Carson National Forest, National forest in northern New Mexico, United States

Carson National Forest covers mountainous terrain in northern New Mexico with elevations ranging from 6,000 to over 13,000 feet (1,829 to 3,962 meters). The landscape combines peaks, river valleys, and coniferous forests that support diverse ecosystems throughout the region.

The forest was established in 1908 by consolidating the Taos National Forest with portions of the Jemez National Forest, incorporating lands from earlier Spanish and American territorial claims.

The forest surrounds Taos Pueblo land: the Sangre de Cristo districts are split by the pueblo's territory, and pueblo members use forest areas for ceremonies and gathering. The Pot Creek Cultural Site preserves adobe dwelling ruins left by Ancestral Pueblo people. The forest is named for frontiersman Kit Carson.

Carson National Forest has about 600 miles of hiking trails, plus 85 miles of motorized trails and 1,000 miles of forest roads. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway forms an 84-mile loop through the Camino Real and Questa districts, passing Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. Four resorts hold permits for skiing and mountain biking on forest land, among them Taos Ski Valley and Sipapu.

Blue Lake, held sacred by the Taos Pueblo, was returned to the tribe in 1970 after decades of separation from the forest lands. This return marked one of the few times the federal government formally returned territory to a Native American nation.