Carson National Forest

Hispanic arts and lifestyle are showcased at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. In 2000, the center opened to offer visual, literary and media arts displays.

The Camino Real Ranger District is one of seven ranger districts in the Carson National Forest.

The Cruces Basin Wilderness covers 18,902 acres of the Carson National Forest, ranging from 8,600 to 10,900 feet in elevation.

The El Rito Ranger District is one of seven ranger districts in the Carson National Forest. El Rito is mostly a ranching community with numerous artists living within the area.

The Jicarilla Ranger District is one of seven ranger districts in the Carson National Forest, administered from Blanco. This isolated region features high mesas and ponderosa pine.

The 20,506-acre Latir Peak Wilderness is part of Carson National Forest, with three peaks over 12,500 feet.

The Questa Ranger District is one of seven ranger districts in the Carson National Forest. Recreational opportunities include hunting, stream and lake fishing, rafting, camping, hiking, mountain biking, four-wheeling, motorcycling, sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and down hill and cross country skiing.

The Red River Ski Area has 38 runs, a peak elevation of 10,350 feet and a base elevation of 8,750 feet.

Located in Carson National Forest, Sipapu Ski Area has 19 runs and a peak elevation of 9,100 feet.

The Tres Piedras Ranger District is one of seven ranger districts in the Carson National Forest. This high plateau land, ranges from 8,000 to nearly 11,000 feet. Tres Piedras and the surrounding areas offer hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, rafting, skiing, and snowmobiling.

Valle Vidal is a 100,000 acre segment of Carson National Forest, home to about 17,000 elk.

The highest point in New Mexico is the summit of Wheeler Peak, at 13,161 feet. The mountain is next to Moreno Valley near Angel Fire in the Carson National Forest, in the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. The area is home to a variety of wildlife and visitors may be lucky enough to see Marmots, pikas, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and golden eagles. Hiking is one of the most popular activities with several trails, most of which range between 4 and 8 miles in length.

Due to the elevation, Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area enjoys moderate summer temperatures and cold winters with temperatures which regularly fall below freezing. Most visitors come here during the summer months, which are warm but also a little wet. July and August are the rainy months so be sure to bring a rain jacket to deal with passing showers.