The Mathers WSA is located in eastern New Mexico, about 40 miles east of
Roswell. The area is on the edge of the southern part of the Great Plains and
at the northern end of a 6-10 mile wide belt of sand dunes stabilized by
shinnery oak, a low growing shrub. The area provides critical habitat for the
dunes sagebrush lizard and lesser prairie chicken; the latter can be observed
displaying in leks during mating season.

The Mathers WSA is located in eastern New Mexico, about 40 miles east of Roswell. The area is on the edge of the southern part of the Great Plains and at the northern end of a 6-10 mile wide belt of sand dunes stabilized by shinnery oak, a low growing shrub. The area provides critical habitat for the dunes sagebrush lizard and lesser prairie chicken; the latter can be observed displaying in leks during mating season.

Bird's eye view of the park

Mathers Wilderness Study Area

**New:** BLM to begin boundary fence construction at Mescalero Sands OHV Area.
Beginning Oct. 21 through approximately Nov. 30, the boundary fence at
Mescalero Sands OHV Area will be under construction. OHV riders, please ride
responsibly and stay alert to sections of fence that will be under
construction.

More than 610 acres of towering 90+ foot sand dunes await your enjoyment in
the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. The dune field
stretches over most of the area and lends itself well to all terrain cycles,
sand rails and dune buggies. The dunes are made up of quartz particles and are
constantly changing due to the prevailing southwest wind. When the dunes are
active, they move about a foot per year.

Among the biggest surprises in the area are the mature cottonwood trees. The
combination of a very shallow water table and the sand's capacity to hold
water allows these trees to thrive in an arid environment.

While the road into Mescalero Sands is capable of supporting cars, trucks and
buses, the soft sand off established roads and parking lots is not. BLM does
not recommend leaving the surfaced areas in any vehicle other than an all-
terrain vehicle.

The Bowl Parking Area provides access to the northern portion of the dunes,
which includes the "Bowl." The Bowl is a large depression surrounded by dunes.
The Cottonwood Site provides access to the southern portion of the dunes.
Trails connect both portions of the dunes.

Purchase activity passes

New: BLM to begin boundary fence construction at Mescalero Sands OHV Area. Beginning Oct. 21 through approximately Nov. 30, the boundary fence at Mescalero Sands OHV Area will be under construction. OHV riders, please ride responsibly and stay alert to sections of fence that will be under construction. More than 610 acres of towering 90+ foot sand dunes await your enjoyment in the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. The dune field stretches over most of the area and lends itself well to all terrain cycles, sand rails and dune buggies. The dunes are made up of quartz particles and are constantly changing due to the prevailing southwest wind. When the dunes are active, they move about a foot per year. 
 
Among the biggest surprises in the area are the mature cottonwood trees. The combination of a very shallow water table and the sand's capacity to hold water allows these trees to thrive in an arid environment. 
 
While the road into Mescalero Sands is capable of supporting cars, trucks and buses, the soft sand off established roads and parking lots is not. BLM does not recommend leaving the surfaced areas in any vehicle other than an all-terrain vehicle. 
 
The Bowl Parking Area provides access to the northern portion of the dunes, which includes the "Bowl." The Bowl is a large depression surrounded by dunes. The Cottonwood Site provides access to the southern portion of the dunes. Trails connect both portions of the dunes. <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/87a1b0ea-c5dd-11ea-b136-d2ef8c4f00fd" rel="nofollow">Purchase activity passes</a>

Mathers Wilderness Study Area

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area