Welcome to the Carson National Forest

The Carson National Forest is one of five National Forests in New Mexico. The National Forests are America's "great outdoors," here to serve the American people at work and play!

Some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.5 million acres covered by the Carson National Forest. Elevations rise from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico. Our objective is to maintain that natural beauty. More information about the forest

Recent News

• Northern New Mexico National Forests Sign Final Decision on Riparian Restoration

  Release Date: Jul 30, 2021  

• Rehabilitation of Forest Road 76 Corridor following Rainbow Gathering Incident on Carson National Forest

  Release Date: Jul 29, 2021  

Features

Additional thinning areas open for fuelwood collection!

Additional thinning areas open for fuel wood collection. To date 1,154 acres have been completed and are open to fire wood gathering with a valid permit. 

Costilla Creek: No Fish Stocked

Due to a project to expand the Rio Grande Cutthrout Troute, there will be no fish stocked on Rio Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal Boundary including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert cross on FR 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla, and all tributaries.  The NM Department of Game and Fish has implement the final phase of this project to expand Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 120 miles of the Rio Costilla watershed. There is a tentative restocking of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout planned in spring 2022.

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Spotlights