Cebolla Wilderness
Cebolla Wilderness, part of El Malpais National Conservation Area, lies just across State Highway 117 from West Malpais Wilderness but offers easier traveling than the ominously raw volcanic terrain of the badlands. Cebolla shares its eastern border with the Acoma Indian Reservation, but you should avoid crossing the border without first checking with the reservation manager. Primitive two-track trails provide effortless hiking up Cebolla Canyon, Sand Canyon, and Armijo Canyon, all of which feature sandstone bluffs and sandy side washes beneath high mesas, ranging in elevation from about 7,000 to 8,350 feet. Look for evidence of past habitation, from ancient petroglyphs to the ruins of Depression-era homesteads.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | New Mexico |
| Size | 61,600 acres |
| Designated | 1987, by Congress |
| Center point | 34.73° N, 107.90° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 22) |
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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTank Canyon/Wildhorse Slash Pit Rx
10 mi from the center point · 1 acre
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 11.7 miSan Esteban del Rey Mission ↗National Historic Landmark
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Cebolla Wilderness?
61,600 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Cebolla Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Cebolla Wilderness in?
New Mexico.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Cebolla Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1987.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Cebolla Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 34.726° N, 107.896° W. El Malpais National Monument is 5 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Cebolla Wilderness right now?
1 active incident within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Tank Canyon/Wildhorse Slash Pit Rx at 10 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Which national parks are near Cebolla Wilderness?
El Malpais National Monument (5 mi) and El Morro National Monument (28 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Cebolla Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including San Esteban del Rey Mission.
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.