Bluewater Lookout Tower, New Mexico

Sacramento Ranger District

Lincoln National Forest

Free Camping in Lincoln National Forest

Bluewater Lookout Tower is an old structure built in 1917 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It's approached by Forest Road 85. The motor vehicle use map of this area shows that dispersed camping is allowed all along this road, up until the last 1,000 feet of roadway.

Authority

Sacramento Ranger District logo

Sacramento Ranger District

Lincoln National Forest

District Office

Tel: (575) 682-2551

Official campground webpage

Particulars

GPS: 32.7342, -105.4721

Elevation: 7,201 feet

Reservations: First come, first served

Camping Fee: None

Permit: None

Max stay: 14 days in a 45 day period

Amenities: None

Submitted by

Admin Staff

Admin Staff

Boondocker's Bible

Camping at Bluewater Lookout Tower

Access to the tower itself is by foot only. The public cannot enter the tower, except by appointment.

There are about five previously-used campsites along Forest Road 85. The best site is Site #3 on the map above. This is a large area on the top of a hill big enough for 3 or 4 RVs. The elevation at Site #3 is 7,269 feet, making it for a decent temperature during the height of Summer.

The road up is hard packed dirt and gravel, suitable for any vehicle. If you’re pulling a heavy trailer, you want to have a 4WD to get up there. The grade is not really that steep, maybe 6 to 8% at worst. You just want to make sure you have good trailer brakes coming down hill if you have a heavy trailer pushing down on you.

Other Campsites Within 20 Miles Radius

Associated Documents

Lincoln National Forest Order 03-08-00-23-002, Occupancy rules, camping limits, alcohol possession, public nudity, and more, (eff: December 1, 2023, term: November 30, 2025)
Motor Vehicle Use Map, Sacramento Ranger District, Illustrates dispersed camping restrictions & OHV restrictions, (eff: January 1, 2018)

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