| The Santa Fe National Forest covers 1.6 million acres in the heart of north central New Mexico. Within the Santa Fe National Forest's boundaries are meadows, miles of trees, and a dormant volcano with a 15-mile wide crater (Valles Caldera National Preserve).Wilderness areas within the Santa Fe National Forest include Pecos, San Pedro Parks, Dome, and the Chama River Canyon. Together these areas contain a rich, diverse resource, including 13,000-foot alpine peaks, large meadows, streams, rivers, and lakes, canyons, and a broad range of wildlife, cultural resources, and recreation opportunities.In the Santa Fe National Forest, visitors will find the headwaters of the Pecos Jemez, and Gallinas Rivers, mountain streams, lakes and trout fishing. The Rio Chama, East Fork of the Jemez, and Pecos River are designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. Scenic drives include State Highways 4, 126, and 96 in the Jemez Mountains; State Highway 63 up the Pecos River to Cowles; Gallinas Canyon west of Las Vegas; or up to the Santa Fe Ski Area out of Santa Fe. Cultural attractions of this area include Indian Pueblos that can be visited, Indian ruins, and Spanish missions.Recreational opportunities within the Santa Fe National Forest include camping, hiking, horseback riding, pack trips, river rafting, lake or stream trout fishing, and elk, deer, or turkey hunting. Winter activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. |
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