Top Things to do in New Mexico
What to do and see in New Mexico, United States: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
With its rich cultural heritage from Native American and Spanish settlers, New Mexico has been both a Spanish colony and a Mexican colony, and still retains a strong individual identity within the United States. The landscape is breathtaking, the food incredible, and there is a thriving cultural scene, all of which makes New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, a great place all year long.
Restaurants in New Mexico
1. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 525 reviews
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to provide "a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife" and to develop wintering grounds for greater sandhill cranes, which were then endangered.Located on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert, the 57,331-acre refuge straddles the Rio Grande approximately twenty miles south of Socorro, New Mexico. The heart of the refuge is 8,000 acres of floodplain where the waters of the Rio Grande have been diverted to create extensive wetlands and agricultural lands. The rest of the refuge is made up of arid foothills and mesas, which rise to the Chupadera Mountains to the west and San Pascual Mountains to the east. Most of these arid uplands are preserved in three Wilderness Areas.Bosque del Apache means "woods of the Apache," named for the Apaches that routinely camped in the riverside forest. Today, Bosque del Apache is known as one of the most spectacular refuges in North America. Each autumn, tens of thousands of birds - including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese and ducks - make the refuge their winter home. The air is filled with honking of geese and guttural call of cranes. Flocks of snow geese abandon their feeding grounds when frightened by a stalking coyote or eagle. At dusk, flights of geese and cranes return to roost tin the marshes or on the Rio Grande. In the summer, Bosque del Apache, thought quiet, remains an oasis for diversity of wildlife, both in the riparian areas and surrounding arid uplands.
Reviewed By Tiffy_Bird - La Plata, United States
I spent three days at Bosque del Apache NWR during the Festival of the Cranes. The refuge is a stunning landscape that is managed specifically for the wintering birds. I'm thankful to all those who work and volunteer to make this a wonderful place to experience wildlife. Most come for the Sandhill Cranes, which are fascinating to watch, particularly in the early morning, when they leave their communal roosts in shallow water, and in the evening, when they return. There are so many other reasons to visit though: hiking trails, hawks and eagles, geese, owls, deer, bobcat, coyotes, and others. Visitor Center has two good films about the refuge and an excellent gift shop with lots of books and high quality merchandise. Can't recommend Bosque del Apache enough!
2. Latir Peak Wilderness Area
3. J. Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary & Nature Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
4. Philmont Scout Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 147 reviews
Reviewed By kawosa
Philmont is the premire high adventure site for those who are involved in Boy Scouting, However everyone is welcome. They have a wonderful museum and store. Lastly, you can travel across the property and take some amzing pictures of the landscape and wildlife.
5. Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area
6. Wild Rivers Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By cavers2
Want to visit a beautiful, scenic area without the crowds you'd find at a national park? This is the place. You're on a high plataeu above the Rio Grande Gorge with plenty of camping, hiking, rafting, & biking options. The remoteness of the area allows for amazing night skies so camping out is highly recommended.The campgrounds at Wild Rivers are first come, first served so try to arrive early in the day to secure your site. A favortie hike of ours is the Arsenic Springs trail to the river and petroglyph viewing - try it!
7. Windrush Alpacas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Pioneer737605
We stayed at Windrush Alpacas in Clovis NM at the end of Sept 2019. Rosemary and her husband were charming hosts. Rosemary brought us out a package of cookies when we arrived late in the day. We got to help feed all the animals which was fun and she told us all about her animals including some rescues. Thank you for being Harvest Hosts!
8. Randall Davey Audubon Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 213 reviews
This 135-acre nature sanctuary serves as the state office and educational center for the National Audubon Society, which offers education programs and free natural history and birding walks throughout the year.
Reviewed By OneOrchidLover - South Pole, null
Being a local, I went here for the first time and wished I’d come sooner. The short trail behind the Audubon center was excellent- well-maintained and full of birds to identify. I will be back to enjoy the solitude and natural beauty.
9. Cibola National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
A 1.5-million-acre park whose elaborate trail system includes La Luz Trail, which climbs over 3,300 feet in nine miles.
Reviewed By sentimentalnomad - Albuquerque, United States
We love the Cibola Forest bordering the Sandia Mountains! As one person reported, it’s “hiking galore!” There are so many wonderful hikes in this area. Must go at sunset on the “Watermelon” mountains! Hikes range from easy to hard, great for toddlers, true hikers, bikers, & climbers. A little something for everyone!
10. Pecos Wilderness Area
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