Lake McClellan Campground

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety during the Youth Deer Hunt on National Forest System (NFS) lands, in the Black Kettle Ranger District, Cibola National Forest & Grasslands in effect from December 11, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. through December 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., unless rescinded

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

Cibola National Forest & Grasslands

Black Kettle Ranger District

Temporary Area Closure

 

PROHIBITIONS

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

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area.  36 C.F.R. § 261.53(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 an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA

With the exceptions listed below, the Described Area includes all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the McClellan Creek National Grassland, commencing at Texas Farm to Market Road 2477E at the property’s southeast corner, then following north along Texas Farm to Market Road 2477E for 0.5. mile, then following northeast for 0.75 miles along an unnamed ranch road, then following north for 0.33 mile to the property’s northeast corner, then following west 0.4mile, then following southwest for 0.8 mile, then following west for 1 mile to the property’s northwest corner, then following along the property’s west boundary for 1.25 miles to the property’s southwest corner, then following east for 0.70 mile, then following northeast for 1 mile, back to the point of beginning at the property’s southeast corner on Texas Farm to Market Road 2477E.

NOTE: The areas know as Lake McClellan, McDowell and East Bluff #1 campgrounds area exempt from this Order and are open to public access, as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.  The exempt area is defined as the area within the following boundaries:  Texas Farm to Market Road 2477E is the north and east boundary starting at the intersection of National Forest System Road (NFSR) B553 and Texas Farm to Market Road 2477E.  The west boundary is NFSR B552 to B55CA and B552CAA.  The southern boundary is NFSR B553/B553B. The remaining boundaries of the exempt area are the high watermark of Lake McClellan associated with each campground. Described and exempt areas are depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety during the Youth Deer Hunt. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from December 11, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. through December 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., unless rescinded, whichever comes first.
2. A map identifying the Described Area/Roads/Trails 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/alerts/alerts-notices.
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 Black Kettle Ranger District in 580-497-2143, and Cibola National Forest & Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in 505-346-3900, for more information about this Order. 
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.