Cibola National Forest Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of the enchanting New Mexico region, the Cibola National Forest is a true haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Spanning over 1.6 million acres, this vast national forest offers a diverse range of landscapes, from majestic mountain peaks to picturesque meadows, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a tranquil escape.

One of the main highlights of the Cibola National Forest is its stunning mountain ranges, including the Sandia Mountains and the Manzano Mountains. These towering peaks provide a breathtaking backdrop for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. With an extensive network of trails, visitors can explore the forest's hidden gems, stumbling upon hidden waterfalls, wildflower-filled meadows, and captivating wildlife along the way.

For those looking for a more leisurely experience, the Cibola National Forest offers numerous picnic areas and campgrounds, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the peaceful ambiance of the forest. Whether it's a family gathering or a romantic escapade, these idyllic spots provide the perfect setting for a memorable outdoor meal or a cozy night under the stars.

The Cibola National Forest is also home to an abundance of wildlife, making it a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike. From elusive black bears and majestic elk to vibrant bird species, the forest offers endless opportunities to observe and capture the beauty of its inhabitants. Wildlife enthusiasts can embark on guided tours or explore the forest on their own, immersing themselves in the enchanting sights and sounds of nature.

In addition to its natural wonders, the Cibola National Forest boasts a rich cultural heritage. The forest is dotted with ancient Native American ruins, such as the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, offering a glimpse into the history of indigenous civilizations. Visitors can explore these archaeological sites and learn about the fascinating traditions and customs of the region's original inhabitants.

Alternative names: Area: 2552.78 mi²Elevation: 7156 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 34°17'49"N, 107°29'31"W

Location

New MexicoUnited States

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Cibola National Forest Top Attractions

Cibola National Forest Attractions - What to See and Explore

Cibola National Forest offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Sandia Crest, Sandia Peak Tramway, Sandia Cave, Mount Taylor. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Park
Sandia Crest
The Sandia Mountains are a mountain range located in Bernalillo and Sandoval counties, immediately to the east of the city of Albuquerque in New Mexico in the southwestern United States.
Aerial tramway
Sandia Peak Tramway
The Sandia Peak Tramway is an aerial tramway located adjacent to Albuquerque, New Mexico. It stretches from the northeast edge of the city to Sandia Peak on the ridge line of the Sandia Mountains and has the world's third longest single span.
Nature • Natural attraction • Cave
Sandia Cave
Sandia Cave, also called the Sandia Man Cave, is an archaeological site near Bernalillo, New Mexico, within Cibola National Forest. First discovered and excavated in the 1930s, the site exhibits evidence of human use from 9,000 to 11,000 years ago. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Mount Taylor
Mount Taylor is a dormant stratovolcano in northwest New Mexico, northeast of the town of Grants. It is the high point of the San Mateo Mountains and the highest point in the Cibola National Forest.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
South Baldy
South Baldy is the highest point of the Magdalena Mountains in central New Mexico, in the United States. It is in the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest, about 9 mi south of Magdalena and 18 mi west-southwest of Socorro.
Nature • Natural attraction • Canyon
Tijeras Canyon
Tijeras Canyon is a prominent canyon in the central part of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It separates the Sandia Mountains subrange to the north from the Manzano Mountains subrange to the south. These subranges are part of the larger Sandia–Manzano Mountains; Tijeras Canyon forms a pass through this range.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Magdalena Mountains
The Magdalena Mountains are a regionally high, mountain range in Socorro County, in west-central New Mexico in the southwestern United States. The highest point in the range is South Baldy, at 10,783 ft, which is also the tallest peak in Socorro County. The range runs roughly north-south and is about 18 miles long.
Observatories and planetariums
Starfire Optical Range
Starfire Optical Range is a United States Air Force research laboratory on the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Sedgwick
Mount Sedgwick in New Mexico at 9,256 feet is the highest peak in the Zuni Mountains.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Datil Mountains
The Datil Mountains are a small range on the northern edge of the Mogollon-Datil volcanic field, just northwest of the Plains of San Agustin in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Bear Mountains
The Bear Mountains lie just north of the village of Magdalena and north of the Magdalena Mountains in New Mexico. The Bear Mountains are located within the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Zuñi Mountains
The Zuñi Mountains are a mountain range located mainly in Cibola County of northwestern New Mexico, United States, with a small portion extending into McKinley County. The range is located largely in the Cibola National Forest, lying south of Interstate 40 from southeast of Gallup to southwest of Grants.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
San Mateo Mountains
The San Mateo Mountains are a small mountain range in Cibola and McKinley counties of New Mexico, in the southwestern United States. The highest point in the range is Mount Taylor, at 11,301 ft. The range lies just northeast of the community of Grants, and about 60 miles west of Albuquerque.
Nature • Mountain
San Mateo Mesa
San Mateo Mesa is located in McKinley County, New Mexico, approximately 5 miles northwest of San Mateo. There are two large mesas, called San Mateo Mesa South and San Mateo Mesa North.
Church
Holy Child Church
Holy Child Church is a historic church off I-40 in Tijeras, New Mexico. It was built in 1912 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Protected area
Manzano Mountains State Park
Manzano Mountains State Park is a state park of New Mexico, United States, located 16 miles north of Mountainair on the eastern slope of the Manzano Mountains. The park is popular for camping, bird-watching, hiking, and photography.
Locality
Bluewater Lake State Park
Bluewater Lake State Park is a state park in Prewitt, New Mexico, United States, located in the Zuni Mountains 30 miles west of Grants. The park itself encompasses approximately 3,000 acres, and the lake has a surface area of approximately 1,200 acres.

Day trips

Cibola National Forest – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Cibola National Forest, it's worth seeing attractions such as: San Miguel Church (Socorro), Belen Harvey House Museum (Belen), New Mexico Tech (Socorro).

38 milesSE
Church
San Miguel Church, Socorro
San Miguel de Socorro is the Catholic church in Socorro, New Mexico, built on the ruins of the old Nuestra Señora de Socorro mission. The old mission was built around 1626, but was destroyed in 1680 during the Pueblo Revolt.
48 milesNE
34°39'36"N • 106°46'5"W
Belen Harvey House Museum, Belen
Specialty museum, Museum
37 milesSE
Universities and schools
New Mexico Tech, Socorro
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is a public university in Socorro, New Mexico. It offers over 30 bachelor of science degrees in technology, the sciences, engineering, management, and technical communication, as well as graduate degrees at the masters and doctoral levels.
47 milesSE
Natural attraction, Protected area
Bosque del Apache Wilderness, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Bosque del Apache Wilderness is a designated Wilderness Area on the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in Socorro County, New Mexico. Managed by the U.S.
28 milesS
National park
Withington Wilderness
The Withington Wilderness is a 19,000-acre designated Wilderness area located within the Cibola National Forest in western New Mexico.