Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area
The Fort Stanton - Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA) was established in 2009 to protect, conserve, and enhance the unique and nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational subterranean cave resources of the Fort Stanton - Snowy River Cave system. The NCA was once known as the Fort Stanton Military Reservation. In 1855, the U.S. Army established Fort Stanton as an Infantry and Cavalry post in the east-central New Mexico Territory to protect settlers in the region. Within the NCA is Fort Stanton Cave. At over 44 miles, it is the second longest cave in New Mexico, the 9th longest cave in the U.S., the 40th longest in the world, and the largest cave managed by the BLM. Snowy River is a significant passage within Fort Stanton Cave, and is the longest cave formation in the world. Ongoing exploration continues, and previously unknown passages have been identified and mapped, without reaching the end.
Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)
Trails do not have accessibility features or improvements and follow natural contours with a native soil surface. Visitors must be able to walk, bike, and/or ride on horseback for several miles up or downhill, across loose and rocky terrain, while ducking under trees when needed on narrow trails.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Fees
Facilities
-
Trails
- Fort Stanton NCA has 73 miles of sustainable horseback, mountain biking, and hiking trails that wind through open meadows and canyons. Trails are marked with flexible fiberglass markers with the trail name, or an arrow attached to the marker.
- Cross-country horse and foot travel is allowed. Mountain bikes are strongly encouraged to stay on established trails to protect the rider as well as the landscape. The trails offer great views of the surrounding Sacramento and Capitan Mountains.
Nearby Amenities
-
This nearest location to acquire food and gas is 6.5 miles away in Capitan via NM-220 and US-380 W/Billy the Kid Trail.
Season/Hours
-
Surface: Open year-round
SPECIAL RULES
-
Vehicles are limited to the 22 miles of designated roads within the NCA which will be marked with signs stating open or closed.
- The New Mexico State Director of the BLM has determined that caves with significant bat populations are special areas requiring protection. This is based on the potential risk of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) infection to those bat populations.
-
Therefore, Special Recreation Permits (SRP) will be required for all activities in caves with significant bat roosts.
-
In an effort to limit the introduction of WNS to these caves by humans, the BLM will issue a limited number of SRPs to cave researchers who are subject to verified USFWS decontamination procedures.
-
BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS
Wildlife in Area
-
Red-tailed hawk
-
Bats
-
Cottontails
-
Mountain lions
-
Rattlesnakes
-
Great-horned owls
Phone
Activities
Addresses
Geographic Coordinates
Directions
From the intersection of NM 246 and US 380 in Capitan, NM, drive east on US 380 for 4.3 miles to NM 220, which will be on the right. From the west end of Lincoln, NM, drive west 7.75 miles to NM 220, which will be on the left. Drive south 0.9 for miles to the Rob Jaggers Campground, where maps and an information kiosk are available. Historic Fort Stanton is approximately 1.5 miles further south on NM 220. On the grounds of Fort Stanton, the State of New Mexico operates a museum with information about the Fort and the Fort Stanton - Snowy River Cave NCA.
Fees
Yes