Santa Fe National Forest
North-Central New Mexico

The Santa Fe National Forest is one of the five National Forests in New Mexico. Some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.6 million acres covered by the Santa Fe National Forest. Elevations vary from 5,300 to 13,103 feet at the summit of Truchas Peak, located in the Pecos Wilderness.

Wilderness is federal land designated by Congress as a place where"earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain" (Wilderness Act of 1964). Designated Wilderness Areas are managed as places where natural biological processes are allowed to occur unhindered by human interference. With this non-intrusive manner for maintaining designated wilderness, recreation in these areas provides the opportunity to see nature in its purest form. There is more than 300,000 acres of designated wilderness within the boundaries of the Santa Fe National Forst.

Pecos National Wilderness

In 1964, Congress designated nearly 200,000 acres of land north of Pecos, New Mexico as the Pecos Wilderness. In 1980, Congress added another 55,000 acres to the Pecos Wilderness, bringing the total to 223,667 acres. The wilderness extends through two Ranger Districts in the Santa Fe National Forest and north into the Carson National Forest. Within the boundaries of this expansive area are several major landmarks, including Truchas Peak (13,103 feet) and the southern stretch of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

In the Wilderness, the terrain varies from open meadows in the Pecos River Valley to the steep canyons and high, narrow ridges of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Wildlife ranges from deer and elk to bighorn sheep, turkeys and wild grouse. Some ranchers are also permitted to graze their cattle within the boundaries of the Wilderness. There are 15 lakes, and eight major streams to sustain both plant and animal habitat, including the native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout.

Dome Wilderness

This 5,200-acre area is the smallest National Forest area in the southwest. Situated adjacent to Bandelier Wilderness in Bandelier National Monument, the area provides a continuous expanse of primitive canyon-land environments similar to those found within the National Monument.

The trail system accessing the area also provides access into the west side of Bandelier Wilderness with several trailheads located along Forest Road 289. Elevations range from 5,800 feet at the base of Sanchez Canyon to 8,200 feet near St. Peter's Dome. Special care should be taken not to disturb the many prehistoric ruins scattered throughout the area. The Dome Wilderness is located in the Jemez Ranger District.

Chama River Canyon Wilderness

The Rio Chama Wilderness encompasses 50,300 acres in northwest New Mexico. The U.S. Department of Agriculture designated the land a wilderness area in 1978, and in 1986 the Rio Chama, which flows through the wilderness, was designated a Wild and Scenic River.

Ponderosa Pine, Willows and Cottonwoods share the landscape with a wide range of shrubs and desert grasses. The walls of the Chama Canyon are a striking variety of colors from yellows to maroons marking the distinct layers of sedimentary rock.

Between 70 and 80 different bird varieties can be found in the Chama River Canyon. Along with the many raptors, hawks, and owls there are mule deer, elk coyote, black bear and other, smaller animals searching the canyon for food. Cattle are also allowed to graze areas of the wilderness during summer months.

Two main trails offer popular access into the wilderness. The Hart Trail (Trail #293), off Highway 84 and then Forest Road 145, descends into Chama River Canyon and meets with the Rio Chama. This trail provides a great view of the canyon as well as great fishing opportunities. The second popular trail is a portion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail System. There are two access points to this famous trail. The Skull Bridge on Forest Road 151 is one entry while the other is from the top of Ojitos Canyon off Highway 96. The Chama River Canyon Wilderness is located in the Coyote Ranger District. Small areas of the wilderness also extend into the Carson National Forest.

San Pedro Parks Wilderness

In 1931, the Head of the Forest Service classified a 41,132-acre area in the San Pedro Mountains of western New Mexico as a Primitive Area. Ten years later the Secretary of Agriculture recognized the land as a Wild Area. It wasn't until 1965 that the San Pedro Parks Wilderness was officially designated.

The main features of the Parks are the large grassy meadows surrounded by dense stands of spruce and mixed conifers. Elk, deer, black bear, turkey and other wildlife call this home. The San Pedro Parks is also open to cattle grazing for ranchers with permits.

San Gregorio Lake is the main body of water in the Parks. Various streams cut through the meadows and mountains supporting the native Rio Grande Cutthroat population. Fishing and hiking in the Parks is very popular in the summer with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing taking over when the snow flies. San Pedro Parks Wilderness is located in the souther portion of the Coyote Ranger District and the northern portion of the Cuba Ranger Districts.