Carson National Forest - New Mexico

Tel: (505) 758-6200

Encompassing 1.5 million acres, Carson National Forest was once inhabited by the Ancient Pueblo (Anasazi) people, who left ruins of adobe dwellings and other artifacts at what is now the forest's Pot Creek Cultural Site. Today, visitors can find some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest here. The scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains include Wheeler Peak, the highest in the state, and there are a number of scenic drives available.

Visitors to the Carson National Forest can check out Ghost Ranch Living Museum near Abiquiu for live plant and animal displays and nearly 40 animals indigenous to New Mexico, which have been orphaned, abandoned or relinquished as pets. Don't forget to tour picturesque Spanish villages, float down Chama River Canyon, and visit Taos Pueblo while you're here either. Naturalists will love the magnificent mountain scenery and cool summer temperatures perfect for horseback riding, trout fishing, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter. And for those who want to spend more time away, the Carson National Forest provides 39 opportunities for dispersed car camping and backcountry camping as well as 330 miles of trails great for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and 4-wheel drive exploring. The Carson National Forest is located in Northern New Mexico, around the communities of Taos, Questa, Penasco, Tres Piedras, Canjilon and El Rito.