Columbine-Hondo Wilderness

Columbine-Hondo Wilderness is a 44,517-acre federally protected wilderness area in New Mexico managed by the Forest Service. The landscape is primitive backcountry terrain where no roads, motors, or mechanized travel are permitted—a true non-motorized refuge for those seeking solitude and self-reliance in the backcountry.

Hiking and backpacking are the primary ways to explore this wilderness. The area offers genuine remoteness and the opportunity to travel through undeveloped terrain far from vehicle access. Visitors can expect a backcountry experience defined by quiet, minimal infrastructure, and the freedom of foot travel through protected land.

Wilderness rules are straightforward but binding: pack out everything you pack in, camp and travel with Leave No Trace principles in mind, and rely entirely on foot power. There are no developed facilities, marked trailheads, or maintained infrastructure—you navigate by map and compass (or GPS) and camp in designated or appropriate dispersed sites. Access typically begins from surrounding National Forest land, so plan your approach route carefully. Summer and early fall offer the most reliable conditions, though weather and snow can affect higher elevations and shoulder seasons.