Bosque del Apache Wilderness
On a quiet day in November you'll hear the haunting cry of sandhill cranes echoing across the marsh and grasslands of 57,191-acre Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Amazing to think that in 1939, when the refuge was established, the crane count averaged a sobering 17. That figure has since soared to 12,000. Add to that impressive tally 70,000 snow geese, 40,000-plus ducks (at least 14 species), Canada geese, Gambel's quail, roadrunners, and more than 300 other winged species and banner birding is a given. However, Bosque del Apache isn't just for the birds. Other residents included mule deer, coyotes, javelina, and western diamondback rattlesnakes. The refuge, is split in two by the hushed flow of the Rio Grande.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| State | New Mexico |
| Size | 30,427 acres |
| Designated | 1975, by Congress |
| Center point | 33.79° N, 106.93° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 28) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
No federal campground is within ten miles of the boundary in the Campsite Atlas index. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from trails and water, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit and group-size rules.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 12.5 miHilton, August Holver, House ↗Socorro, NM
- 12.7 miVigil, Rufina, House ↗Socorro, NM
- 12.7 miHouse at 405 Park Street ↗Socorro, NM
- 12.8 miEaton, Nestor P., House ↗Socorro, NM
- 12.8 miFitch, James Gurden, House ↗Socorro, NM
- 12.8 miCooney, Captain Michael, House ↗Socorro, NM
- 12.8 miCortesy, Anthony, House ↗Socorro, NM
- 12.8 miHouse at 303 Eaton Avenue ↗Socorro, NM
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Bosque del Apache Wilderness?
30,427 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Bosque del Apache Wilderness?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Bosque del Apache Wilderness in?
New Mexico.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Bosque del Apache Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1975.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Bosque del Apache Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 33.787° N, 106.934° W. El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail is 1 mile away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Which national parks are near Bosque del Apache Wilderness?
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail (1 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Bosque del Apache Wilderness?
The National Register has 18 listings within 15 miles, including Hilton, August Holver, House and Vigil, Rufina, House.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.