Park
Carson National Forest
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Tonight low
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Campgrounds
60
Trails
60
Next 24 hours
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Carson National Forest
New-Mexico · Upper Pecos watershed
About this park
Carson National Forest
Carson National Forest is a beautiful natural area located in the state of New Mexico. It offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its diverse landscape, unique flora and fauna, and breathtaking vistas.
There are several good reasons to visit Carson National Forest, including its numerous hiking and biking trails. Visitors can explore the forest's mountains, streams, and meadows while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The forest also provides ample opportunities for camping, fishing, and hunting.
Some of the specific points of interest in Carson National Forest include Wheeler Peak, which is the tallest mountain in New Mexico, the Taos Ski Valley, and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. There are also several historic sites within the forest, including abandoned mines and old logging camps.
Interesting facts about the area include that Carson National Forest was established in 1908 as one of the first national forests in the United States. It covers over 1.5 million acres and is home to over 400 species of wildlife.
The best time of year to visit Carson National Forest is during the summer and fall months. The weather is mild, and the forest is alive with wildflowers, wildlife, and colorful foliage. Winter is also a popular time to visit for skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Carson National Forest is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of New Mexico.
There are several good reasons to visit Carson National Forest, including its numerous hiking and biking trails. Visitors can explore the forest's mountains, streams, and meadows while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The forest also provides ample opportunities for camping, fishing, and hunting.
Some of the specific points of interest in Carson National Forest include Wheeler Peak, which is the tallest mountain in New Mexico, the Taos Ski Valley, and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. There are also several historic sites within the forest, including abandoned mines and old logging camps.
Interesting facts about the area include that Carson National Forest was established in 1908 as one of the first national forests in the United States. It covers over 1.5 million acres and is home to over 400 species of wildlife.
The best time of year to visit Carson National Forest is during the summer and fall months. The weather is mild, and the forest is alive with wildflowers, wildlife, and colorful foliage. Winter is also a popular time to visit for skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Carson National Forest is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of New Mexico.
StateNew-Mexico
WatershedUpper Pecos
Latitude35.9840°
Longitude-105.5575°
In the park
Streamflow in Carson National Forest
Live USGS discharge at streamgauges inside the park boundary.
In the park
Snowpack in Carson National Forest
Current snow depth at SNOTEL stations inside the park boundary.
In the park
Trails in Carson National Forest
Named trails whose route falls inside the park.
4wd
2.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Agua Piedra Trail (19a)
7.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Angostura Trail (493)
2.9 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Bear Mountain Trail (28)
0.8 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Beaver Road
0.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Beep Beep
0.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Big Foot
2.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Bull Creek Trail (85)
6.1 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Butterfly
0.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Camposanto Trail
0.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Cdt
0.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Centennial Trail (100)
8.9 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Columbine Creek Trail #71
4.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Columbine-Twining National Recreation Trail
14.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Comales Cutoff Trail (22a)
1.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Comales Trail (22)
11.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Drake Canyon (165)
4.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Echo Amphitheater Trail
0.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Elephant Rock Trail
6.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Elliot Barker
5.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
F R 441
10.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Fawn Lakes Road
0.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Fetch
0.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Fr 1914
2.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Fr 1916
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Gamble Chutes
0.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Ghost Ranch Trails
3.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Goose Lake Road
7.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Greenie Peak Road
1.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Horseshoe / North Fork Lakes Trail (36a)
2.8 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Jimmy Drop
0.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Jip & Josh Chutes
0.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Kitchen Mesa Trail
1.9 mi · Hiking, Running
La Junta Road
26.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Lake Fork Trail (82)
4.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Lobo Peak Trail #57
12.2 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Long Canyon Trail #63
2.7 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Mogote Road
2.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Moly Mine Road
0.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Old Spanish Trail
45.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Osha Canyon Trail (20)
5.8 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Out Of Service
15.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Palo Flechado 1a
1.6 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Pioneer Road
0.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline Clearing
0.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline Clearing
0.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline Clearing
0.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline Clearing
1.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline Clearing
0.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline Clearing
0.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline Clearing
2.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline Clearing
1.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Placer Fork Trail #72
4.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Reidi's Run
0.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Rubezahl
1.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Serpent Lake Trail (19)
6.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Valencia #11 Road
0.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Wheeler Peak Trail #90 (Horse Bypass)
0.6 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Willow Fork Trail #104
2.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Wormwood
0.6 mi · Hiking, Running
In the park
Camping in Carson National Forest
Campgrounds inside the park, with today's conditions score.
Detailed forecast
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Hourly detail
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
Loading hourly forecast…
Deep dive
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
Long-term outlook
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Loading 15-day outlook…
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Carson National Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
FAQ
About Carson National Forest
What can I do at Carson National Forest?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Carson National Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Land designation
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.