Valdito, NM – Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort remains open and some of the resort’s most popular summer activities continue while U.S. Forest Service officials are closing the surrounding Carson National Forest due to the dry conditions and resulting fire danger throughout New Mexico.
Carson National Forest entered Stage 3 Fire Restrictions Thursday morning, which effectively closes the forest and prohibits all activities, including hiking, biking, off-roading and horseback riding on Carson National Forest lands.
Located just 20 miles southeast of Taos, Sipapu is surrounded by Carson National Forest. However, in spite of the closure, many activities are still available to resort guests, said general manager John Paul Bradley.
“We at Sipapu are fortunate because there are still so many family-friendly activities to enjoy and places to explore at or near our resort,” said Bradley.
While Carson National Forest’s closure is in effect until further notice, Bradley added that he is optimistic it will not last long.
“In the past, the Forest Service typically lifts these types of bans once the area receives rain,” he said. “We are just now entering into our monsoon season, so remain hopeful that this closure will be a very temporary one.”
Known for its location in one of the finest trout fishing regions in the state, the Rio Pueblo flowing through the heart of the resort, along with Sipapu’s stocked private pond, will continue to be available for fishing. Likewise, while most of the resort’s 20-hole disc golf course resides in Carson National Forest, several holes are on private property and may be used during the closure. In addition, guests can visit the nearby Two Gray Hares and Picuris Pueblo disc golf courses, located just minutes from Sipapu.
Guests can still access the trails on resort property. In addition, the Taos Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages over 650,000 acres throughout northern New Mexico; these areas continue to be open to the public. Fishing, off-roading, biking, hiking, rafting, camping and more are all available on the nearby BLM lands. Nearby State Parks continue to be open as well.
Although camping will be prohibited in Carson National Forest, Sipapu’s campground remains open; tent sites cost $9 per night, and RV sites start at $14. All of Sipapu’s slopeside lodging remains unaffected by the closure.
Sipapu’s newest outdoor patio restaurant, Paradise Riverside Bar and Grill, will continue to be open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., where all wells and drafts are reduced to $3.
The resort’s upcoming Fourth of July events will continue as planned. This evening, Paradise will continue its weekly Open Mic Nights, a forum for performing songwriters of all levels of ability. Performers will have 45 minutes each to make the Paradise stage their own. This Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3, the resort will host its 37th annual arts and crafts fair. Featuring local and regional artists, the event is free to the public. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
This Saturday evening, local artist and musician Chris Morel will perform at Paradise from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. A featured musician at the upcoming Music on the Rocks music festival happening July 30, Morel will play his “flat top rockin’ country” –style music, which will include a variety of cover tunes that have made Taosenos dance for years. Morel will perform a repeat performance at Paradise again on July 9.
All other resort events will continue as planned, although Thursday’s weekly random disc golf doubles will move to Two Gray Hares Disc Golf Course.