New Canyon Campground

The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands has issued a road and area closure order (Order 03-03-04-26-16) for National Forest Road (NFR) 245, starting at the forest boundary to Capilla Peak Lookout to include New Canyon and Capilla Peak Campground Areas as depicted on the attached map.

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during the demolition and removal of decommissioned University of New Mexico observatory buildings located on top of Capilla Peak. National Forest Road (NFR) 245 is a narrow road with few pullouts, requiring closure to provide safe ingress and egress of heavy equipment removing material from the site. 

This order shall be in effect from July 13, 2026, at 6:00 AM through October 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM, unless rescinded.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST

 MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICT

CAPILLA TEMPORARY ROAD and AREA CLOSURE

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within all National Forest System lands as described in this Order (the “Road Closure”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Mountainair Ranger District, Cibola National Forest, Torrance County, New Mexico.

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 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.

3. Landowners accessing their private property. 

DESCRIBED ROAD/AREA

National Forest Road 245 starting at the forest boundary gate up to Capilla Peak Lookout to include New Canyon and Capilla Peak Campground Area.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety during the demolition and removal of decommissioned building sites located on top of Capilla Peak. National Forest Road (NFR) 245 is a narrow road with few pullouts, requiring closure to provide safe ingress and egress of heavy equipment removing material from the site. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from July 13, 2026, at 6:00 AM through October 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM, unless rescinded.
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/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 Mountainair Ranger District in Mountainair, NM, (505) 847-2990 for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area, Road or Trail.