Johnson (Gordy's) Hill offers diverse recreation opportunities including many
roads and trails traversing deeply dissected canyons, high sandstone and
limestone bluffs, terraces, and escarpments. On the higher ridges, there are
scenic views of the Rio Grande Valley to the west. There are a variety of
recreational opportunities, most notably off-highway vehicle riding on
existing routes, offering challenges for all experience levels. The Quebradas
Backcountry Byway divides the area from west to east and provides excellent
opportunities for driving and photography.

Please check with the Socorro Field Office before going out to this recreation
area to learn about any restrictions or changes in activities.

Johnson (Gordy's) Hill offers diverse recreation opportunities including many roads and trails traversing deeply dissected canyons, high sandstone and limestone bluffs, terraces, and escarpments. On the higher ridges, there are scenic views of the Rio Grande Valley to the west. There are a variety of recreational opportunities, most notably off-highway vehicle riding on existing routes, offering challenges for all experience levels. The Quebradas Backcountry Byway divides the area from west to east and provides excellent opportunities for driving and photography. 
 
Please check with the Socorro Field Office before going out to this recreation area to learn about any restrictions or changes in activities.

Bird's eye view of the park

Johnson (Gordy's) Hill

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the "Royal Road of the Interior," is the
earliest Euro-American trade route in the United States. Linking Spain's
colonial capital at Mexico City to its northern frontier in distant New
Mexico, the route spans three centuries, two countries, and 1,600 miles. It
was part of Spain's Camino Real Intercontinental - a global network of roads
and maritime routes.

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro was blazed atop a network of footpaths that
connected Mexico's ancient cultures with the equally ancient cultures of the
interior West. Starting in Mexico City, the frontier wagon road brought
settlers into today's New Mexico. Once travelers crossed the arid lands above
Ciudad Chihuahua, they followed the wide Rio Grande Valley north into New
Mexico. Many of the historic parajes (campsites) and early settlements created
by the Spanish colonists became today's modern cities in the Rio Grande
Valley.

In the United States, the trail stretched from the El Paso area in Texas,
through Las Cruces, Socorro, Belen, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe to Ohkay Owingeh
(San Juan Pueblo), the first Spanish capital in New Mexico. In Mexico, the
historic road runs through Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potos?,
Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, and Quer?taro to Mexico City.

Today, the trail corridor nurtures a lively exchange of ideas, customs, and
language between Mexico and the American Southwest.

## El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail Partnership

Our national historic trails commemorate events and processes that shaped our
Nation. While it is possible to follow the general route of El Camino Real de
Tierra Adentro today on modern highways in New Mexico and Texas, many miles of
the Trail cross private lands and many of the most significant trail sites are
privately owned or managed by tribal, state, or municipal agencies. We work
closely with the National Park Service (www.nps.gov/elca) to administer the
trail and with the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association (CARTA)
(www.caminorealcarta.org) to develop volunteer opportunities and projects
along the trail. Contact our many partners for information about the trail and
opportunities to visit trail sites.

## Respect the Trail

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro runs through the heart of the Rio Grande
Valley. The historic road was added to our National Trails System in 2000 as
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. The trail is
administered jointly by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park
Service. These agencies work in close partnership with El Camino Real de
Tierra Adentro Trail Association (CARTA), the Native Americans whose ancestors
first encountered the Spanish colonists, and a large network of state, county,
and municipal governmental agencies, private landowners, nonprofit heritage
conservation groups, and many others. Trail sites are in private, municipal,
tribal, federal or state ownership. Please ask for permission before visiting
any trail sites on private lands and check with public sites for visiting
hours and regulations.

## Places To Go

There are many places of history and commemoration on El Camino Real for you
to visit. All of these sites participate in El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
National Historic Trail. Museums, interpretive centers, and historic sites
provide information and interpretation.

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Interactive Map

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the "Royal Road of the Interior," is the earliest Euro-American trade route in the United States. Linking Spain's colonial capital at Mexico City to its northern frontier in distant New Mexico, the route spans three centuries, two countries, and 1,600 miles. It was part of Spain's Camino Real Intercontinental - a global network of roads and maritime routes. El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro was blazed atop a network of footpaths that connected Mexico's ancient cultures with the equally ancient cultures of the interior West. Starting in Mexico City, the frontier wagon road brought settlers into today's New Mexico. Once travelers crossed the arid lands above Ciudad Chihuahua, they followed the wide Rio Grande Valley north into New Mexico. Many of the historic parajes (campsites) and early settlements created by the Spanish colonists became today's modern cities in the Rio Grande Valley. In the United States, the trail stretched from the El Paso area in Texas, through Las Cruces, Socorro, Belen, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe to Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo), the first Spanish capital in New Mexico. In Mexico, the historic road runs through Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potos?, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, and Quer?taro to Mexico City. Today, the trail corridor nurtures a lively exchange of ideas, customs, and language between Mexico and the American Southwest.<h2>El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail Partnership</h2>Our national historic trails commemorate events and processes that shaped our Nation. While it is possible to follow the general route of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro today on modern highways in New Mexico and Texas, many miles of the Trail cross private lands and many of the most significant trail sites are privately owned or managed by tribal, state, or municipal agencies. We work closely with the National Park Service (www.nps.gov/elca) to administer the trail and with the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association (CARTA) (www.caminorealcarta.org) to develop volunteer opportunities and projects along the trail. Contact our many partners for information about the trail and opportunities to visit trail sites.<h2>Respect the Trail</h2>El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro runs through the heart of the Rio Grande Valley. The historic road was added to our National Trails System in 2000 as El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. The trail is administered jointly by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. These agencies work in close partnership with El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association (CARTA), the Native Americans whose ancestors first encountered the Spanish colonists, and a large network of state, county, and municipal governmental agencies, private landowners, nonprofit heritage conservation groups, and many others. Trail sites are in private, municipal, tribal, federal or state ownership. Please ask for permission before visiting any trail sites on private lands and check with public sites for visiting hours and regulations.<h2>Places To Go</h2>There are many places of history and commemoration on El Camino Real for you to visit. All of these sites participate in El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. Museums, interpretive centers, and historic sites provide information and interpretation.<a href="https://www.nps.gov/elca/planyourvisit/places-to-go.htm" rel="nofollow">El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Interactive Map</a>

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail

The Quebradas Backcountry Byway is an unpaved county road traversing about 24
miles of rugged, colorful landscapes east of Socorro. Two National Wildlife
Refuges are only a few miles from this Byway - Sevilleta to the north and
Bosque del Apache to the south. Much of the Byway includes rolling bench lands
that rise above the Rio Grande floodplain to the west and rugged north-south
running ridges of alternating bands of red and yellow sandstone, red and
purple shale, and white to gray limestone.

The region includes upper Chihuahuan desert mountain ranges with sparse
vegetation. The Quebradas road crosses several arroyos, which drain into the
Rio Grande. Erosion has created scenic geological settings such as the Arroyo
de la Presilla, Arroyo del Tajo, and the Loma de las Canas ridgeline. Many
areas along the road contain near vertical, multicolored cliffs, twisted and
convoluted badlands, narrow box canyons, and other topographic landforms.
Colorful soils and banding of rock formations can be viewed midway through the
drive.

The Quebradas Backcountry Byway is an unpaved county road traversing about 24 miles of rugged, colorful landscapes east of Socorro. Two National Wildlife Refuges are only a few miles from this Byway - Sevilleta to the north and Bosque del Apache to the south. Much of the Byway includes rolling bench lands that rise above the Rio Grande floodplain to the west and rugged north-south running ridges of alternating bands of red and yellow sandstone, red and purple shale, and white to gray limestone.The region includes upper Chihuahuan desert mountain ranges with sparse vegetation. The Quebradas road crosses several arroyos, which drain into the Rio Grande. Erosion has created scenic geological settings such as the Arroyo de la Presilla, Arroyo del Tajo, and the Loma de las Canas ridgeline. Many areas along the road contain near vertical, multicolored cliffs, twisted and convoluted badlands, narrow box canyons, and other topographic landforms. Colorful soils and banding of rock formations can be viewed midway through the drive.

Quebradas Backcountry Byway

The Veranito WSA is located in central New Mexico approximately five miles
east of Socorro. The area is characterized by a series of undulating, parallel
ridges cut by numerous arroyos. It is interspersed with low-lying hills and a
low elevation east-facing escarpment. The vegetation is typical of the upper
Chihuahuan Desert.

The Veranito WSA is located in central New Mexico approximately five miles east of Socorro. The area is characterized by a series of undulating, parallel ridges cut by numerous arroyos. It is interspersed with low-lying hills and a low elevation east-facing escarpment. The vegetation is typical of the upper Chihuahuan Desert.

Veranito Wilderness Study Area

The Socorro Nature Area is a 120-acre environmental education area in the Rio
Grande Bosque. The area includes a 1/2-mile self-guiding nature walk with
interpretive signs, a pond, and amphitheatre. It also has picnic tables, a
group shelter, and a restroom.

The Socorro Nature Area is a 120-acre environmental education area in the Rio Grande Bosque. The area includes a 1/2-mile self-guiding nature walk with interpretive signs, a pond, and amphitheatre. It also has picnic tables, a group shelter, and a restroom.

Socorro Nature Area

The Presilla WSA is located in central New Mexico, approximately 10 miles east
of Socorro. The landform consists of a mesa cut by large arroyos, rugged
limestone, sandstone hills, and scattered coppice dunes. Vegetation consists
of desert shrubs. The WSA is home to many wildlife species, including Red-
tailed and Cooper's hawks, prairie falcons, doves, quail, songbirds, mule
deer, gray and kit fox, rock squirrels, jackrabbits, and several reptilian
species.

The Presilla WSA is located in central New Mexico, approximately 10 miles east of Socorro. The landform consists of a mesa cut by large arroyos, rugged limestone, sandstone hills, and scattered coppice dunes. Vegetation consists of desert shrubs. The WSA is home to many wildlife species, including Red-tailed and Cooper's hawks, prairie falcons, doves, quail, songbirds, mule deer, gray and kit fox, rock squirrels, jackrabbits, and several reptilian species.

Presilla Wilderness Study Area

The Sierra de las Cañas as WSA is located in west-central New Mexico. This
rugged desert mountain range is highly scenic. It features colorful sheer rock
escarpments, deep narrow canyons, mountain ridges, mesa tops, and badlands.
This highly scenic area contains the Loma de las Cañas as Ridgecrest with
multi-colored sandstone, limestone, siltstone, and shale. There is also
interesting vegetation including yuccas, cholla, prickly pear cacti, and
ocotillo. Spring wildflowers are a special attraction.

The Sierra de las Cañas  as WSA is located in west-central New Mexico. This rugged desert mountain range is highly scenic. It features colorful sheer rock escarpments, deep narrow canyons, mountain ridges, mesa tops, and badlands. This highly scenic area contains the Loma de las Cañas  as Ridgecrest with multi-colored sandstone, limestone, siltstone, and shale. There is also interesting vegetation including yuccas, cholla, prickly pear cacti, and ocotillo. Spring wildflowers are a special attraction.

Sierra de las Canas Wilderness Study Area

The 640-acre Box Recreation Area is a highly scenic, rugged area that is very
popular for technical rock climbing and bouldering. The five cliffs on either
side of this box canyon provide popular rock climbing for even highly skilled
technical climbers. Challenging climbing opportunities include the Waterfall
Wall, Corner Block, and the Fillet a Papillon Wall.

The 640-acre Box Recreation Area is a highly scenic, rugged area that is very popular for technical rock climbing and bouldering. The five cliffs on either side of this box canyon provide popular rock climbing for even highly skilled technical climbers. Challenging climbing opportunities include the Waterfall Wall, Corner Block, and the Fillet a Papillon Wall.

The Box Recreation Area

San Lorenzo Canyon is jointly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and the Bureau of Land Management as a primitive recreation area. This scenic
east-west canyon offers ample outdoor opportunities for hiking and primitive
camping. Not only a destination for hikers, the Canyon offers outstanding
opportunities for photographers. Millions of years of Earth’s history unfold
in San Lorenzo Canyon, a picturesque area of sandstone cliffs, arches, and
hoodoos. The cottonwoods indicate there may have been a reliable water source
at one time in the area. The area has remnants of old ranches and homesteads;
springs and tiny creeks are hidden in the canyon bottoms and washes. High
clearance and/or 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. There are no
restrooms or drinking water.

San Lorenzo Canyon is jointly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management as a primitive recreation area. This scenic east-west canyon offers ample outdoor opportunities for hiking and primitive camping. Not only a destination for hikers, the Canyon offers outstanding opportunities for photographers. Millions of years of Earth’s history unfold in San Lorenzo Canyon, a picturesque area of sandstone cliffs, arches, and hoodoos. The cottonwoods indicate there may have been a reliable water source at one time in the area. The area has remnants of old ranches and homesteads; springs and tiny creeks are hidden in the canyon bottoms and washes. High clearance and/or 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. There are no restrooms or drinking water.

San Lorenzo Canyon

The Stallion WSA is located in central New Mexico, approximately 15 miles east
of Socorro. The area is composed of escarpments, box canyons, rolling
foothills, mountains, and badlands. The vegetation is typical of the upper
Chihuahuan Desert. It is a semi-arid area that is known for its rugged terrain
and near vertical escarpments that reach elevations of 7,100 feet. The
mountainous topography and numerous rock outcrops are attractive to birds of
prey.

The Stallion WSA is located in central New Mexico, approximately 15 miles east of Socorro. The area is composed of escarpments, box canyons, rolling foothills, mountains, and badlands. The vegetation is typical of the upper Chihuahuan Desert. It is a semi-arid area that is known for its rugged terrain and near vertical escarpments that reach elevations of 7,100 feet. The mountainous topography and numerous rock outcrops are attractive to birds of prey.

Stallion Wilderness Study Area

The 230,000-acre refuge includes four different biomes that intersect and
support a wide array of biological diversity. The Rio Grande flows through the
center of the refuge, and serves as an important source of water that creates
an oasis for wildlife in the arid landscape. The refuge is unique in that it
was set aside “to preserve and enhance the integrity and the natural character
of the ecosystems of the property by creating a wildlife refuge managed as
nearly as possible in its natural state.” The refuge is not managed for
specific wildlife species, but instead focuses on letting natural processes
such as flood and fire to prevail.

Like intersecting highways, four major biomes unite at Sevilleta National
Wildlife Refuge. Piñon–Juniper Woodlands intersect with the Colorado Plateau
Shrub–Steppe lands. The Chihuahuan Desert meets the Great Plains Grasslands.
In select places, all four converge. To add to the stunning diversity, the
largest river in New Mexico, the Rio Grande, bisects the immense landscape of
the refuge, a lifeline for migrating birds and corridor for wildlife.

An array of amazing plants and wildlife that have evolved with the different
ecosystems are found here. Scientists from across the country and
internationally come here to conduct research in these amazing ecosystems

The 230,000-acre refuge includes four different biomes that intersect and support a wide array of biological diversity. The Rio Grande flows through the center of the refuge, and serves as an important source of water that creates an oasis for wildlife in the arid landscape. The refuge is unique in that it was set aside “to preserve and enhance the integrity and the natural character of the ecosystems of the property by creating a wildlife refuge managed as nearly as possible in its natural state.”  The refuge is not managed for specific wildlife species, but instead focuses on letting natural processes such as flood and fire to prevail. Like intersecting highways, four major biomes unite at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Piñon–Juniper Woodlands intersect with the Colorado Plateau Shrub–Steppe lands. The Chihuahuan Desert meets the Great Plains Grasslands. In select places, all four converge. To add to the stunning diversity, the largest river in New Mexico, the Rio Grande, bisects the immense landscape of the refuge, a lifeline for migrating birds and corridor for wildlife.  An array of amazing plants and wildlife that have evolved with the different ecosystems are found here. Scientists from across the country and internationally come here to conduct research in these amazing ecosystems