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Gila National Forest

Cannabis Possession Prohibited

Order 03-00-00-21-002 prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting a cannabis plant, any part of a cannabis plant, or any substance derived from a cannabis plant within the Southwestern Region National Forests in the State of New Mexico and the National Grasslands in the states of Texas and…

Quemado Lake Area/Trail Closure - Harmful Algal Blooms

The Gila National Forest has issued a public health and safety area closure of Quemado Lake due to a harmful algal bloom. The area closure will remain in effect until December 31, 2026 at 6 a.m., or until NMED advises that the lake is safe for public use.

Silver City Ranger District and Supervisor's Office Phones Down

Phones at the Silver City Ranger District and Supervisor's Office are down as of July 22, 2026. This alert will be removed once the phones are back in working order.

Overview

Gila National Forest is a 3.3 million-acre forest in southwestern New Mexico, home to the world's first designated wilderness area—the Gila Wilderness (established 1924). The forest is currently open with some localized restrictions. Key current conditions: Quemado Lake and nearby recreation areas remain closed due to harmful algal blooms detected in fall 2025. The forest is conducting prescribed fire operations through spring 2026 as weather permits. The 2025 wildfire season saw significant activity including the Trout Fire (discovered June 12) and Goose Fire, both of which required area closures and Highway 15 restrictions through summer, though most of these closures have been lifted as suppression repair continues. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions may be in effect depending on conditions. The forest encompasses three major wilderness areas: the 559,688-acre Gila Wilderness, the 202,016-acre Aldo Leopold Wilderness, and the 29,304-acre Blue Range Wilderness. Popular destinations include the Catwalk recreation area, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (NPS-managed), and Cosmic Campground—North America's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on National Forest lands. Always check current alerts for fire restrictions, area closures, and road conditions before your visit, as conditions change frequently during fire season.

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