CEDAR CREEK (Sam Tobias)
Campground · New Mexico · 4 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Lincoln National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 4
- Bookable sites
- 35 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 100
- People per site
- 6,991 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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. There are opporunities to see a number of different wildlife, including Mule deer and Elk in the area.Recreation
Hiking and biking are among the most popular activities here, with options like the T90 fitness Trail which extends 1.3 miles and includes exercise stations. Bilking trails T120 A-D and T121 A& B are also nearby. Also we have an expert-only downhill mountain bike trail, located near the water tower to the east of the Campgrounds. The trail ends at the picnic area. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times while hiking. Dogs are not allowed on the Fitness trail.Facilities
The group picnic shelter offers drinking water and accessible vault toilets. Non-sheltered picnic tables are open to the general public.The group campgrounds range from 60 to 100 person capacities and the group picnic shelter fits up to 40 people. Each site comes with accessible picnic shelters, campfire rings, drinking water vault toilets and grills.
Picnic Pavilion is for day use only. If you would like to camp overnight please book one of the group campgrounds.
Natural Features
Cedar Creek is perched along its namesake, Cedar Creek at a 7,000 foot elevation. Lincoln National Forest, located in south-central New Mexico, is most notable as the birthplace of the original Smokey Bear.Nearby Attractions
Ruidoso is a delightful town with quaint shops, restaurants and art galleries. If picnickers wish to camp overnight, they can head to Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground.The facts
- 4 bookable sites
- 1 site for day use only
- Vehicles up to 35 ft
- Up to 100 people per site
- Loops: CEDAR, GRP1, GRP2, GRP3
Site types
- 3 Group Standard Electric
- 1 Group Shelter Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, pets allowed.
4 campsites at CEDAR CREEK (Sam Tobias)
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P01 | CEDAR | Group Shelter Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 40 | |
| 001 | GRP1 | Group Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 60 | |
| 002 | GRP2 | Group Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 100 | |
| 003 | GRP3 | Group Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | 35 ft | 80 |
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).
33.36139, -105.68472 · 33°21'41.0"N 105°41'5.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 82°F in Jun, down to 48°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 49 | 51 | 58 | 65 | 73 | 82 | 81 | 79 | 75 | 67 | 56 | 48 |
| Low °F | 21 | 23 | 27 | 33 | 40 | 47 | 51 | 50 | 44 | 35 | 26 | 22 |
| Precip in | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about CEDAR CREEK (Sam Tobias)
- Can you reserve a site at CEDAR CREEK (Sam Tobias)?
- Yes, CEDAR CREEK (Sam Tobias) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does CEDAR CREEK (Sam Tobias) have?
- 4 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at CEDAR CREEK (Sam Tobias)?
- 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Camping near CEDAR CREEK (Sam Tobias)
- Rob Jagger's Campground 14.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground less than 0.1 mi · Campground
- Cedar Creek Picnic Shelter 0.2 mi · Facility
- Ruidoso Lookout 2.4 mi · Facility
- Oak Grove Campground 4.3 mi · Campground
- Skyline Campground 4.9 mi · Campground
- Windy Point Vista 5.2 mi · Facility
- Monjeau Lookout 5.5 mi · Facility
- The Hubbard Museum of the American West 7 mi · Facility
- South Fork Campground 7.2 mi · Campground
- Three Rivers Campground 11.9 mi · Campground
- Fort Stanton Cave Campground 14.9 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 575-257-4095
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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