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Welcome to Bosque del Apache NWR!

Park History

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1939, is a 57,331-acre refuge in New Mexico known for its significant role in providing a wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl, particularly cranes, geese, and ducks. The refuge's name, Spanish for "woods of the Apache," reflects the area's historical use by Apache tribes, who camped in the forests along the Rio Grande. Prior to that, the Piro people lived in the area until the 1600s.

Establishment and Purpose:
The refuge was established in 1939 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide a crucial stopover point for migrating birds.

Historical Significance:
The refuge is located on land historically used by the Apache and earlier by the Piro people.

Geographic Features:
It's situated between the Chupadera Mountains and San Pascual Mountains.

Key Habitats:
The refuge includes Rio Grande floodplain, irrigated farms, wetlands, arid grasslands, and foothills.

Wildlife Attraction:
Tens of thousands of birds, including cranes, geese, and ducks, spend the winter at Bosque del Apache.

Public Access:
A twelve-mile loop road allows visitors to observe wildlife and raptors, with several walking trails available.

Ecosystem and Research:
The refuge also serves as a research site for studying stratigraphy and sedimentology, due to its location within the Little San Pascual Mountain fault zone. -- Source Google



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