnic shelter and three group campsites, the recreation area is ideal for an outing in Lincoln National Forest. A popular pastime is is hiking and mountain biking along the scenic multi-use trails adjacent to the Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cedar-creek-sam-tobias to be notified when sites open up.
Cedar Creek offers a wonderful space for groups and overnight visitors on the outskirts of Ruidoso with access to scenic multi-use trails in Lincoln National Forest. Popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing in a picnic shelter setting.
Wildlife alert: Mule Deer, Elk (Wapiti), Gray Fox, and various bird species including Northern Flicker and Red-winged Blackbird frequent the area.
Insider tips for Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias): Book early - this is a popular federal campground Bring a self-contained RV or plan tent camping only, as there are no hookups available Only 4 total sites available, so advance reservations are essential
Skip Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias) if: You need RV hookups - no hookups at most sites. You plan to visit outside Memorial Day through Labor Day - campground is seasonal. You require more than basic amenities - only fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water available.
Best time to visit Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias): Memorial Day - Labor Day — Official operating season for Cedar Creek campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Rob Jagger’S Campground (Roswell, NM), Aspen Group Area (Lincoln National Forest, Nm) (CLOUDCROFT, NM), Valley Of Fires Recreation Area (Roswell, NM), Silver (Nm) (Cloudcroft, NM).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias)
Cell signal at Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias) (RUIDOSO, NM): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
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.
Located on the outskirts of Ruidoso, Cedar Creek provides a wonderful space for groups visiting for the day or staying overnight. With a picnic shelter and three group campsites, the recreation area is ideal for an outing in Lincoln National Forest. A popular pastime is is hiking and mountain biking along the scenic multi-use trails adjacent to the Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground.
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 - this is a popular federal campground
Bring a self-contained RV or plan tent camping only, as there are no hookups available
Only 4 total sites available, so advance reservations are essential
Official operating season for Cedar Creek 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: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Ruidoso on Mechem Drive, take Cedar Creek Road west .5 miles. Cedar Creek is the first recreational area located on the right (north).
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 Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias) cost per night?+
What season is Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias) open?+
Does Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias)?+
How do I make reservations at Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias)?+
What is the cell service like at Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias)?+
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●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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