About
LocationNM
RegionMora County
Managed byUS Forest Service
SizeLarge — multiple days
Acres221,826 acres

The Pecos Wilderness is a protected wilderness area within the Santa Fe National Forest and Carson National Forest. The Pecos Wilderness lies within the Camino Real Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, and the Pecos Ranger District and Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. The Pecos Wilderness includes the southernmost extension of the Rocky Mountains in the sub-range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of north central New Mexico. One trail head for the wilderness is only 15 miles by road from Santa Fe, the state capital. Covering an area of 223,667 acres it is the second largest wilderness in the state after the Gila Wilderness. An area of fewer than 200,000 acres was given wilderness protection by Congress in 1964. Congress protected an additional 55,000 acres in 1980. The Wilderness boasts one of the highest concentrations of peaks exceeding 12,000 feet in elevation in New Mexico, including Santa Fe Baldy, 12,622 feet, the highest point in Santa Fe County, and South Truchas Peak, 13,102 feet, the second highest peak in the state. U.S. Wilderness Areas do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles, including bicycles. Camping and fishing are allowed with proper permit, but no roads, buildings, logging or mining are permitted. Wilderness areas within National Forests and Bureau of Land Management areas allow hunting in season.

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