Lincoln National Forest - Ruidoso, New Mexico - Natural Home of Smokey the Bear

Covering more than a million acres within four counties in southeastern New Mexico, the Lincoln National Forest is perhaps best known as the birthplace of world-famous Smokey Bear. The original bear for which the living symbol of forest fire prevention was named is buried in Capitan, New Mexico, 15 miles north of Ruidoso.

The Lincoln National Forest is divided into three ranger districts: Smokey Bear, Sacramento, and Guadalupe. It also contains three major mountain ranges - Sacramento, Guadalupe, and Capitan - which vary in elevation from 4,000 to 11,500 feet. Represented here are five different natural habitats from Chihuahuan desert with its rare cacti to sub-alpine forest where Englemann spruce grows.

Temperatures also vary widely, from summer highs near 100 degrees in the lower regions to overnight lows of -15? in the higher elevations in winter. Winds are high in spring, drying the forest to a level of extreme fire danger. The fire season begins in March or April and runs through mid-July. Open fires may be prohibited during such times. July through September is the rainy season here, and snow starts falling in late October or early November.

Recreational activities in Lincoln National Forest include camping, fishing, hiking, cave exploration, and skiing in season. Bonita Lake, Ski Apache, and the Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, with its 150-foot waterfall, are especially popular sites for day trips. The Forest Supervisor's Office is located at 3463 Las Palomas Road, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310.