Blasterz spent 2 hours here birding and enjoying the surprisingly lush and teeming wetlands at the Bosque del Apache NWR while US 380 was closed due to missile tests at White Sands.
The visitor center is filled with lovely and educational exhibits on the local wildlife. Knowledgeable volunteers shared with us their knowledge of where the best bird locations are (and the pet nicknames of some of the specific individual birds they see frequently at the same places - for example, a Great Blue Heron nicknamed Harry).
From the website: (
visit link)
"Planning Your Visit - Bosque del Apache NWR Refuge Regulations & Information
Hours The Tour Loop (please see Tour Loop map ) is open from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset every day of the year.
The visitor center is open from 8:00 - 4:00 every day, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and July 4.
Entry Fees The one-day entry fee is $5.00 per passenger vehicle with all occupants or $50 for a commercial tour bus. The fee can be paid at the visitor center during regular business hours, or at the seasonal fee booth at the entrance to the Tour Loop. If the fee booth is not open, a self-pay station is provided. Federal Passes are available for purchase at the visitor center and fee booth during business hours.
Restrooms The restrooms are in a separate building to the west of the visitor center, and are fully accessible. There are also permanent, accessible restrooms on the east side of the Tour Loop where the North and South Loops come together, and at the Flight Deck on the North Loop. From November through February additional porta-potties may be located around the tour loops.
Picnicking The refuge provides a picnic pavilion near the visitor center with trashcans. You may also eat at other locations of your choice, but be careful not to leave litter. If you packed it in, pack it out. No fires or grills are allowed anywhere on the refuge.
Vehicles and Parking The refuge lies along both sides of NM Highway 1, which connects to I-25 at exit 139 in the town of San Antonio and with I-25 exit 115 south of the refuge (please see our NM map and tour loop map). NM Highway 1 is a 55 mph state highway. Stopping suddenly on the roadway to look at birds or other wildlife is dangerous, so please use the wide turnouts along both the north and south approaches.
The visitor center parking lot can accommodate motor homes as well as cars. You are welcome to unhitch and use your tow vehicle on the Tour Loop, but it is not required. Please drive carefully on the gravel roads and stay on the designated roads and turnouts. The speed limit is 25 mph. There are both one-way and two-way sections, so observe signs carefully. You should expect vehicles ahead of you to stop - sometimes suddenly - as visitors spot interesting birds or other wildlife. Tour Loop roads are wide, so pull over to allow others to pass safely.
Camping There is no camping on the refuge for the public. This rule also applies to RVs; no overnight parking allowed. Staff at the visitor center can advise about camping and RV parks in the area, or you can check out our lodging page. (The group camping signs refer to scout, school, or college groups who are carrying out work projects for the refuge.)
Hiking and Biking The refuge provides many opportunities for hiking and limited biking. Some routes are only for hikers, others permit either. Bicycling routes vary by season, so please call ahead if you are planning a biking trip. There are kiosks, signs, and staff in the visitor center to provide further details about a particular route. For either activity, it is important that you stay on the designated trails and roads.
Photography is welcome in areas to which public access is permitted. Signage restrictions apply to all visitors, including photographers. Normal courtesy with respect to viewing rights of others is expected. (See “Other Uses of the Refuge” section covering commercial photography workshops). Also see our Events &Workshops for any photography workshops open to the public.
Hunting and Fishing Both hunting and fishing are allowed in designated areas during certain seasons, subject to New Mexico Game and Fish license and regulation requirements. Check with the staff in the visitor center for specific information on locations and regulations.
Swimming No wading, swimming, canoeing, boating, or floating is allowed in refuge waters, including the Rio Grande.
Horseback Riding Limited horseback riding in support of hunting only is allowed, restricted to areas of the refuge east of the Rio Grande during state hunt seasons. No horseback riding is allowed west of the Rio Grande. Call the Refuge for more information.
Signs Read the signs. Some prohibit all public access. Others prohibit vehicles but invite hiking and biking. Temporary barricades protect nesting, roosting and feeding areas and protect visitors from hazardous situations. Please respect them.
Animals Only service animals are allowed in refuge buildings. Please clean up after your pet. Releasing fish, other pets, or plants on the refuge is prohibited. They disrupt the biology by compromising the habitat and/or wildlife we are trying to preserve and are a source of disease. Do not attempt to feed birds or other wildlife - just observe and enjoy them as they are.
To ensure that you and your pet enjoy a safe visit, follow all pet regulations while inside the refuge. Wildlife may be drawn to pets and their owners; pets can wander away and may never be found – the refuge is a wild place!
Pets are allowed on the Bosque del Apache NWR under the following conditions:
From October 1 thru March 31: •Pets must be inside the vehicle at all times while on the Tour Loop.
•Pets are not allowed on any trails adjacent to the Tour Loop (this includes: Marsh boardwalk, Taylor memorial trail/overlook, Rio Viejo trail, observation blind/trail
•Pets are not permitted on observation decks, or inside the visitor center.
•Pets are permitted on all hiking trails west of highway1 (this Includes: Chupadera trail and Canyon trail) though they must be physically restrained at all times on a leash no longer than six feet in length
From April 1 thru September 30: •Pets are permitted on all hiking trails though they must be physically restrained on a leash no longer than six feet in length...
•Pets are not permitted on observation decks, or inside the visitor center.
•Pets are permitted out of vehicles along the Tour Loop though they must be physically restrained at all times on a leash no longer than six feet in length
Collecting Do not pick, disturb, or collect any plants, animals, rocks, or artifacts on the refuge. If you wish to study or research an item later, take photos or make sketches. Virtual geocaching is allowed in areas open to the public; however, physical geocaching is not permitted on the Refuge.
Climate The refuge is at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert at about 4500' elevation. Days are usually sunny, and a temperature change of 30° and more between dawn and noon is common. Thus, a hat and other sun protection plus layers of clothing that can be added and removed are recommended. Please check the San Antonio, NM weather forecast
Nature Store The Friends of Bosque del Apache NWR operates The Bosque Nature Store inside the visitor center as well as an The Bosque Nature Store Online with an excellent selection of books, water and snacks, clothing, and a broad selection of nature-related items from the southwest. Nature Store hours are the same as the visitor center (8-4).
Other Uses of the Refuge Workshops, such as photography workshops, commercial tours, film crews, and other commercial uses of the refuge are allowed by special permit and upon payment of the appropriate fee. Such activities must not impede public use of the refuge. Specific information is available at the visitor center and on our Events page.
Wilderness Area Access The Indian Well, Chupadera, and Little San Pascual Wilderness Areas are accessible by hiking year round via designated assess points only. You may hike off trail in these areas; travel is at your own risk. Be aware that these areas are also open to hunting during certain seasons. Horses and overnight camping are not allowed in refuge Wilderness Areas."