We visited Lincoln National Forest on October 31, 2026, while exploring southern New Mexico and making our way toward Dog Canyon in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We were hoping for mountain views and a scenic drive, and the forest delivered on the driving part. The views were another matter.
The weather was cloudy, misty, and wet, with fog that sometimes swallowed the landscape entirely. It wasn't exactly ideal sightseeing weather, but we still had some good moments, including a wildlife sighting that made the trip worthwhile.
Our Visit
A Drive Through the Mountains
Lincoln National Forest covers a huge area of southern New Mexico, with mountain roads, forest roads, and plenty of places to explore. We spent a couple of hours driving through the area rather than tackling any hikes.
The paved roads made it easy to see quite a bit from the car, and there were plenty of back roads that looked interesting. Unfortunately, the fog kept us from seeing as much of the surrounding mountains as we would have liked. Every so often, the clouds cleared enough to give us a good look at the trees and mountains, but we didn't get the wide-open views we'd hoped for.
The wet conditions also affected our plans to explore some of the Forest Roads. Several were muddy, and with limited time and poor visibility, we decided not to venture too far down them. We didn't need to turn a sightseeing trip into a recovery operation.
Wildlife in the Fog
The wildlife turned out to be one of the best parts of our visit. We saw birds and cows, including some cows standing right on the foggy road. They seemed perfectly comfortable with the conditions. We were the ones trying to see where we were going.
The real highlight, though, was a bobcat. We watched it stalking a bird, which was much more interesting than simply spotting an animal crossing the road. It was a brief glimpse into what the local wildlife was up to, and it became my favorite part of the visit.
We also enjoyed the drive down toward Dog Canyon. Evan particularly liked the descent into the canyon, and the route through the forest was a worthwhile part of getting there.
Favorite Things
My favorite was seeing the bobcat stalking a bird. We didn't have to hike miles to find it, and watching its behavior made the sighting more memorable than a quick glimpse of an animal disappearing into the trees.
Evan's favorite was the drive down into Dog Canyon. He also liked the general variety of roads through the forest and the possibilities for exploring them.
We both appreciated that Lincoln National Forest offered more than just a route from one destination to another. There were paved scenic drives, rougher Forest Roads, and opportunities to explore on foot or by vehicle. We just didn't get to experience as much of that variety as we might have with better weather.
Things to Know Before Visiting
Don't count on seeing everything from the car. We enjoyed the scenic drives, but many areas are better explored on foot or by taking appropriate forest roads.
Check the weather before heading out. Our October visit was cold, wet, and foggy enough to obscure much of the scenery. Some of those views would have been much better on a clear day.
Be prepared for rural conditions. Evan recommends getting gas whenever you have the opportunity. Cell coverage can be nonexistent in some areas, so bring water and a spare tire, and plan your route ahead of time.
Know your vehicle and the road conditions. Forest Roads can be muddy or rocky. Check current road conditions and make sure your vehicle is appropriate for the route before heading down an unfamiliar road.
Allow time for exploring. You can enjoy a drive through the forest in a few hours, but the network of roads and trails offers plenty of possibilities for a longer visit.
We spent about two hours driving through the forest. That was enough to get a feel for the area, but it wasn't enough to explore the many roads and recreation areas available.
Our Ratings
We use a five-point scale: 1 = Poor, 2 = Below Average, 3 = Average, 4 = Good, and 5 = Excellent.
| Category | Judy | Evan | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenery and scenic drives | 4 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Wildlife | 4 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Off-roading and Forest Roads | 4 | 5 | 4.5 |
Judy's overall rating: One visit was enough.
Evan's overall rating: Good for a specific interest.
Our ratings reflect what we actually experienced, not everything the forest has to offer. The scenery and wildlife were worthwhile, but the weather limited our views, and we didn't spend enough time exploring the roads to get a full picture of the off-road opportunities.
I would like to return when the weather is better, although she wasn't convinced that the visit alone justified another trip. Evan was more interested in the possibilities for exploring additional forest roads.
Official Park Information
The Lincoln National Forest official website is the place to start when planning a visit.
Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Lincoln National Forest encompasses extensive mountain landscapes in southern New Mexico, including parts of the Sacramento, Guadalupe, and Capitan mountain ranges. Its terrain ranges from dry desert environments to forested mountain slopes, supporting a wide variety of plants and wildlife. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, scenic drives, mountain biking, horseback riding, and other outdoor recreation, depending on the area. The forest also includes numerous roads and trails, with motorized access governed by designated routes and local restrictions. Because conditions and closures can vary, check the official website before setting out.
Final Thoughts
Lincoln National Forest was a worthwhile drive, especially as part of a larger trip through southern New Mexico. The bobcat sighting and the drive into Dog Canyon were the highlights, but the fog kept us from appreciating as much of the scenery as we'd hoped.
I'd like to see the area again on a clear day, though I'm not in a hurry to make a special trip just for that. If you're already traveling through the region, it's worth allowing a few hours to explore. If you're specifically interested in hiking or off-roading, there's considerably more here to investigate than we managed to fit into our visit.
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