Santa Fe National Forest Closes Several Recreation Sites
Campgrounds, boating sites and picnic areas across multiple ranger districts shut for the fall and winter seasons.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Camping
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The Santa Fe National Forest has closed several recreation sites for the season, with closures staggered by ranger district from Oct. 18 through Nov. 30. Affected sites include campgrounds, boating take-out points and picnic areas across the Coyote, Española, Cuba, Jemez and Pecos-Las Vegas districts.
Why it matters
Seasonal closures protect visitors and facilities from freezing temperatures, snow and icy road conditions, and allow water systems to be winterized. Residents of New Mexico planning late-season trips should check site status before heading out.
Ten specific sites are listed with closure dates between Oct. 18 and Dec. 31, drawn from the forest's full recreation site inventory. The schedule does not address when each site will reopen for the following season.
The players
Santa Fe National Forest
A federally managed national forest in north-central New Mexico that oversees extensive recreation areas, campgrounds and trails across several ranger districts.
The details
Recreation sites close on a district-by-district schedule, including Black Canyon Campground on Oct. 18, Iron Gate and Johnson Mesa campgrounds on Nov. 1, and Jemez Falls and Paliza sites on Nov. 15. Dispersed camping may remain available unless otherwise posted.
Timeline
Oct. 18: Black Canyon Campground closed
Oct. 20: Pecos-Las Vegas Field Tract and Jacks Creek campgrounds closed
Nov. 1: Iron Gate and Johnson Mesa campgrounds closed
Nov. 9: Clear Creek Group Campground closes
Nov. 15: Jemez and Pecos-Las Vegas sites close
Seasonal Patterns
The staggered closures follow the Forest Service's recurring annual schedule for high-elevation sites, which typically shut as freezing weather and snow arrive in late autumn. The fall timing mirrors the closure pattern used in prior seasons across New Mexico's national forests.
Visitors heading into the mountains this fall should confirm which sites remain open before departing, since closures begin as early as Oct. 18. Dispersed camping may still be an option in some areas, but posted notices take precedence over general rules.
The takeaway
Checking a forest's closure schedule before a late-season trip can save a wasted drive to a campground that is already shut for the winter. Plan backup options in advance if you are heading into higher-elevation areas.
Further reading
Find more on Camping for planning trips around seasonal site closures in New Mexico.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Alamos Daily Post.
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