Most of the Magdalena Mountains are within the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest, and parts are also administered by the Bureau of Land Management. While there are no designated Wilderness areas in the range, the Ryan Hill Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) is sizeable (up to approximately 35,000 acre).
The majority of the Magdalena Mountains fall under the jurisdiction of the Cibola National Forest's Magdalena Ranger District, while a portion is also managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Although there are no officially designated Wilderness areas in the range, the Ryan Hill Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) covers a considerable area (up to approximately 35,000 acres).