Updated forest order protects public access to public lands; conserves resources
Silver City, NM, Apr. 24, 2025— The Gila National Forest has updated its forest order limiting length of stay on the entire forest to 14 days out of any 30 consecutive days. The purpose of the order is to protect natural resources from degradation due to long-term use and to maximize the availability of camping areas for all recreational visitors. Limiting the length of stay to 14 days on the Gila National Forest allows other visitors opportunities for use.
"Long term use of campsites harms wildlife habitats and watersheds by compacting soils, which damages the roots of plants and contribute to lost vegetation. Soil erosion and exposed human waste pollutes local waterways," said Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes. "This order provides for periods of rest, allowing soils and vegetation to recover between uses. It also provides management consistency between forests, which helps visitors know what to expect."
The order is in effect from April 21, 2025 through April 20, 2027 and includes all National Forest System lands administered by the Gila National Forest, including those identified as Apache National Forest within New Mexico. The new order replaces the previous version that would have expired next month. Given that through-hiking on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) requires more than 14 days within a consecutive 30-day period, an exemption is provided for CDNST through-hikers.
The new forest order and exemption letter for CDNST through-hikers can be found on the Gila National Forest website at Gila National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov). For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
