Project Notice
In April 2026, the Cibola National Forest began project work that will affect visitor use and public access to the Sandia Crest area through fall of 2027.
These projects include:
On April 30, 2026, the Cibola National Forest began to enforce an Area Closure Order that will affect visitor use and public access to the Sandia Crest area through fall of 2027.
The area closure order will be enforced to include the Ellis Trailhead, Sandia Crest Recreation Site, and areas along State Highway NM-536 beyond the 10k Trailhead Parking lot just past mile marker 11.
During this time, the 10k trailhead parking area is the turnaround location for all vehicles traveling up NM-536, and access to the Sandia Crest Recreation Site is not permitted.
You can find the official closure for the Sandia Crest Switchback Project Area 03-03-05-26-02 where it describes the parking areas and trails that the agency has closed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts
Recreation Area Renovation Project
In August 2026, the second of the two planned projects affecting the Crest Area began with the preparation and demolition of the former Sandia Crest House Site. The Area Closure Order implemented on April 30, 2026 remains in place during project work. Updates will be made available as project work continues.
The Sandia Crest Recreation Area Renovation is one of two projects that will be taking place along the Sandia Crest area through fall of 2027. The renovation will take place in two phases and there will be temporary closures of the upper parking area of the Sandia Crest associated with these phases.
The Sandia Crest House historically was a privately owned, commercial building and is what is referred to as a “special use” of National Forest lands. The snack bar, gift shop and retail store that had previously operated out of the Crest House was authorized under a special use permit with the Forest Service. The Crest House has not been open to the public since October 2021, and the last permit authorizing the Sandia Crest House terminated by expiration in December 2021. After a lengthy process, the Crest House became the possession of the United States in 2024.
In August 2025, the Sandia Ranger District initiated the scoping process to solicit comments on its Recreation Improvement Decommission and Demolition Project, which proposed demolition of the Sandia Crest House. On December 15, 2025 the NEPA decision was signed approving demolition of the Crest House to begin summer of 2026.
Within the Crest House footprint, the Sandia Ranger District is looking to create additional observation areas, shade structures, seating features, landscaped areas, interpretative signage, and trail connections. These features would enhance the visitor experience at the Crest.
Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction
As of July 29, 2026, contract crews have completed mechanical thinning on about 110 of the 140 acres of the Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuels Reduction Project, reducing hazardous fuels around the Sandia Crest’s recreation sites and critical infrastructure. Since work began April 30, contractors thinned dense stands and cleared dead and down trees across the treatment area, making it more resistant to catastrophic wildfire. Project work will continue into the fall.
Work accomplished so far:
The Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuels Reduction Project is an effort to protect health and human safety and reduce critical infrastructure at risk to catastrophic wildfire.
Repeated outbreaks of insects and disease on the Sandia Mountains have contributed to a high number of dead trees on the mountain. High fuel-loading around the Crest presents significant risks to critical infrastructure that could be damaged or destroyed in the event of a high-severity wildfire.
The Sandia Crest Communication Site supports telecommunication infrastructure for dozens of users, including emergency response infrastructure and cell phone coverage for the greater Albuquerque Metropolitan Area.
Proactive treatments to improve Forest health improve the safety of critical infrastructure and thus the safety of the people.
To protect public health and safety during mechanical thinning and to allow for needed trail repairs, the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will continue to enforce an area closure order until further notice.
Of note, the La Luz Trail remains open up to the Sandia Peak Tramway, and the Tramway will continue normal operations. However, hikers will not be able to access the Crest Trail or Crest Recreation Area from the La Luz Trail during closures. The Ten-3 Restaurant and Sandia Tramway facilities will not be affected by these closures. In addition, the historic Kiwanis Cabin will not be affected though trails accessing the cabin will be.
Much loved trails and recreation destinations will be impacted, but visitors have an opportunity to explore alternative destinations on the Cibola National Forest until project work can be completed. Visitors should anticipate closures to the highway and trails that lead towards the treatment area and plan alternative destinations accordingly.
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands encompasses 1.9 million acres, four “sky island” ranger districts with elevations up to 11,301ft, four wilderness areas, and administers four National Grasslands. Visitors who are willing to explore alternative destinations on both the Cibola National Forest and elsewhere on public lands across New Mexico are sure to be enchanted by what they may find.
Regional High-Elevation Alternatives (outside Sandia Ranger District)
These areas are ideal for visitors seeking cooler temperatures and high-elevation experiences like the Sandia Crest:
Sandia Mountains – Eastside Alternatives
These sites offer cooler summer temperatures and forested trails and picnic areas on the eastside of the Sandia Mountains below the closure area, but may be congested due to displacement of Crest-area visitors:
Westside / Foothills
The following areas provide extensive hiking, biking, and equestrian opportunities without entering the Crest area or NM-536 corridor:
Other Alternatives (northside of Sandia Mountains, Manzanita Mountains)
These sites offer cooler summer temperatures and forested trails and picnic areas on the northside of the Sandia Mountains and within the Manzanita Mountains, which do not rely on NM-536 access:
Scenic Drives
For scenic drives much like NM-536, visitors may consider taking Highway 14 to the charming town of Madrid or continue the journey into Santa Fe.
Sandia Crest Recreation Area Renovation - Phase 2
The Sandia Ranger District plans to implement renovations to the Sandia Crest Recreation Complex in the summer of 2027. This project will complement the August 2026 Sandia Crest House Demolition and offer enhanced visitor amenities.
Originally constructed in the 1960s, the site was last updated in the 1990s. The site is comprised of a 3-level parking area, multiple concrete ramps, stairways and observation decks, and access to multiple trails including the Crest Trail that stretches the length of the Sandia Mountains, a connector trail for the popular La Luz trail, an interpretive trail, and a trail to access the historical Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Kiwanis Cabin and the Sandia Peak Tramway.
The structures at the site over time have deteriorated due to extreme weather conditions, high elevation, and high visitor use.
Renovation work will include repaving and restriping parking areas; new walkways, stairways, gates, railings, benches, vault toilets and amenities; as well as an additional observation deck, additional picnic areas, updates to accessibility features, and improved traffic and pedestrian flow. $3.6M in funding was received through the Great American Outdoors Act for this project at the Forest’s most popular recreation area.
Sandia Ranger District: 11776 Hwy. 337, Tijeras, NM 87059 (505-281-3304)