Welcome to the Carson National Forest!
Wintertime
is Here!
Fresh air. Fresh snow! The finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.5 million acres of the Carson National Forest. Elevations rise from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico. Our mission is to maintain that natural beauty and protect the wildlife that calls it home.
The Carson National Forest is the northernmost of five National Forests in New Mexico. These are America's great outdoors, here to serve the American people at work and play!
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Pile Burning This Winter
Fire crews are conducting pile burns throughout the forest this winter weather season. Here’s where and why.
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Join Snow Rangers for a Tour
Our popular snow ranger program is back in 2024! Join an interpretive ski and snowboard tour at the Red River, Sipapu or Taos Ski Valley resorts.
Plan An Unforgettable Experience
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Recreation
Skiing, views, prehistoric ruins, ice caves, lava flows, and some of the best biking trails in New Mexico.
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Be Prepared
Maps are available in all formats and for all devices. Plan ahead by mapping your adventure.
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Passes/Permits
Camping? Collecting fuelwood? Family Reunion? Filming a Hollywood blockbuster? Get the pass or permit you need! Know before heading out.
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Enchanted Circle Landscape
As part of the national Wildfire Crisis Strategy, the Enchanted Circle landscape is the recipient of a historical investment in wildfire risk reduction.
Features
Check out Echo Amphitheater this Winter
Echo Amphitheater will reopen at 9 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2024. It may close as early as March 2024 for the second phase of construction funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund. It’s name comes from the auditory component of the otherwise visually stunning natural amphitheater.
Changes Around the Forest in 2024
It’s a new year and that means seasonal changes around the forest, from road closures to a partial closure in the Valle Vidal, plus news about office hours and permit sales.