The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public input on a plan to restore and upgrade Sandia Cave, a historic and culturally significant site in the Sandia Mountains.
The proposed improvements aim to protect the landmark from ongoing damage while enhancing safety and access for the growing number of visitors.
The Sandia Cave Improvements Project, led by the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, comes in response to recurring issues with vandalism, safety hazards and environmental degradation.
The cave, accessible via a steep 0.5-mile trail off NM 165, is a federally designated national historic landmark, traditional cultural property and significant cave.
Used by Indigenous communities for thousands of years, Sandia Cave holds spiritual and cultural significance — particularly for the San Felipe Pueblo — and is known for archaeological discoveries dating back more than 10,000 years.
Today, the site faces a new set of issues.
A deteriorating spiral staircase, cracked concrete stairs, a failing retaining wall and flooding in the parking area all contribute to an unsafe and unsustainable visitor experience.
The lack of educational signage has also led to recurring vandalism and graffiti, despite restoration efforts as recently as 2015.
To address these issues, the Forest Service is proposing a phased series of upgrades broken down into 4 components:
- Rebuilding the parking area with improved drainage to prevent seasonal flooding
- Replacing the corroded staircase and installing a bat-friendly cave gate to ensure both visitor safety and wildlife protection
- Stabilizing the access trail to reduce erosion and improve footing
- Adding interpretive signage to educate visitors about the site’s cultural, ecological and geologic significance
The proposed improvements were developed in consultation with San Felipe Pueblo leaders to ensure cultural values are honored throughout the project and will be completed “as funding availability allows”.
The Forest Service officially launched the scoping period on June 2, 2025, as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process.
The agency plans to issue a decision memo in August and begin implementation as early as September 2025.
The public is encouraged to submit comments, as part of the public scoping process, by June 30 through the following channels:
- Online
- Email: sm.fs.r3cibolamail@usda.gov (Subject line: Sandia Cave Improvements Project)
- Mail:
Kenneth Born, District Ranger
Sandia Ranger District
11776 Highway 337
Tijeras, NM 87059 - Phone: Call the Sandia Ranger District Office at (505) 281-3304. Oral comments must be provided during regular business hours, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Contact: Sandra Coambs, sandra.coambs@usda.gov
Printed copies of the proposal and supporting materials are also available at:
- Sandia Ranger District Office, 11776 Highway 337, Tijeras, NM 87059
- Supervisor’s Office, 2113 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Once approved, the Sandia Cave Improvements Project will serve as a model for balancing cultural preservation, environmental protection and public enjoyment of high-use heritage sites.
By involving Tribal partners, scientists and locals, the Forest Service hopes to ensure that the cave remains a place of learning, reflection and respect for generations to come.
A brief introduction video showcasing the importance of the project can be found here, while all details, including project maps and all project documents, can be found on their official website.