Safety

Preparation and safety are of utmost importance while recreating in the national forest.  Please observe safety alerts and notices before your excursion to the forest.  Simply knowing the current conditions, closures and alerts prepares you for a pleasurable outdoor visit, free from any surprise that could deter your fun!

Rules and Closure Orders

In order to ensure the health and safety of forest visitors now and in the future, we ask you to follow the guidelines established to protect the forest and the natural environment. Long term and temporary closure orders and prohibitions are posted on the website, posted on bulletin boards, or located in the district or supervisor’s office. Alerts and Closures are posted below, as well.

Closure and Restrictions Map

• View map of Cibola Grassland Units

Alerts

• 03-03-03-22-01 Bear Trap Fire Area, Road and Trail Closure

  Area(s): Bear Trap Campground, Hughes Mill Campground, Mesa Trail, Mesa Trailhead, Six Mile Trail, South Canyon Trail

  Date(s): Jul 25, 2022 - Aug 31, 2022

  The Bear Trap Fire Area Closure, Road and Trails Closure Order 03-03-03-22-01 has been issued for National Forest System lands listed in Exhibit A within the Magdalena Ranger District, Cibola National Forest, Socorro County, New Mexico. This Order will be effective on July 25, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. and shall remain in effect until August 31, 2022, at 11:59 a.m., or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

  The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety from post wildfire hazards and provide for firefighter and contractor safety during post wildfire suppression repair from the Bear Trap Fire.

  • Closure Order
  • Closure Order Map

  This Order supersedes Forest Order 03-0728, dated May 19, 2022.

• August 13-14 Oakflats Mountain Bike Race on Sandia Ranger District

  Date(s): Aug 11, 2022 - Aug 14, 2022

  Visitors to the Sandia Ranger District on Friday, August 12 thru Sunday, August 14, 2022, may be impacted by a special event at the Oak Flat picnic grounds, trails and recreation area.

  On August 12, 2022, participants for the Oakflats mountain bike race will be setting up to prepare for the 2-day race event that will take place on Saturday, August 13 - Sunday August, 14, 2022. Up to 150 participants and 100 spectators are expected for the weekend event at the Oak Flat recreation area.

  Visitors to the Sandia Ranger District are encouraged to prepare for your visit this weekend by exploring other recreation sites and trails on the Cibola National Forest.

• 03-0714 Food Storage Restrictions - Mountainair and Sandia Ranger District

  Date(s): Jun 4, 2021 - Dec 1, 2022

  The purpose of this Order is to minimize adverse interactions between bears and humans. These restrictions apply to all National Forest System Lands within the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts (only) of the Cibola National Forest. This Order is effective through December 1, 2021, and from March 1, 2022, through December 1, 2022, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

  • All food and refuse must be acceptably stored or acceptably possessed during daytime hours and nighttime hours; see definitions in Exhibit D.
  • Harvested animal carcass must be acceptably stored; see Exhibit D.
  • Camping or sleeping areas must be established at least one-half mile from a known animal carcass or at least 100 yards from an acceptably stored animal carcass.

  View the order, definitions and Exhibits A-D.

• Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun is prohibited

  Date(s): Feb 1, 2019 - Mar 30, 2025

  Provides for public safety

  View Order here

• Tips on reporting suspicious activity on the forest

  Date(s): Mar 3, 2014

  If you see an activity that you think is suspicious, we encourage you to report it.

  Review our circular for what to look for, and for what to do, if you see any suspicious activity on the forest.

  The National Forests and Grasslands are your lands. You have a stake in what happens on them. There are laws in place to protect the forest's biodiversity, scenic views, water, soil and the cultural heritage.

  Call Local Law Enforcement, Non-Emergency phone number or Contact your local Ranger District via phone.

  NOTE: Ranger Districts are open Monday through Friday.

Closures

• 03-0721 Temp Closure Order for Trails within Zuni Mountains

  Area(s): Strawberry Canyon Trail

  Date(s): Apr 11, 2022 - Sep 1, 2022

  To protect public health and safety due to mechanical thinning activities with the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, Y2K, Strawberry Canyon, Mike’s Rippin’ and a portion of the Tampico Springs Trails areas will be closed effective April 11, 2022 thru September 1, 2022.

  • Closure Order
  • Map of Closure Area
• Regional Closure Order - Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks

  Date(s): May 30, 2019 - Jun 1, 2023

  Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.SO(a) the following acts are prohibited in the area as described in this Order and as depicted on the attached map hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "restricted area"), within the Southwestern Region National Forests and National Grasslands in the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma.

  View Order

• Regional Motor Vehicle Code

  Date(s): May 30, 2019 - Jun 1, 2023

  PROHIBITIONS:

  • Operating any type of vehicle that does not comply with the Motor Vehicle Code for that state. 36 CFR 261.54 (a)
  • Operating any type of vehicle in a manner inconsistent with the Motor Vehicle Code for that state. 36 CFR 261.54 (b)
  • Using a road for commercial hauling without a permit or written authorization. 36 CFR 261.54 (c)
  • Operating a vehicle in violation of the Motor Vehicle Code for that state. 36 CFR 261.54 (d)
  • Being on the road while operating any type of vehicle in violation of the Motor Vehicle Code for that state. 36 CFR 261.54 (e)
  • Operating any type of vehicle carelessly, recklessly, or without regard for the rights or safety of other persons or in a manner or at a speed that would endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. 36 CFR 261.54 (f)

  See Order 03-00-00-19-002

• 03-0656 Sandia RD: Juan Tabo / La Cueva Picnic Area Use Closure Hours

  Date(s): Apr 27, 2018 - Apr 27, 2023

  PROHIBITIONS:
  Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and Title 36 CFR 26 l .50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited within all roads and trails in the area as described in this Order (the "restricted area") and as depicted on the attached maps, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A and B, wiLhin the Sandia Ranger District, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties within the State of New Mexico.

  1. Being in the restricted area after sundown or before sunrise.

  2. Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by State law.

  See Order No. 03-0656

• 03-0645 Cibola NF: Camping Limit, Alcohol & Nudity Restrictions

  Date(s): Feb 23, 2018 - Feb 28, 2023

  The following acts are prohibited within the areas as described in this Order and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, in the States of New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.

  1. Camping for more than 14 days, whether or not consecutive, within any 45-day period.
  2. Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by state law.
  3. Being publicly nude.
  Publicly nude means nude in any place where a person may be observed by another person. Any person is nude if the person has failed to cover the rectal area, pubic area or the genitals. A female person is also nude if she has failed to cover both breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola. Each such covering must be fully opaque. No person under the age of 10 years shall be considered publicly nude.

  See Order 03-0645 Occupancy and Use Closure