Карсон ұлттық орманы: Жаңа Мексиканың табиғаты

National forest in New Mexico, United States

Carson National Forest is a national forest in northern New Mexico, United States. It encompasses 6,070 square kilometers (1.5 million acres) and is administered by the United States Forest Service. The Forest Service's "mixed use" policy allows for its use for recreation, grazing, and resource extraction.

The forest is disjunct with four separate areas managed by six ranger districts. On the east side in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are two districts that are separated by the Taos Pueblo. The west side of the forest has three are conjoined districts in the San Juan Mountains, sandwiched between the Santa Fe and Rio Grande national forests, and another in the San Juan Basin. The forest is located mainly in Rio Arriba (63.4% of acreage) and Taos (34.65%) counties, but smaller areas extend eastward into western Mora and Colfax counties. Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico at 13161 feet (4011 m), is located in the National Forest.

Two sections of rivers in the forest are included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Five miles of the Rio Grande River and 3.25 miles of the Red River were designated as part of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968. Both are managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. The forest's 2021 land management plan identifies 51 river segments, totaling approximately 170 miles, as eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Big game animals roam this forest. They include mule deer, elk, pronghorn, black bears, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, cougars, and bighorn sheep. There are also many species of smaller mammals and songbirds. Forest personnel work closely with the State Game and Fish Department to provide the best wildlife habitat possible. Carson has four hundred miles of sparkling clean mountain streams and numerous lakes. Many of them are stocked with native trout by the Game and Fish Department.

The forest receives up to one million annual visitors, mainly for recreation purposes. Activities include hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, downhill and cross country skiing, wildlife viewing, scenic touring, off highway vehicle riding, and rock climbing. See El Rito Crags for rock climbing details. There are approximately 600 miles of hiking trails, 85 miles of motorized trails, and 1,000 miles of forest roads.

The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is both a New Mexico Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway. It is an 84 mile loop that goes through the forest's Camino Real and Questa ranger districts and nearby towns, including Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire. A portion of the 56 mile High Road to Taos, another state designated scenic byway, goes through the forest's Camino Real Ranger District. Heading north from Santa Fe, the byway travels through the forest on State Road 75 after Vadito, New Mexico, then goes through the Sipapu area before turning onto State Road 518. The byway leaves the forest before reaching Talpa, New Mexico.