Travel To Lincoln National Forest For A New Mexico Adventure

Happy Birthday Smokey Bear

August 9^th is designated birthday of The Smokey Bear, symbol of the National Forest Service and preventing wildfires. Today he turns 69 and in honor of his birthday we invite you to take a look at Lincoln National Forest. Home of the original Smokey Bear, a small cub who was rescued from a fire in the Spring of 1950 in the Capitan Gap in Lincoln National Forest.

Established in 1902, Lincoln National Forest was named in honor of our 16^th president, Abraham Lincoln. Headquartered in Alamogordo New Mexico it is just one of many national forests, national parks and protected areas in the region today. Made up of four mountain ranges which include:

• Capitan Mountains
  
• Guadalupe Mountains
  
• Sacramento Mountains
  
• Sierra Blanca
  

Elevations in the forest range from 4,000 to 11,500 feet above sea level. Much different climate and ecologically than the surrounding areas, visitors heading from southwest Texas to this forest see an elevation change of over 4,000 feet in only around 20 minutes of driving. The temperatures in the common camping areas of Lincoln range from the 50's to the 80's in the heat of summer but commonly see snow and much lower temperatures in the winter months.

A great place to spend the day or a week, many small towns and surround the forest including the city of Cloudcroft and its larger nearby counterpart just over the mountains Ruidoso. For the traveler who enjoys the quaint small town charm of a mountain town, Cloudcroft is a fun choice. Located just miles from the forest headquarters and popular areas such as the Trestle Trail, they offer quaint accommodations, small town charm, rustic camping as well as fishing areas, a museum and great local food and wines. Take a stroll in the lovely downtown and enjoy some amazing history and views no matter where you go.

50 miles through the mountains lies the city of Ruidoso home to Ruidoso Downs, a popular destination for travel. Hiking and biking in the forest are still popular ways to enjoy the areas however, a town of almost 10,000, visitors to Ruidoso can enjoy other popular activities as well including festivals, horse racing and casinos, golf, shopping as well as museums and historic sites.



Get out and find out what you have been missing. Small and large destination offer unique and fun ways to enjoy each other and all the world has to offer you. From New Mexico to Alaska, visit America's forests and much more when you travel with Island Trader VacationClub.