This is one of 8 hotspots in the northern San Mateo Mountains, and should not be confused with the older hotspot, farther north, named Bear Trap Canyon Campground.  

Owing to winter road and campground closures, almost all records for the northern San Mateos are during the 5 months of May through September. Species frequently found here include Common Nighthawk, Common Poorwill, Mexican Whip-poor-will, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Flammulated Owl, Northern Pygmy Owl, Plumbeous Vireo, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglet, Grace’s Warbler, and Red-faced Warbler. American Goshawk has been listed on multiple occasions in the northern San Mateos.

eBird listers will play an important role in documenting species frequency and abundance changes since the Bear Trap Fire of May 2022.

Bear Trap Canyon stretches over 13 miles up the pine and pinyon-juniper-covered western slope of the San Mateo Mountains, running roughly northwest from its confluence with Pigeon Canyon in the south. The canyon, now a popular destination for hikers, campers, and birdwatchers, was named for bear traps that were once used by trappers in the area. The canyon is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, elk, deer, coyotes, and a variety of birds.

Hiking trails include the Bear Trap Canyon Trail, which is a 2.5-mile loop trail that takes hikers through part of the canyon and up to the top of Mount Withington. The Bear Trap Canyon Campground has 4 campsites that do not have water. There is also a picnic area near the campground.

The best time to visit Bear Trap Canyon is during spring or fall when the weather is mild. Not only snow, but monsoon rains make it prudent to check weather conditions before you go.

FR-549, also known as Bear Trap-Withington Road and Old State Highway 52, runs along Bear Trap Canyon and includes two campgrounds, Bear Trap and Hughes Mill, between its intersection with FR-476 and FR-91. 

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.