Balsam Glade is a great place for you and yours to make your own memories. The surrounding forest and mountains provide a perfect backdrop for photography, flower walks, bird watching, hiking, relaxing, and enjoying nature.

The sheltered area is a replica of a mid-1930s Civilian Conservation Corps design and can accommodate 30 people. There are picnic tables, grills, and bear-proof trash cans for your convenience.

Balsam Glade Picnic Site was named by an early American settler, who mistook the white fir that grows here, for balsam fir, as they are similar in appearance. He called this area “Balsam Glade” for so long that the name stuck.

From 1935 to 1941 the YMCA operated a summer camp for boys here. One young man who attended the camp as a youth later became a counselor for boys at the “Y” camp. He was a fun-loving fellow and gained the title “Ghost of the Sandia’s” for his wild antics, like flying over the campfire on a zip line and scaring the campers. The only evidence of the ‘Y’ camp is two sets of steps that led hundreds of hungry kids into the dining hall and out again to make more memories.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) has a rich history and lasting presence throughout the Sandia’s. In their honor, we ask that you take extra care to “Leave No Trace” when you visit.

Cibola National Forest covers more than 1.6 million acres and includes mountains, grasslands, wilderness, and forests. The name Cibola comes from the Zuni word for their tribal lands, which the Spanish later translated as "buffalo". The forest is home black bears, cougars, elk, and pronghorn. Cibola National Forest offers many recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and skiing. It also has cultural and historical significance, as it contains ancient Native American sites and historic trails.

The National Forest has four ranger districts: Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mount Taylor. In addition, the Cibola has four wilderness areas: Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington, and Apache Kid.