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Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands
The Cibola is spread far and wide across the width of New Mexico and into the grasslands of Texas and Oklahoma - the winter season varies so check with your local ranger district for the status.
The Enchantment of Forest, Wilderness and Grasslands
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands encompasses 1.9 million acres. The 4 “sky island” ranger districts: Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mt Taylor cover more than 1.6 million acres in New Mexico with elevations range up to 11,301 ft. The Cibola also has four wilderness areas: Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington and Apache Kid and administers four National Grasslands: Black Kettle, McClellan Creek, Kiowa and Rita Blanca covering 263,261 acres in northeastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma and northern Texas.
Prepare for Your Visit
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Recreation Sites
Four season opportunities for visitors to the forests, wilderness and grasslands
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Find Your Way
Cibola area maps are available in all formats and for all devices. Plan ahead by mapping your adventure.
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Passes & Permits
Check out what fees are required and what passes are available. Know before heading out.
Discover More about the Cibola
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The Cibola's New Land Management Plan
In July 2022, the Cibola released a new, long-term plan that provides direction for the management for the Cibola National Forest’s four mountain districts.
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Caring for the Land
Learn more about how the Cibola is managed and cared for, including forest planning, travel management, grazing management and annual operating instructions (AOIs), assessments, and special projects.
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A Family Fire Legacy
Matthew Rau, fire staff officer on the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands in New Mexico and incident commander of a Southwest Complex Incident Management Team, never imagined being where he is today. But he had mentors and leaders that believed in his abilities along the way.
Features
Great Showing at the Annual Fishing Derby
On June 1, 2024, the Black Kettle National Grassland and the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce hosted the 32nd Annual Youth Fishing Derby at Skipout Lake this past Saturday. We were blessed with favorable weather and a great showing of youth and their families.
Cibola Air Tanker Base on Kirtland Air Force Base
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands in collaboration with long-standing partner Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) has completed upgrades to the Albuquerque Air Tanker Base (ATB) on the KAFB. These upgrades allow very large airtankers (VLATs) to be filled and deliver fire retardant to suppress wildfires across the Southwest and beyond. The upgrades to the ATB increases capacity for combating the wildfire crisis, making it one of four bases in the region that can accommodate the VLAT.
Spotlights
Award Winners!
Congratulations to the Kiowa National Grassland and the Canadian River Riparian Restoration Project for their USDA Forest Service National Rise to the Future Award.
Thank you!
Highlighting some past volunteer events.
Be Bear Aware
Bear educational material.
Cougar Country
Cougar educational material.
