Capitan Mountains Wilderness

Capitan Mountains Wilderness is a 35,067 acre Wilderness area located within the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. The area was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System on December 19, 1980 by Public Law 96-550. Located in the Capitan Mountains, this area is recognized as the birthplace of Smokey Bear. There are a number of trails through the wilderness, but access to trailheads is difficult as most are only reachable by four-wheel-drive roads.