Cibola National Forest

This is one of the states gems. The National Forest sections are in New Mexico and are beloved for their diversity and beauty. Whatever it is you seek in a place of wild beauty, it’s here. From desert up through juniper, pine, and spruce-fir forests. It’s an oasis of coolness in the heat of summer with easy access by paved roads and yet trails into the backcountry for hiking.

The Cibola National Forest is made up of several ranger districts

Mount Taylor Ranger District

The Mt. Taylor Ranger District is comprised of two mountain ranges, Mt. Taylor and the Zuni Mountains, totaling nearly 520,000 acres of National Forest land. Elevations range from 6,500 to 11,301 feet. Mt. Taylor is an area of special religious and cultural significance to several Native American communities. Mt. Taylor and the Zuni Mountains are rich in cultural resources including many historic sawmills and logging community sites and logging railroad beds. The Mountainair Ranger District The Mountainair Ranger District is made up of the Gallinas and Manzano mountains. Among the many attractions is the largest stand of Rocky Mountain large tooth maples in New Mexico at the head of Tajique Canyon. Small, predominantly Hispanic communities, (most of them land grant communities), surround the Manzanos. The area in general is agriculturally based, with very close ties to the land.

Magdalena Ranger District

The District itself is composed of four separate and distinct mountain ranges in southwest New Mexico covering the three counties of Socorro, Catron, and Sierra. The ranges include the Datils, Bears, San Mateos and Magdalena Mountains. From the peak of South Baldy at 10,700 dropping in elevation to under 6000 feet in the southern portion of the San Mateos, varied topography and ecosystems can be found on the district.

Recreational activities include hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, hunting, and four-wheeling to name a few. To host these activities, the district has five small-developed campgrounds including Water Canyon, Springtime, Luna Park, Beartrap and Hughes Mill. With limited use of the campgrounds primary recreational values are the many dispersed, primitive, and unconfined acres. Created in 1980, the Apache Kid and Withington Wilderness' are located in the San Mateo Mountains. Some 190 miles of trails are located throughout the district centered primarily in the Magdalena and San Mateo Mountains. Maintained roads total about 500 miles with another 600 miles of unimproved roads. Thompson Canyon is a noted popular rock climbing area with the challenging Enchanted Tower.

Sandia Ranger District

Just east of Albuquerque are the most visited mountains in New Mexico. Millions of people journey into the Sandia Mountains each year. More than half these visitors ride the Sandia Peak Tram or drive the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway to take in spectacular panoramic views of Central New Mexico and to enjoy many other recreational opportunities. The Four Seasons Visitor Center offers year round interpretive exhibits and seasonal programs at the upper Tram Building. The Scenic Byway has several newly remodeled picnic grounds with shelters and group areas for reservation.

The National Fee Project is currently in operation for all developed sites on the Scenic Byway and along the west and north sides of the district in the Juan Tabo, Basin, and Las Huertas Canyon Areas. A daily amenity fee of $3.00 is required for all vehicles parking in designated, developed recreation sites around the District. (Note: you can use your National Parks Senior Pass at all locations in the Sandia Ranger district).
The Crest offers spectacular views from generally flat and well-marked trails (but if you aren't used to walking two miles above sea-level, take it very easy).

The North Trail is one of the loveliest (and least strenuous) trails in the Cibola National Forest is also one of the least known. In fact, if you didn’t know the North Crest Trail was there, you might not even spot its trailhead. But it's worth seeking it out.

National Grasslands

Part of Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands edge into New Mexico, and the Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands are outside of New Mexico - located in Oklahoma, and/or Texas.

Camping

All developed recreation areas on the Cibola National Forest allow camping except those on the Sandia Ranger District, which are for group camping and day-use picnicking.

Firewood You may find dead and down timber near your camping unit to use as firewood; however, it is recommended that you carry firewood, charcoal or a petroleum-fueled stove with you just in case firewood is not readily available. You may not cut standing dead trees for firewood without a permit issued by the district ranger supervising the camping area.

Campfires: Campfire permits are not necessary except during periods of high or extreme fire danger. Please check with the district ranger or forest headquarters to determine if fire and/or smoking restrictions are in effect during your visit.

A cooking or heating device containing its own fuel -- such as kerosene, gasoline, or butane -- is not considered a "campfire;" usually there are no restrictions on the use of such devices if they meet Underwriter Laboratory safety standards. Charcoal burners are considered a "campfire."

Backpacking and Wilderness

If you are backpacking, there are no regulations governing the size of groups on the Cibola National Fotest. But a maximum of 10 is recommended. Special orders limit your stay to 14 days in a 45-day period. Most backcountry areas are quite dry; most streams and springs do not flow throughout the year. You will need to carry water for drinking and camping in the backcountry.

Conditions can be very challenging in the back country - consult the local ranger district office before planning an extended trip.

Mountain Bike, Motorcycle and Jeep Trails

Some trails on portions of the Cibola are closed to use by all kinds of mechanized/motor vehicles. Motorized vehicles are not permitted in the four designated wilderness areas.

While there are no trails specifically designated as jeep trails or motorcycle trails on the Cibola, there are numerous old woods routes and logging roads throughout the districts, which may be enjoyed by mountain bike, motorcycle or jeep. Please inquire at the local ranger district office for information on trails, off-road vehicle use and areas closed to mechanized traffic.

Cibola National Forest
2113 Osuna Road, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113 Phone: (505) 346-3900
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/

Cibola National Forest Cibola (pronounced SEE-bo-lah) National Forest and National Grasslands stretches over 1.9 million acres and three states - New Mexico, western Oklahoma and northwestern Texas. This is one of the states gems. The National Forest sections are in New Mexico and are beloved for their diversity and beauty. Whatever it is you seek in a place of wild beauty, it’s here. From desert up through juniper, pine, and spruce-fir forests. It’s an oasis of coolness in the heat of summer with easy access by paved roads and yet trails into the backcountry for hiking. The Cibola National Forest is made up of several ranger districts Mount Taylor Ranger District The Mt. Taylor Ranger District is comprised of two mountain ranges, Mt. Taylor and the Zuni Mountains, totaling nearly 520,000 acres of National Forest land. Elevations range from 6,500 to 11,301 feet. Mt. Taylor is an area of special religious and cultural significance to several Native American communities. Mt. Taylor and the Zuni Mountains are rich in cultural resources including many historic sawmills and logging community sites and logging railroad beds. The Mountainair Ranger District The Mountainair Ranger District is made up of the Gallinas and Manzano mountains. Among the many attractions is the largest stand of Rocky Mountain large tooth maples in New Mexico at the head of Tajique Canyon. Small, predominantly Hispanic communities, (most of them land grant communities), surround the Manzanos. The area in general is agriculturally based, with very close ties to the land. Magdalena Ranger District The District itself is composed of four separate and distinct mountain ranges in southwest New Mexico covering the three counties of Socorro, Catron, and Sierra. The ranges include the Datils, Bears, San Mateos and Magdalena Mountains. From the peak of South Baldy at 10,700 dropping in elevation to under 6000 feet in the southern portion of the San Mateos, varied topography and ecosystems can be found on the district. Recreational activities include hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, hunting, and four-wheeling to name a few. To host these activities, the district has five small-developed campgrounds including Water Canyon, Springtime, Luna Park, Beartrap and Hughes Mill. With limited use of the campgrounds primary recreational values are the many dispersed, primitive, and unconfined acres. Created in 1980, the Apache Kid and Withington Wilderness' are located in the San Mateo Mountains. Some 190 miles of trails are located throughout the district centered primarily in the Magdalena and San Mateo Mountains. Maintained roads total about 500 miles with another 600 miles of unimproved roads. Thompson Canyon is a noted popular rock climbing area with the challenging Enchanted Tower. Sandia Ranger District Just east of Albuquerque are the most visited mountains in New Mexico. Millions of people journey into the Sandia Mountains each year. More than half these visitors ride the Sandia Peak Tram or drive the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway to take in spectacular panoramic views of Central New Mexico and to enjoy many other recreational opportunities. The Four Seasons Visitor Center offers year round interpretive exhibits and seasonal programs at the upper Tram Building. The Scenic Byway has several newly remodeled picnic grounds with shelters and group areas for reservation. The National Fee Project is currently in operation for all developed sites on the Scenic Byway and along the west and north sides of the district in the Juan Tabo, Basin, and Las Huertas Canyon Areas. A daily amenity fee of $3.00 is required for all vehicles parking in designated, developed recreation sites around the District. (Note: you can use your National Parks Senior Pass at all locations in the Sandia Ranger district). The Crest offers spectacular views from generally flat and well-marked trails (but if you aren't used to walking two miles above sea-level, take it very easy). The North Trail is one of the loveliest (and least strenuous) trails in the Cibola National Forest is also one of the least known. In fact, if you didn’t know the North Crest Trail was there, you might not even spot its trailhead. But it's worth seeking it out. National Grasslands Part of Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands edge into New Mexico, and the Black Kettle, and McClellan Creek National Grasslands are outside of New Mexico - located in Oklahoma, and/or Texas. Camping All developed recreation areas on the Cibola National Forest allow camping except those on the Sandia Ranger District, which are for group camping and day-use picnicking. Firewood You may find dead and down timber near your camping unit to use as firewood; however, it is recommended that you carry firewood, charcoal or a petroleum-fueled stove with you just in case firewood is not readily available. You may not cut standing dead trees for firewood without a permit issued by the district ranger supervising the camping area. Campfires: Campfire permits are not necessary except during periods of high or extreme fire danger. Please check with the district ranger or forest headquarters to determine if fire and/or smoking restrictions are in effect during your visit. A cooking or heating device containing its own fuel -- such as kerosene, gasoline, or butane -- is not considered a "campfire;" usually there are no restrictions on the use of such devices if they meet Underwriter Laboratory safety standards. Charcoal burners are considered a "campfire." Backpacking and Wilderness If you are backpacking, there are no regulations governing the size of groups on the Cibola National Fotest. But a maximum of 10 is recommended. Special orders limit your stay to 14 days in a 45-day period. Most backcountry areas are quite dry; most streams and springs do not flow throughout the year. You will need to carry water for drinking and camping in the backcountry. Conditions can be very challenging in the back country - consult the local ranger district office before planning an extended trip. Mountain Bike, Motorcycle and Jeep Trails Some trails on portions of the Cibola are closed to use by all kinds of mechanized/motor vehicles. Motorized vehicles are not permitted in the four designated wilderness areas. While there are no trails specifically designated as jeep trails or motorcycle trails on the Cibola, there are numerous old woods routes and logging roads throughout the districts, which may be enjoyed by mountain bike, motorcycle or jeep. Please inquire at the local ranger district office for information on trails, off-road vehicle use and areas closed to mechanized traffic. Cibola National Forest 2113 Osuna Road, NE Albuquerque, NM 87113 Phone: (505) 346-3900 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/ © 2010
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