Passes
The Cibola National Forest offers many free activities such as hiking, biking, camping, birding, scenic drives and more, but some locations require a fee to help maintain, manage and improve the amenities you enjoy.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) (16 U.S.C. 6801-6814) states that 95% of Recreation fee revenues are retained locally by the National Forest unit, where the fee is paid. These fees help:
- Conserve, protect, and restore natural and cultural resources
- Enhance recreation opportunities by funding trail maintenance, upgrades, safety features, clean facilities and new developments
Recreation Fees
How Can I Pay the Fee?
There are several ways to pay the day-use fee to help maintain facilities and resources.
- Pay each time you visit the site, either at a drop-box on site or electronically via a posted QR code for certain sites
- Purchase a Cibola Day Use Pass online at Recreation.gov and print the pass out prior to your arrival
- Purchase a site-specific pass, like the New Mexico Enchantment pass
- Buy an Interagency Pass for a larger selection of nationwide travel
Which Sites Require a Fee?
You may need to pay a recreation fee depending on which sites you plan to visit. You will know a site has a fee because it will be listed on each recreation site's webpage.
Recreation Passes cover the fees at day-use sites that have standard amenity fees. For example: some picnic sites and trailheads.
Sites with day-use fees:
- 10k Picnic Site and Trailhead
- Albuquerque Trailhead
- Balsam Glade Picnic Site
- Capulin Springs Picnic Site
- Cedro Trailhead
- Cienega Canyon Picnic Site
- Cienega Equestrian Trailhead
- Coal Mine Campground and Picnic Area
- Doc Long Picnic Site
- Ellis Picnic Site
- Fourth of July Picnic Site
- Juan Tabo Picnic Site
- La Cueva Picnic Site
- La Luz Picnic Site and Trailhead
- Lake McClellan (Not covered by the NM Enchantment Pass)
- Lake McClellan Boating Site (Not covered by the NM Enchantment Pass)
- Las Huertas Picnic Site
- McDowell Fishing (Not covered by the NM Enchantment Pass)
- Nine Mile Picnic Site
- Quaking Aspen Campground Day Use
- Red Canyon Campground Day Use
- Sandia Crest Recreation Complex
- Sulphur Canyon Picnic Site
- Tree Spring Picnic Site and Trailhead
- Water Canyon Picnic Site
Certain sites charge expanded amenity fees such as campgrounds, highly developed picnic areas, and snow play areas.
Some of these sites offer reserveable inventory that can be found on Recreation.gov
Sites that charge expanded amenity fees are:
- Balsam Glad Picnic Site
- Capilla Peak Campground
- Capulin Spring Picnic Site
- Capulin Snow Play Area
- Cedro Peak Camping Sites - Robin and Jay
- Coal Mine Campground
- Doc Long Picnic Sites - A and B
- East Bluff #1 Campground
- Fourth of July Campground
- Lake Marvin Picnic Site
- Lake McClellan Campground
- Lake McClellan UTV/ATV Area
- Las Huertas Picnic Site
- McDowell Campground
- McGaffey Oso Campground
- Nine Mile Picnic Site
- Oak, Yucca, and Locust Group Picnic Sites
- Pine Flat Picnic Sites - A and B
- Quaking Aspen Campground
- Red Canyon Campground
- Water Canyon Campground
The Best Recreation Pass for You
If you travel often a recreation pass may save you money instead of paying onsite each time. The best pass for you depends on how often you'll visit and other criteria.
The Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands accept several types of recreation passes, which can be purchased at our offices.
New Mexico Travel Only
This pass covers the fee at dozens of recreation areas in five New Mexico National Forests for $40. Purchase your pass from a local office.
Nationwide Travel
These "interagency passes" provide access to 2,000 recreation areas managed by federal land management agencies. Free and discounted passes are also available.
Have a Senior Pass?
Senior Passes additionally qualify for 50% off standard camping sites! This does not include sites with electric hookups or additional amenities.
Are there Fee-Free Days?
The Forest Service waives day-use fees at most recreation sites on certain days of the year. We encourage you to use this opportunity to explore new sites on federal lands nationwide.
Fee-Free Days in 2025 are:
- Jan 20, 2025: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Jun 14, 2025: National Get Outdoors Day
- Jun 19, 2025: Juneteenth
- Sep 27, 2025: National Public Lands Day
- Nov 11, 2025: Veterans Day
Can I Reserve Sites for Use?
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands have a mix of first-come first-served sites, campground reservations, and picnic area reservations to meet a variety of visitor needs.
Explore Recreation.gov
Visit Recreation.gov and navigate to the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands to see which opportunities are available for advance reservation or purchase.
Free Passes for Volunteer Service
Volunteers come together to be part of something greater than themselves. The perform crucial work that will make an impact now and for generations. Volunteers are eligible for the New Mexico Enchantment Pass and a Volunteer Pass accepted by six federal land management agencies (Interagency Volunteer Pass).
In order to be eligible for these pass opportunities, volunteers must be signed up with their local Forest Service unit under current Volunteer Service Agreement OF-301a or are volunteering with a volunteer group that is in a Volunteer Service Agreement OF-301b with that local unit. Volunteers are responsible for keeping close track of their service hours in order to be eligible for these and other awards. Reach out to your local unit for additional details.
Volunteer 24 hours
- Sign up with a local Forest Service unit under a Volunteer Agreement.
- Volunteer 24 or more hours in New Mexico National Forests.
- Submit your volunteer service hours to your local Forest Service unit annually.
- Receive a free Enchantment Volunteer Pass.
- This pass is managed by the USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region.
- Sign up with a local Forest Service unit under a Volunteer Agreement.
- Volunteer 250 hours at Federal recreation lands nationwide.
- Submit your volunteer service hours to your local Forest Service unit. The 250 hours of service can be accrued over several years.
- Receive a free Interagency Volunteer Pass.
- This pass is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Still Curious about your Pass Type Options?
Areas where fees are required will have their fees posted on site. See this quick guide for identifying which pass types are honored across the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.