South Fork Campground
South Fork is one of the most popular camping sites on the Smokey Bear Ranger District. It has 53 sites with a stay limit of 14 days. Trail access to the White Mountain Wilderness leaves from the campground via the South Fork Trail (T19). The early portion of this trail is moderately easy with the higher portions being difficult.
More like this: first-come in New Mexico · tent only in New Mexico
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | $20 per night. $5 per night for each additional vehicle. |
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. |
| Forest | Lincoln National Forest |
| Booking | No reservations. |
| Fees | $20 per night. $5 per night for each additional vehicle. |
| Rules | Stay limit 14 days - RVs limited to 35' length |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 33.4491° N, 105.7532° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | RV Dump Station ↗ | 18.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 7.5 miCedar Creek Picnic Shelter ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miSouthfork ↗5.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miRodamaker Canyon2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.9 miBluefront ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miPeacock1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.6 miMiner'S Road2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.7 miMills Canyon ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
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 White Mountain Wilderness.
- inWhite Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 46,963 acres
- 10.1 miFort Stanton–Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area ↗National Conservation Area · Bureau of Land Management · 27,872 acres
- 13.6 miLincoln 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at South Fork Campground?
No. South Fork Campground is first-come, first-served. No reservations. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at South Fork Campground?
$20 per night. $5 per night for each additional vehicle.
Source: Forest Service
Is South Fork Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does South Fork Campground have?
53 sites.
Source: Forest Service
Can I bring an RV to South Fork Campground?
South Fork Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if South Fork Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Skyline Campground (2.3 mi, first-come), Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground (7.2 mi), and Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias) (7.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby