In descending order of land area the forest lies in parts of Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Mora, and Los Alamos counties.

It includes the Rio Chama and most of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness (with a small part extending into neighboring Carson National Forest), as well as the northern portion of the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.

The district includes the southern portion of the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.

[7] Santa Fe National Forest near Los Alamos is the location of an orienteering map.

[8] The Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District was established in 1892 as the Pecos River Forest Reserve.