Carlito Springs is located on the southeast face of the Sandia Mountains near the village of Tijeras. It encompasses 179 acres and ranges in elevation from 6,300 feet to 7,000 feet. It has now also been named to the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places.

This property borders the Cibola National Forest to the north and northwest and private property on all other sides. Bernalillo County purchased the initial 177 acres in 2000 and later acquired an adjoining two-acre tract in 2008 that includes its namesake spring.

The State Cultural Properties Review Committee approved listing Whitcomb (Carlito) Springs on the state register of cultural properties and the Department of the Interior approved listing on the National Register. The listing provides formal recognition of the property’s historic and cultural resources, and encourages preservation through benefits and incentives.

The property qualified as a historic district worthy of preservation because of its significance in the fields of outdoor recreation and landscape architecture.

Carlito Springs is named for the spring that flows from exposed bedrock in the north-central portion of the property. This spring once provided water to a residence and several cabins and continues to feed several ponds and a lush riparian environment that nourishes ornamental gardens and an orchard. This spring water also provides critical habitat for many species of birds and animals, including black bears, mountain lions, badgers, and mule deer.

Carlito Springs Open Space remains closed to the public as Phase II of the rehabilitation project moves forward at the property. The timeline for this phase of construction has a targeted re-opening of the property in the spring and summer of 2022.