Bear Trap Campground

The Cibola National Forest has issued a new order (03-03-03-26-01) for the continued closure of Bear Trap Campground on the Magdalena Ranger District. 

Bear Trap Campground will continue to remain closed. This Order shall be in effect from January 1, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. through December 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. unless rescinded. 

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety from post-Bear Trap Fire flooding area. Bear Trap Campground suffered significant damage during and after the fire, bathrooms are currently not functional and unsanitary. Road going into Bear Trap Campground is extremely rough and in poor condition. Flash flooding events are still a potential threat within this area. 

This order supersedes the previous 03-03-03-24-11 order that expires on December 31, 2025.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service

Cibola National Forest & National Grassland

Magdalena Ranger District

Bear Trap Campground Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following are prohibited in/on the National Forest System (NFS) areas and roads in the Magdalena Ranger District, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area/Road”):

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e),
2. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROAD

The following areas are closed to entry as shown on Exhibit A: Beartrap Campground located within T4S R7W Sections 12, North of Eagle Spring, South of Monica Saddle, West of Beartrap Spring, East of FR 549.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety from post-Bear Trap Fire flooding area. Bear Trap Campground suffered significant damage during and after the fire, bathrooms are currently not functional and unsanitary. Road going into Bear Trap Campground is extremely rough and in poor condition. Flash flooding events are still a potential threat within this area. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from January 1, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. through December 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.

4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C.

   §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

5. Contact the Magdalena Ranger District in Magdalena, NM, (575) 854-2281, and Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Albuquerque, NM, (505) 346-3900, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in/on the same Described Area.