The
Pecos Wilderness is a protected
wilderness area within the
Santa Fe National Forest and
Carson National Forest. The Pecos Wilderness lies within the Camino Real Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, and the Pecos Ranger District and Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. The Pecos Wilderness includes the southernmost extension of the
Rocky Mountains in the sub-range of the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains of north central
New Mexico. One trail head for the wilderness is only 15 miles by road from
Santa Fe, the state capital. Covering an area of (350 sq mi) it is the second largest wilderness in the state after the
Gila Wilderness. An area of less than was given wilderness protection by Congress in 1964. Congress protected an additional in 1980. The Wilderness boasts one of the highest concentrations of peaks exceeding in elevation in
New Mexico, including
Santa Fe Baldy, , the highest point in
Santa Fe County, and
South Truchas Peak, , the second highest peak in the state.