Recreation area

Capitan Wilderness

Lincoln National Forest · New Mexico — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

The Capitan Wilderness Area lies about 5 miles NE of Capitan, NM and is most famous as the place where the real Smokey Bear was found in 1950.

Explore more New Mexico camping

Capitan Wilderness doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby New Mexico campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.