Cibola National Forest Magdalena Ranger District Magdalena Ranger District is comprised of four separate and distinct mountain ranges in southwest New Mexico. They are the Datil, Bear, San Mateo, and Magdalena mountains and total nearly 800,000 acres of national forest land. Elevations range from 10,700 feet on South Baldy in the Magdalenas to under 6,000 feet in the southern portion of the San Mateos. This large land area with varying elevaltions contains many different vegetation zones and settings for a wide variety of uses and activities.
Water is scarce and yet a diverse selection of wildlife is present.
Roads and trails provide reasonable access to most areas year-round, with snow hampering access in the upper elevations during winter and early spring. Game animals include blue, Gambel's, and Mearn's quail, Abert's squirrel, Coue's whitetail deer, mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, black bear, bobcat, cougar, Merriam's turkey, pronghorn antelope, and javelina. Non-game species include cottontail rabbits, blacktail jackrabbits, prairie dogs, coyotes, and a multitude of small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Raptors range from the small Kestrel falcon to the majestic golden eagle. This list is not all-inclusive.