Public Lands Interpretive Association

Traveling to Taos

The Rio Grande Gorge near has a long and storied history of travel. Click the link below to view a story map from the Bureau of Land Management to help you explore the history of business, railroads, and travel in the gorge as well as the namesake of the John Dunn bridge!

Traveling to Taos Río Grande del Norte National Monument: John Dunn's bridges and the Denver & Rio Grande Chili Line

Bookstores

Notice our new website? The new publiclands.org features a streamlined shopping experience, as well as much more information on our bookstores, campgrounds, programs and more!

Bookstores PLIA operates sales outlets at visitor centers and district offices on public lands in Arizona and New Mexico. We provide high quality customer service, interpretive programs and visitor safety information for visitors to exceptional experiences on public lands. We encourage all visitors to care abo...

Many Americans flock to public lands for Memorial Day to celebrate the start of summer. With fires across New Mexico, many of these lands are closed to public recreation. Our amazing Public Lands Information Center staff are keeping track of what's open for you! Visit www.publiclands.org/pages/information to see their list of open public lands, updated today.

Our main office in Albuquerque (and many agencies) will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Fort Craig Historic Site | Bureau of Land Management

The Fort Craig Visitor Center is closed until further notice. Please check the site below for updates.

Fort Craig Historic Site | Bureau of Land Management Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

As many agencies have a hand in New Mexico's public lands, it can be difficult to determine what is closed or open. Our amazing staff at the NM Public Lands Information Center are consistently updating this list as options for recreation are limited due to fire concerns. Updates can be found at https://publiclands.org/blogs/fire-updates-new-mexico

Please !

The New Mexico Public Lands Information Center released this list of what's still open and what's closed. This can change daily, so bookmark their website: publiclands.org/pages/information

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍: (all with Stage II Fire Restrictions):

𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐮𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐫𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬
All are open for day use, including the Foothills Trail #365. The Sandia Peak Tramway is open during regular hours (weather permitting), but the hiking trails at the top are closed.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬
All are open for day use to NM licensed hunters or GAIN Permit holders.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬
All not listed in the next section are open.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬
All are open for day use to NM State Land Office Recreation Permit holders.

𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬
All trails and areas not listed in the next section are open for day use, including: Dale Ball, El Camino Real, Rail, Diablo Canyon, Nambe, La Tierra, Randall Davey Audubon Center and Galisteo Basin Preserve.

𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬
All recreation sites in New Mexico are open, including Abiquiu Dam and Lake, and Cochiti Dam and Lake.

𝐔𝐒 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
All lands, trails, roads, recreation sites, campgrounds and dispersed areas in New Mexico (except Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks NM) are open, including: Diablo Canyon, La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs (day use), Rio Grande del Norte NM, Santa Cruz Lake, and Wild Rivers.

𝐔𝐒 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
All recreation sites in New Mexico are open.

𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞
All lands, roads, trails and campgrounds not listed in the next section are open. (Gila NF only)

𝐔𝐒 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞
All sites in New Mexico not listed in the next section are open. Bandelier NM reopens 27 May 2022.

𝐔𝐒 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐬
All sites in New Mexico are open for day use.
Many county, tribal, and municipal areas in New Mexico are closed, or have “no burn”, campfire and fireworks restrictions. Inquire locally before traveling.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃:

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (reopens 27 May 2022)

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭
All US Forest lands, campgrounds, roads and trails are closed. State and federal highways are open for through traffic only.

𝐂𝐢𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭
All US Forest lands, campgrounds, roads and trails are closed. State and federal highways are open for through traffic only. NM 165 and NM 536 (Sandia Crest Highway) is closed to all traffic at the Forest boundary (just west of Tinkertown). There is no public access to Sandia Crest at this time.

𝐂𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐂𝐨𝐲𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐅𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐅𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭
All lands, trails and campgrounds in the Gila NF Wilderness District depicted on: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1025058.pdf, including the Continental Divide Trail, are closed. The remainder of the Gila NF is under Stage II Fire Restrictions.

𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚-𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐰𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐍𝐌 (closed indefinitely due to pandemic)

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 (closed after 25 May 2022)
All US Forest lands, campgrounds, roads and trails will be closed after Wednesday, 25 May 2022. State and federal highways are open for through traffic only.

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐏𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐏𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬
Arroyo de la Piedra Open Space, Little Tesuque Creek Open Space, Rio en Medio Open Space, and Talaya Hill Open Space

𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭
All US Forest lands, campgrounds, roads and trails are closed. NM 63 (Pecos Canyon), NM 518 (NM 76 to NM 94), and NM 121 are closed to all traffic. State and federal highways are open for through traffic only.

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞

Educational programs at the Kaibab National Forest campgrounds are coming soon!

If you're visiting Northern AZ, check the Kaibab Lake Campground Dogtown Lake Campground and White Horse Lake Campground pages to keep informed on various guided walks, info sessions, and much more!

Thanks to our Southwest Recreation team for their outstanding programs scheduled this summer!

Hello lovers of White Horse Lake Campground! We are so excited for this season and we have tons of amazing events and programs planned for you all! Please be sure to check out our page regularly because we will be posting monthly schedules listing all the events and programs so you can plan to participate in them while you are enjoying the Kaibab National Forest 🌲

Our first week, May 25 - May 31, will be about Biodiversity 🐻🦉🐝🌾🌻🍄
(More information below)

Unfortunately, fire conditions across New Mexico have prompted the Carson, Santa Fe, and portions of the Cibola National Forests to close public access for the near future. Starting tomorrow, many forest lands and developed sites will be inaccessible for recreation.

Please visit fs.usda.gov to see alerts for specific forests and ranger districts.

Visit the links below for press releases for each of the forests in New Mexico issuing closure orders at this time:

Carson NF: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/carson/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1024326

Santa Fe NF: https://nmfireinfo.com/2022/05/17/santa-fe-nf-to-implement-forest-wide-closure-order-may-19/

Cibola NF:https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1024312.pdf

Please exercise caution and pay attention to fire restrictions on any public lands you visit during this dry season.

FOREST TO CLOSE THURSDAY

Carson National Forest managers will implement Stage 3 fire restrictions to close the entire Forest to public entry beginning Thursday, May 19, at 8:00 a.m. Fire danger remains extreme with record conditions only expected to worsen over the foreseeable future.

Forest managers consider several factors before implementing fire restrictions or forest closures, including current fire danger and fire activity, local, regional and national fire preparedness levels, expected weather conditions, availability of firefighting resources, and the economic impacts to businesses and communities. The Forest coordinates fire restrictions and forest closures with federal, state, tribal and local partners.

“The hot and dry conditions we’re experiencing pose a dire risk for wildfires to quickly ignite and spread rapidly,” said Carson National Forest Supervisor James Duran. “Community compliance will be essential for our success in protecting the forest amid these conditions.”

Businesses and communities surrounded by the Carson National Forest will remain open, but campgrounds, trails and National Forest System roads will close. Stage 2 fire restrictions will remain in effect for any entities given permission to enter the forest (e.g. utilities performing critical infrastructure work).

The Camino Real Ranger District closed last week after the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires crossed over the Forest boundary from the Santa Fe National Forest, which will also close Thursday (a portion of Cibola National Forest will close the same day, too).

The last time the Forest closed was in late June 2018, when conditions were similar. Extreme conditions occurred earlier this year, however, and are already more severe than most on record.

The Forest Order (and its exhibit) implementing the closure will be rescinded after significant moisture has been received and overall conditions improve. At this time, there is no sign of significant precipitation in the near-term forecast. Any short duration rains, cloud cover, cooler temps or higher humidity may only provide temporary relief.

Violations of violating the order are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and/or by imprisonment for not more than six months. Fire prevention and law enforcement will be patrolling, and anyone who violates Stage 3 restrictions will be ticketed.

Paving projects at Sabino Canyon will lead to closures starting next week. Please check the linked website to see what areas will be inaccessible and when.

Phase 3 of the Sabino Canyon paving project begins on May 15th.

The affected roads and trails are as follows:

NFSR # 100 Sabino Canyon Road
NFSR # 100A Lower Bear Canyon Road
NFSR # 100B Sabino Overlook Road
NFSR # 100D Sabino Dam Road
NFSR # 100E Sabino Lake Road
NFSR # 100F Sabino Group Picnic Road
NFST # 23A Sabino Historic Trail
NFST # 25 Lower Esperero Trail (0.5 miles – From Bear Canyon (NFST 329) to Sabino Canyon Road (NFSR #100)
NFST # 27 Phoneline Trail – 3.4 miles From Blacketts Ridge Junction (NFST # 48) to Sabino Canyon Trail (NFST # 23)
NFST # 27A Phoneline Link Trail
NFST # 50 Rattlesnake Trail
NFST # 51 Bluff Trail
NFST # 52 Creek Trail
NFST # 53 Sabino Walkway
NFST # 53A Sabino Connector Trail

Read the official closure notice:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coronado/alerts-notices/?aid=72045

Just in: National Forest closures across Northern New Mexico. Please visit the U.S. Forest Service - Carson National Forest page for up-to-date evacuation and closure announcements.

PORTION OF THE FOREST TO CLOSE

The Camino Real Ranger District of the Carson National Forest will close Thursday morning due to the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires. Forest visitors will need to vacate Forest Service lands within the district by 6:00 a.m., Thursday, May 12, when the closure begins.

The fires have prompted numerous evacuation statuses (map) for communities within and adjacent to the Forest. The fire's edge has crossed into the district, which is located on the southeast side of the Forest.

The closure only affects lands, roads and trails managed by the Forest Service. Private property and local roads/highways will remain open, unless evacuated or closed by local and/or state authorities. Some local roads and areas are already closed along the Highway 518 corridor.

Forest areas remaining open will continue to be in Stage 2 fire restrictions. Stage 3 fire restrictions, which would close a portion or all of the Forest, may be implemented soon.

All area residents, regardless of current evacuation status, are encouraged to have an emergency kit and an evacuation plan. More tips can be found in the Forest’s latest monthly wildfire preparedness message at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/carson/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1018284

Closure map:https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1022005.pdf

Restrictions on target shooting due to fire danger go into effect today on BLM lands in NE New Mexico. Visit the linked page to see the full scope of these restrictions and precautions you can take when recreating on BLM land.

Beginning May 11 at 12:01 a.m., the BLM Taos Field Office will increase fire restriction to include limits on target shooting. Target shooting may only take place daily between sunrise and 11 a.m. For more information on the updated order, visit https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-taos-increases-fire-restrictions-include-limits-target-shooting.

The Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire has displaced many New Mexicans for the foreseeable future. New Mexico Highlands University has compiled a list of resources for affected communities and trustworthy organizations providing direct aid.

Visit the link below to see up-to-date info and maps, apply for assistance, or to contribute to the agencies helping New Mexicans through this time.

https://www.nmhu.edu/hermit/

Today we celebrate a successful first week at our outlet in the US Forest Service - Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands Sandia Ranger Station in Tijeras! The Sandia Ranger District encompasses the Sandia Mountains and Wilderness, just minutes away from Albuquerque. A wide variety of trails for all skill levels and activities are available, as well as archaeological sites, wildlife viewing and more!

We are carrying a variety of maps, pocket guides, and books that will enhance your experience on the public lands in our own backyard. Visit us at our store in Los Ranchos for an even bigger selection, or shop online at www.publiclands.org !


Photo Credit: USFS Cibola NF, Pat Johnson