Things to do in New Mexico, United States: The Best Forests

June 8, 2021 Jana Sager

With its rich cultural heritage from Native American and Spanish settlers, New Mexico has been both a Spanish colony and a Mexican colony, and still retains a strong individual identity within the United States. The landscape is breathtaking, the food incredible, and there is a thriving cultural scene, all of which makes New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, a great place all year long.
Restaurants in New Mexico

1. U.S. Hill in Carson National Forest

NM
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

U.S. Hill in Carson National Forest

An area about 10 miles from Taos that is fun for family sledding.

2. Sapillo Valley

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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Full of scenic beauty, Sapillo Valley is also home to thousands of migrating hummingbirds.

3. Gila National Forest

Old Little Walnut Rd, Silver City, NM 88061 +1 575-388-8201 http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila/
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5.0 based on 181 reviews

Gila National Forest

Reviewed By GretchenB143 - Phoenix, United States

Whether you are in the Gila National Forest to hike, camp, drive, visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings.... take your time and take it all in. It’s worth more than a quick day trip to really experience the wilderness. There are hiking trails for all skill levels and camping in excellent locations. There is limited to zero cellular service, so if this is important to you, be prepared to plan ahead.

4. Lincoln National Forest

Ruidoso, NM +1 575-434-7200 http://www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln
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4.5 based on 339 reviews

Lincoln National Forest

This vast 1.1 million-acre forest region is comprised of separate recreational sections including Ruidoso Valley, Cloudcroft and Carlsbad, which are all located throughout the southern Rocky Mountains of New Mexico.

Reviewed By 269marykayg - Bastrop, United States

Lincoln National Forest has it all...camp sites, great trails, wonderful views. This is a great place to enjoy Nature in a pristine environment.

5. Carson National Forest

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/fawn-lakes-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72434
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4.5 based on 27 reviews

Carson National Forest

Favorite among campers and four wheel drive vehicles.

6. Pecos Wilderness Area

1474 Rodeo Road, NM 87505 +1 505-438-7840
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4.5 based on 24 reviews

Pecos Wilderness Area

Scenic wilderness area located at the southernmost end of the thousand-mile-long U.S. Rocky Mountains.

7. Santa Fe National Forest

Excellent
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4.5 based on 45 reviews

Santa Fe National Forest

Scenic area located in Northern New Mexico that offers excellent outdoor recreation opportunities in its mountains, rivers and canyons.

Reviewed By lindapF1137CO - Oklahoma City, United States

We were here for a long weekend and the temp was in the 60’s, a little cooler in the mountains-perfect for hiking. We only wanted a short hike so we went to the ski shop near the ranger station and hiked the marked trail. It was easy to follow since the path was cleared but it is pretty steep in parts. We did the waterfall trail and it was about three miles. So beautiful! We stayed in Santa Fe and it took about 35-40 minutes to drive up here, well worth it.

8. Agua Piedra Campground

Forest Service Rd 708, Vadito, NM 87579 http://www.recreation.gov/camping/agua-piedra-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

Agua Piedra Campground

9. Lake Roberts

500-1000 New Mexico Route 35 Trail of Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway, Silver City, NM 88061 +1 575-536-2250 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gila/recarea/
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4.5 based on 21 reviews

Lake Roberts

Reviewed By GretchenB143 - Phoenix, United States

We came to Pino Altos/Silver City area to relax and "get off the grid" so to speak. It's about a 45 minute drive from Pinos Altos through the Gila Wilderness and just simply gorgeous. Great hiking trails, and camping areas as you drive out to Lake Roberts (if you turned veer left instead of right at the fork, you would head out to the Gila Cliff Dwellings). We went out 2 days fishing, and the fishing is wonderful. You can take a boat, fish off the dock, or at various areas around the shoreline. There is no swimming or wading allowed. We picked up our fishing license at the Walmart in Silver City before heading to the lake. The temperature was about 38 degrees when we started, but warmed up quickly and was gorgeous. With things being closed to due to CoVID, make sure that you fill up on gas and have all of the essentials before heading out- there are no services......but take a picnic lunch and stay out all day! Stop by the Arrastra Historic Site just a little ways past the Bear Creek Cabins in Pinos Altos on your way out- it's worth the 10-15 minute detour to see a little of the area's history.

10. Bear Canyon Reservoir Wildlife Area

Bear Canyon Lake Road Turn off NM35, 2.7 miles north of Mimbres, Hanover, NM 88041 http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Bear-Canyon-GAIN-WMA-NMDGF.pdf
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4.0 based on 2 reviews

Bear Canyon Reservoir Wildlife Area

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