carson national forest

The Carson National Forest offers unlimited recreational opportunities in any season. The magnificent mountain scenery and cool summer temperatures lure vacationers to enjoy the peace and quiet, for fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking. Winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Some of the more popular hiking trails in the Carson National Forest are located in Taos Ski Valley. Below you will find trails in Carson National Forest that have printable maps. Click the map icon to download maps.

For more trails and more detailed trail information, visit their website.

Day Hikes

Camino Real Ranger District

The Camino Real Ranger District is managed for many multi-use purposes; hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, camping and personal firewood cutting are among the activities. The District manages many acres of the Carson National Forest. The District has more than 252 miles of trail, offering diverse terrain and dramatic landscapes for the skilled hiker.

TRAIL	DISTANCE	LEVEL	ACTIVITIES	MAP
Devisadero Loop Trail 108	5.1 mile loop	Moderate
Elliott Barker Trail	4.1 miles return	Easy to Intermediate
La Jara Canyon Trail FR#5	2.1 miles return	Easy
Middle Fork Trail 24	12.9 miles return	Moderate
North Boundary Trail 495	12.4 miles return	Difficult
Rio Chiquito Trail #121	5.9 miles return	Intermediate
Rito De La Olla Trail 438	4.6 miles return	Easy
San Leonardo Trail #30	2.8 miles return	Intermediate to Difficult
Serpent Lake Trail 19	6.4 miles return	Moderate
South Boundry Trail #164	20.1 miles return	Easy to Intermediate
Trampas Lakes Trail 31	5.5 miles return	Moderate
Valle De Los Romero Trail 13A	1.2 miles return	Easy to Intermediate
West Fork Santa Barbara Trail 25	12.4 miles return	Moderate

Canjilon Ranger District

The Canjilon Ranger District is located in the beautiful mountains of Northern New Mexico. The elevation ranges from a low of 6,500 feet up to almost 11,000 feet above sea level. Climate and vegetation types vary from high desert to alpine zones. The ranger district contains several hiking trails, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. There are three campgrounds located on the ranger district. The ranger district office is located in the small mountain village of Canjilon which contains a population of approximately 325 residents.

TRAIL	DISTANCE	LEVEL	ACTIVITIES	MAP
Burns Lake Trail	3.9 miles return	Easy to Intermediate
Hart Canyon Trail #293	2.1 miles return	Moderate
Hidden Lake Trail #53	1.2 miles return	Moderate
Joaquin Canyon Trail #47	3.6 miles return	Moderate
Martinez Canyon Trail #49	9.1 miles return	Moderate
Rim Vista Trail #15	2.7 miles return	Moderate
Salazar Trail #14	2.7 miles return	Moderate
Vega Paz Trail #21	0.6 miles return	Easy

Questa Ranger District

The Questa Ranger District is managed for many multi-use purposes; hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, camping and personal firewood cutting are among the activities.

TRAIL	DISTANCE	LEVEL	ACTIVITIES	MAP
Columbine – Twining N.R.T. Trail 64,69	14.2 miles return	Difficult
Columbine Canyon Trail #71	5.3 miles return	Moderate
Gavilan Trail #60	2.4 miles return	Moderate
Goose Creek Trail #65	5.5 miles return	Moderate
Horseshoe Lake/East Fork Trail #56	4.9 miles return	Moderate
Italianos Canyon Trail #59	3.5 miles return	Difficult
Lobo Peak Trail #57	10.7 miles return	Difficult
Long Canyon Trail #63	3.6 miles return	Intermediate to Difficult
Lost Lake Trail #91	4.0 miles return	Intermediate to Difficult
Manzanita Canyon Trail #58	2.1 miles return	Difficult
Middle Fork/West Fork Road Trail #487	2.0 miles return	Most Difficult
Midnight Trail #81	10.8 miles return	Difficult
Placer Fork Trail #72	4.4 miles return	Moderate
Sawmill Park Trail #55	3.6 miles return	Easy to Intermediate
Wheeler Peak Summit Trail #67	2.2 miles return	Difficult
Wheeler Peak Trail #90	7.3 miles return	Intermediate to Difficult
Williams Lake Trail #62	4 miles return	Easy to Intermediate
Yerba Canyon Trail #61	4.0 miles return	Difficult