Back to original page Printer Friendly Version of REDTT's: Wildlife Habitats A great variety of animals in their natural habitat can be found throughout the Land of Enchantment. Learn more about them as they play, hunt and relax in these natural habitats. Many of these areas are open to seasonal hunting and camping as well. Because most of these habitats are very rural, so they are listed by the nearest city.   ALBUQUERQUE Elena Gallegos Animal species documented: 199 bird species, 34 mammal species, and 23 reptiles. Mammals include: the black-tailed jackrabbit, rock squirrel, coyote, and many more. Coming from the north, take the Tramway Road Exit (234) off I-25. The road gradually climbs 7.5 miles, eventually paralleling the mountains. Pass one stop sign and six stoplights. About a half mile beyond San Rafael Street (the sixth stoplight), turn left at the sign for the park. From downtown Albuquerque, travel north on Tramway from Montgomery; 0.8 mile to the entrance on right. For more information, contact the Albuquerque Open Space Division, Albuquerque, NM. (505) 873-6620   BELEN Belen Waterfowl Area - 230 acres along the Rio Grande River just south of Albuquerque. Good bird watching. Resting place for wintering waterfowl. No hunting or fishing in this area. For more information contact New Mexico Game and Fish in Albuquerque at (505) 841-8881   BERNARDO Bernardo Waterfowl Area - Located 26 miles north of Socorro at the Bernardo exit on I-25, the Bernardo Waterfowl area is open to year round bird watching and seasonal hunting. 450 acres of crops provide winter feed for migratory and upland birds. Salt cedar, cottonwoods, pongs and a small marsh house these waterfowl along the Rio Grande River. Fishing is limited and boat use is restricted to non-motor types. For more information contact New Mexico Game and Fish in Albuquerque at (505) 841-8881   BLOOMFIELD Roy J. Retherford Wildlife Area Riverside park where bird watching is available. Located two miles east of Bloomfield on US 64. For more information contact the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce at (505) 632-0880, or the City of Bloomfield Administration Offices in Bloomfield, NM. (505) 632-8096 CARLSBAD Brantley Lake State Park Southernmost lake in New Mexico which offers wildlife viewing. Just north of the city of Carlsbad, NM. (505) 457-2384 or Email: brantleylkstpk@pvtnetworks.net CEBOLLETA Marquez Wildlife Area - Rolling piñon and juniper hills, oak and ponderosa pine and then large open mesa top with clumps of gambles oak and grass. The Marquez Wildlife area is 8,500 feet above sea level and is the home to elk, deer and small game. Right on the McKinley-Sandoval County lines, hunting is by draw for elk only. Small game hunting permitted. Very rough, remote country. Camping is in primitive sites. For more information contact New Mexico Game and Fish in Albuquerque at (505) 841-8881   CHAMA Edward Sargent State Wildlife viewing area 20,400 acres of wildlife area mostly dominated by elk. Even though this area is considered a prime elk habitat other species can be viewed such as coyote, porcupine and much more. North and adjacent to Chama, NM, off NM 17 and US 64/84. For more information contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310 W.A. "Bill" Humphries State Wildlife viewing area 10,868 acres of wildlife area mostly dominated by elk. Even though this area is considered a prime elk habitat other species can be viewed such as coyote, porcupine and much more. Located 10 miles west of Chama on US 64/84 before Dulce. For more information contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish District Wildlife office at (505) 756-2585 or Division of Wildlife Supervisor, (505) 756-2718 Río de los Pinos State Wildlife & Fishing Area East of Chama. Must go through Cumbres, Colorado and back to New Mexico to enter on FR 284., then northeast on Co. 17 to US 285; south on US 285, into New Mexico and turn west onto FR 284. (505) 756-2300   CIMARRON Colin Neblett Wildlife Area 33,116 acres of wildlife area that shelters large populations of deer, turkey, elk, and many more species. Follow U.S. 64 westward from Címarron to Ute Park into the upper eight miles of Cimarron Canyon to view the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area. (505) 376-2417, (505) 377-6271 or New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310 Philmont Scout Ranch Wildlife viewing is available here by roadside viewing and back country viewing. A visitor can enjoy roadside viewing freely, however, the back country viewing requires the visitor to get authorization from Philmont Scout Ranch as Philmont is private property. From the town of Címarron, turn south onto NM Hwy. 21 and continue for two miles. Viewing begins with the bison enclosure on the west side of the road. Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, NM. (505) 376-2281. Elliott S. Barker Wildlife Area A habitat area of 5, 415 acres for deer, elk, bear, and turkey. Running parallel to US 64, the Elliott S. Barker Wildlife Area is about 15 miles northwest of Címarron, NM. (505) 376-2417, (800) 700-4298 or New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310 Valle Vidal 100,000 acre wilderness area. Located in the Carson National Forest. 27 miles north of Címmaron, NM. (505) 376-2417   CLAYTON Clayton Lake Area Year round look for the gray fox, prong horn, raccoon, and mule deer. For more information call (505) 667-2757 or New Mexico Park & Recreation Division: (505) 374-8808 or the USDA Forest Service, (505) 374-9652 or New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310 DULCE Jicarilla Lakes Loop The lake is the largest breeding area for waterfowl in the state. Elk, mule deer, coyote, and wild turkey are part of the wildlife that can be viewed here. Golden eagles can also be viewed year-round. Wildlife viewing must be done in or near your vehicle. Other activities require a tribal permit. Near Dulce, NM, on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. Jicarilla Game and Fish: (505) 759-3255   EDGEWOOD Wildlife West Nature Park - Native flora and rescued, non-releasable wildlife in a 122 acre enhanced zoo and wildlife refuge. Fabulous array of animals to observe. 19 miles east of Albuquerque on I-40, exit 187. 87 N. Frontage Road, Edgewood, NM (505) 281-7655 or 281-WILD (9453) or (877) 815-WILD or E-mail: info@WildlifeWest.org.   FARMINGTON Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area A 23,872 acre wilderness area administered by BLM. Located 38 miles south of Bloomfield via NM. 44 and CR 7500 or 37 miles south of Farmington, NM. (505) 599-8900 Jackson Lake Wildlife Area Approximately 840 acres of wildlife area. A trail system has been developed from State Road 170 to the river, to enhance wildlife viewing opportunities. South of Farmington, NM. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310   GRANTS Water Canyon Wildlife Area - About 14 miles east, and then a little north of Grants, NM, the Water Canyon Wildlife Area ranges 6,500 to 8,000 feet above sea level. Access is by walking or horseback. Habitat improvements going on in the area. Open to spring turkey, cougar, bear and small game hunting during appropriate seasons. For more information contact New Mexico Game and Fish in Albuquerque at (505) 841-8881 El Malpais National Monument and National Conservation Area It is the home to many species including: golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, bear, deer, coyote, mountain lion, bobcat, elk, mule, and antelope. El Malpais provides many recreational opportunities for the visitor.Two State Highways -- NM 53 on the west side, NM 117 on the east -- provide access to El Malpais. The El Malpais Information Center can provide detailed information and maps. The center has just relocated to a new facility off NM 53, about 23 miles south of Grants. El Malpais National Monument Administration: (505) 285-4641; Information Center: (505) 783-4774; El Malpais National Conservation Area: (505) 285-5406.   LA JOYA La Joya Waterfowl Area - Just north of Socorro, take the San Acacia exit on I-25. An important resting spot of the Spaniards, Indians and Federal and Confederate Soldiers. A wonderful spot for picture taking of sandhill cranes, geese, ducks, shorebirds, quail, dove and songbirds. There are ponds, canals and ditches that spread out over 3,550 acres of land. Waterfowl hunting is permitted during open season. Fishing is permitted in the summer and bird watching is great all year long. For more information contact New Mexico Game and Fish in Albuquerque at (505) 841-8881   LAS CRUCES San Andres National Wildlife Refuge The 57,215-acre wildlife refuge houses the state-endangered desert bighorn, along with mule deer, golden eagles, mountain lions, and gray vireos. On the refuge, 48 species of mammals and 132 species of birds have been documented. Take Highway 70 E to intersection of Santa Gertrudis (between mile markers 159 and 160). Office is in chain link compound at northeast corner of intersection (three car shop is in compound with Office). Because it's on the White Sands Missile Range, you can't go there for recreational purposes. However, they do use volunteers in many capacities. North of Las Cruces, NM. (505) 382-5047 Dripping Springs Natural Area This area, also known as "weeping walls," is comprised of many habitats that each contain their own biological diversity. A desert oasis! Also visit the ruins of the historic Dripping Springs Resort, once a TB assylum, and too. Nice visitor center with small museum about the area and clean restrooms. Good hiking trails and picnic tables.I-25, Exit 0 (University Ave.), and travel east 9 miles on University Ave. (County Road 77) to site. Watch for signs to Dripping Springs. No admittance after 3 p.m.; gate closes at 8 p.m. It's a 1.5 mile hike to the springs. Las Cruces, NM. Bureau of Land Management: (505) 522-1219   LAS VEGAS Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge Provides wintering habitat for migratory birds, hawks, sandhill cranes, eagles, and waterfowl with more than 300 species of wildlife, including 239 species of birds. Wildlife observation and photography, fishing, limited hunting, and hiking (limited to a .5 mile trail or by permit only). Admission is free. Open daily, dawn to dusk. Located 6 miles southeast of Las Vegas via Hwy 104 and 281. Las Vegas, NM. (505) 425-3581 LORDSBURG Red Rock Wildlife Area Desert bighorn sheep, javelina. Located 25 miles north of Lordsburg via US 70 and NM 464, make a right on Game Department Road, Lordsburg, NM. (505) 827-9904 or (505) 542-9760 El Rincón del Oso Plata 265 bird species, 67 mammal species, 66 reptiles & amphibians & regional flora and fauna. 25 miles northeast of Lordsburg, NM. (505) 542-9705   MAXWELL Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge More than 3,000 acres of gently rolling prairie, playa lakes, and farmland for waterfowl, at an altitude of 6,050 feet. From Raton, take I-25 south to Maxwell, go north on State Highway 445 .8 mile and west on State Highway 505 approximately 2.5 miles. Turn north at entrance sign (1.5 miles to headquarters). (505) 375-2331 PECOS Clancy Fishing and Wildlife Area Just north of Pecos, NM via NM 63. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310 or in Santa Fe: (505) 827-7882   PORTALES Grulla National Wildlife Refuge Hike or just view lesser sandhill cranes and shorebirds. There are 3,236 of grasslands and salt beds. Located 20 miles east of Portales via NM 88. Portales, NM. Visit other web sites about Grula: Site 1 (800) 946-3341 Prairie Chicken Wildlife Area Wildlife viewing available. West of Portales, near Milnesand, NM. (505) 624-6135   QUESTA Uracca State Wildlife Area 14,000 acres of wildlife area of mostly elk and deer habitat. Wildlife viewing is available here. Located 16 miles north of Questa, NM on NM 522. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310   RATON Sugarite Canyon State Park "Land of Many Birds" Wildlife viewing of the black bear occurs throughout the park. Other wildlife that can be viewed here: bobcat, beaver, porcupine, striped skunk, barn swallow, spotted towhee and much more. To get there from Raton, take I-25 exit 452 to NM 72. Travel east about seven miles to the junction of NM 526. Take the left fork which goes uphill. Continue on to the visitor's center and beyond to access the lakes. Sugarite Canyon State Park, New Mexico Park and Recreation Division: (505) 445-5607 Capulin Volcano National Monument Mammals, birds, reptiles, wildflowers, and other species make their home here. Capulin Volcano National Monument lies within a triangle formed by the towns of Folsom, Des Moines, and Capulin, about 30 miles east of Raton. The entrance to the monument lies three miles north of the junction of US Highway 64/87 and NM Highway 325. For more information call the Capulin Volcano National Monument: (505) 278-2201. Visit another web site about Capulin: Site 1   ROSWELL Chihuahuan Wildlife Mescalero Sands Recreation Area This site offers viewing of the courtship ritual of the prairie chicken. Other animals may be viewed here as well. From downtown Roswell, take U.S. Highway 380 east for 46 miles to the Mescalero Sands Recreation Area on south side of highway, then proceed 2 miles east to the Walldrip Rest Area. Turn left (north) immediately across from the rest area to enter the Caprock Wildlife Habitat Area. Bureau of Land Management (505) 627-0270 Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Many species of migratory waterfowl migrate here during both spring and fall migrations. From Roswell, take Highway 285 north to Pine Lodge Road, head east on Pine Lodge Road approximately 9 miles to headquarters. Visit other web sites about the wildlife habitat: Site 1 (505) 622-6755 Bottomless Lakes State Park Seven sinkhole lakes make up this state park. Wildlife viewing of migratory waterfowl and occasional year-round viewing of the roadrunner, jackrabbit, mule deer, and raccoon. Travel 12 miles east of Roswell on U.S. Highway 380 to top of bluff, then turn south onto New Mexico Highway 409 and travel about 3 miles to state park entrance. To reach Overflow Wetlands, go to Lea Lake area of the park and continue south for 3.5 miles. Turn right onto a dirt road for 1.75 miles and park. New Mexico Park & Recreation Division (505) 624-6058 SILVER CITY Fort Bayard Wildlife Refuge 10 miles east of Silver City, off US 180. Fort Bayard, NM (505) 388-8201 Chihuahuan Wildlife Heart Bar Riparian Area Displays a great variety of wildlife animal activity such as black-headed grosbeak, yellow-breasted chat, mallard, common merganser, rail species, soda, various warblers, also beaver and muskrat. Sporadic year-round viewing of bobcat, gray fox, wild turkey, and coyote; rare sightings of mountain lion. Take New Mexico Highway 15 north of Silver City about 30 miles. Look for the tiny settlement of Gila Hot Springs, and start counting mileage from the Gila Hot Springs Store. Continue 1.3 miles north of the store to sign for Little Creek. Just past sign, pull off road on right and look for a trail encircling the pond. Another 1.5 miles north along NM 15 look for a dirt track to the right, just beyond mile marker 41; the track is flanked by wooden poles on each side. New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish (505) 827-7911   SOCORRO Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge The Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge occupies marsh, grasslands and desert uplands that are a habitat for whooping cranes, snow geese, ducks, and more than 300 other bird species. From Socorro, take Interstate 25 south to exit 139 (San Antonio). Drive 8 miles south on New Mexico Highway 1 from village of San Antonio. Approaching refuge from the south, take freeway exit 124 (San Marcial) and go 9 miles north on NM 1 to entrance. (505) 835-1828 Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge A variety of wildlife can be seen on the 22 mile loop driving tour. Located between Belen & Socorro in La Joya, NM (505) 835-0424 Visit other web sites about this wildlife refuge: Site 1   TAOS Tres Piedras State Wildlife Area 3,300 acres of high prairie.Wildlife viewing. Between Tres Piedras and Taos. 25 miles northwest of Taos off US 64. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish: (800) 862-9310   TAOS SKI VALLEY Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area In Carson National Forest. 13,161-foot-high Wheeler Peak. Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, llama trekking. (505) 992-7669   TIERRA AMARILLA Río Chama State Wildlife and Fishing Area 13,000 acres provide access to 12 miles of Río Chama and El Vado Lake. Two miles west of Tierra Amarilla on NM 112. (505) 827-7882 or New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310 Hopewell Lake Wildlife viewing. Located 27 miles east on US 64, in the San Juan Mountains between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla.   TRES PIEDRAS San Antonio Mountain This wildlife area is home to one of the state's largest elk herds. Wildlife viewing is available and includes: mountain bluebirds, rough-legged hawks and golden eagles. Located in Carson National Forest, north of Tres Piedras. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (800) 862-9310   TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES Apache Kid Wilderness Area In the San Mateo Mountains, 52 miles northwest of Tor C via I-25, NM 1 and FR 225. TUCUMCARI Tucumcari Wildlife Management Area Wildlife viewing along natural prairie lake. In Tucumcari along Main Street Back to original page .