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. 

Recreation Passes

Save money with the Enchantment Pass! Access dozens of New Mexico National Forest recreation areas for one low annual fee of $40. For more information about the pass and to find purchasing locations. Learn more about this and other recreation passes. 

Past Volunteering Events

Highlighting past volunteer events

Be Bear Aware

Whether you are hiking, camping, or living in an area with bears, it is important to be informed on bear safety to keep you and your family safe.

Kiowa National Grassland and the Canadian River Riparian Restoration Project

Albuquerque, NM, June 16, 2022 – Congratulations to the Kiowa National Grassland and the Canadian River Riparian Restoration Project for their 2021 USDA Forest Service National Rise to the Future Award for Collaborative and Integrated Aquatic Stewardship. These groups have been working in partnership to restore the watershed for many years by treating invasive species in the riparian corridor as well as other projects. 

Volunteer Week 2024

Learn more about the fantastic volunteer groups working around the Cibola National Forest! Updated throughout the week of April 22. 

Travel Management

The Forest Service released the final rule for managing recreational off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on the national forests and grasslands in November 2005. The rule provides a framework for each national forest to identify and designate roads, trails, and areas suitable for motorized use. It also prohibits use of motor vehicles off the designated system. The rule was developed to address the threat of unmanaged motorized recreation to the health of the nation's national forests and grasslands.

Cougar Country

Cougar Material

Cibola Offering Recreation Passes Online

Planning to visit the Cibola? Now you can purchase your day use pass on line! Save the hassle of finding cash for the fee envelope and instead purchase a digital pass through our partner, Recreation.gov. This pass can be used for all sites that charge a day use fee on Sandia Ranger District, and at Lake McClellan on Black Kettle Ranger District.  Purchase your pass ahead of time or directly at the site when you visit; your license plate will be used to verify your purchase.

Forest Plan Revision

The Cibola is one of eight early adopter forests completing forest plan revision using the 2012 Planning Rule for the Sandia, Mt. Taylor, Magdalena, and Mountainair Ranger Districts.  

Continuing the strong emphasis that has been placed on public engagement throughout this rule-making effort, the USDA formed a Federal Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary and the Chief on implementation of the final planning rule. Click here for more information.

The 2012 Planning Rule Proposed Directives have been released. 

Celebrating 75 Years of a Beloved Fire-Prevention Icon

The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands wishes Smokey Bear a very happy birthday!  The orphaned black bear cub that became a living symbol was found on the Lincoln National Forest, our neighbor to the south.  We feel a particularly close connection to Smokey Bear and his message of fire-prevention. While we celebrate 75 years of Smokey Bear as an integral part of the nation’s popular culture, let’s take a look back at his captivating story!

Forest Plan Revision

The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (Cibola) is revising its 1985 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mt. Taylor Ranger Districts. Find out where we are in the process and how to get involved.

Travel Analysis Process

The Travel Analysis Process (TAP) is a planning tool to be used to identify opportunities for the national forest transportation system to meet current and future management objectives and to provide information that allows integration of ecological, social, and economic concerns into future decisions.  The TAP individually analyzed each of the National Forest System roads, using the associated risks and benefits, and resulted in a matrix to be used as part of future road system decisions.  The TAP is not a signed decision document but is rather a set of recommended changes to the forest transportation system. 

The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands elected to conduct this analysis on a district level.  There are 6 TAPs, one for each district, presented below.  The maps show the district roads separated into the categories of “likely needed” and “likely not needed,” from the TAP analysis.