SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife, in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announces temporary weekday closures of the Bear Canyon Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Mimbres, N.M., beginning Oct. 5.
The closures are required to ensure public safety while crews operate heavy equipment on an advanced mitigation project that temporarily captures and retains post-wildfire sediment in the watershed.
To minimize disruption for recreational visitors, closures will apply during weekdays only:
Monday – Thursday: CLOSED to all public access.
Friday – Sunday: OPEN for regular recreational use.
The closure is expected to remain in effect through the end of the year, with regular public access projected to resume in January 2027.
Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and observe all posted closure signs and safety restrictions while work is underway. For more information about activities on all wildlife management areas, please visit the Department's website.
