Lincoln National Forest

Lincoln National Forest spans across the Sacramento Mountains as a protected forest with a wide range of elevations and habitat types across its grounds. The land shifts from grasslands and desert terrain at lower levels to dense coniferous forests at higher elevations.

This forest received protection in 1902 when President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a federal reserve through presidential action. This action made it one of the nation's early protected forests under federal management.

Indigenous peoples lived across this land for thousands of years and left behind remnants of their settlements that you can still find today. When you hike through the forest, you may notice these traces of past communities woven into the landscape.

The forest offers numerous trails and camping areas spread throughout for those wanting to spend time outdoors and explore on foot. Visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions depending on the season and elevation where they plan to go.

A young bear was rescued from a major fire in this forest in 1950, an event that led to a long-running national conservation campaign. The rescued animal became an iconic figure used across the country to teach people about fire prevention.

Location: New Mexico

Inception: July 26, 1902

Operator: United States Forest Service

Website: http://fs.usda.gov/lincoln

GPS coordinates: 32.83333,-105.68333

Latest update: December 20, 2025 15:36