A mountain peak dominates the view from the one-mile Perea Nature Trail loop
-- located just outside the village of San Ysidro in northwest New Mexico. The
mountain highlights the Jemez Mountain Range, which is the southern start of
the Rocky Mountains that extend northward to Alaska. The Perea Nature Trail
offers a short, refreshing hike. Falling within a migratory bird pathway, this
trail offers great birdwatching opportunities. If you are looking for
solitude, try sitting on the park bench under the giant cottonwood along the
trail. Visitors to the Perea Nature Trail may look to the southwest over the
Rio Salado riverbed to view an outstanding geologic setting. Blanco Mesa,
known for its unusual white surface, is used as a creative backdrop for motion
pictures and photography. The high rock formations with purple hues seen in
the distance are part of the Nacimiento Mountain chain and are some of the
oldest rocks in the area.

A mountain peak dominates the view from the one-mile Perea Nature Trail loop -- located just outside the village of San Ysidro in northwest New Mexico. The mountain highlights the Jemez Mountain Range, which is the southern start of the Rocky Mountains that extend northward to Alaska. The Perea Nature Trail offers a short, refreshing hike. Falling within a migratory bird pathway, this trail offers great birdwatching opportunities. If you are looking for solitude, try sitting on the park bench under the giant cottonwood along the trail. Visitors to the Perea Nature Trail may look to the southwest over the Rio Salado riverbed to view an outstanding geologic setting. Blanco Mesa, known for its unusual white surface, is used as a creative backdrop for motion pictures and photography. The high rock formations with purple hues seen in the distance are part of the Nacimiento Mountain chain and are some of the oldest rocks in the area.

Bird's eye view of the park

Perea Nature Trail

The San Ysidro Trials Area is a very unique destination where trials riders,
mountain bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts come to enjoy beautiful scenery and
technical recreation activities. Stone badland features are widely spread
within the area and create distinctive topographies, such as the delicate
ecosystems of tinajas. Tinajas**** are naturally formed stone bowls that fill
with water during the monsoon season and from snow melt. These pools provide
an oasis for migratory birds, game species, and many other microorganisms.

The San Ysidro Trials Area is a very unique destination where trials riders, mountain bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts come to enjoy beautiful scenery and technical recreation activities. Stone badland features are widely spread within the area and create distinctive topographies, such as the delicate ecosystems of tinajas. Tinajas are naturally formed stone bowls that fill with water during the monsoon season and from snow melt. These pools provide an oasis for migratory birds, game species, and many other microorganisms.

San Ysidro Trials Area

Tucked away in rugged and scenic country southwest of the community of San
Ysidro, New Mexico, is the White Ridge Bike Trails Area. Just to the west is
the newly designated Ojito Wilderness. Both sites are a short distance from
U.S. 550. This region is known for its geological, cultural and
paleontological resources, as well as for its scenic qualities. The bike trail
crosses a landscape of spectacular beauty and exceptional geology, meandering
through the Pueblo of Zia, State of New Mexico, and public land managed by the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM has obtained rights-of-way from the
Pueblo and the State to provide this biking experience. Although the Trails
have been developed primarily for mountain biking, hikers are welcome on the
entire trail system, and one segment is also open to equestrian use.

White Ridge is named for the color of the gypsum that forms much of the mesa
and the majority of the bike trails. Gypsum is a white mineral consisting of
hydrated calcium sulfate and is commonly used in cement, plaster and
fertilizer. This gypsum formed as a chemical reaction from evaporation of an
ancient water body. In other words, the Ojito area was once covered with
water! At the western edge of White Ridge, the Tierra Amarilla Anticline forms
high, narrow mesa ridges. This classic example of a plunging anticline is
visited by several university field schools each year.

Fossil remains of rare dinosaurs, plants, and trees from the Jurassic period
are located in the Morrison Formation. Natural erosion processes have exposed
the bones of huge dinosaurs and large segments of petrified trees. These
fossils are approximately 150 million years old! The longest dinosaur ever
recovered, Seismosaurus, was discovered only a few miles west of the bike
trails area in what is now the Ojito Wilderness. Paleontologists and
geologists use this great variety of life to construct geologic timelines and
interpret climate changes over the earth's history. Please leave these objects
in place.

Tucked away in rugged and scenic country southwest of the community of San Ysidro, New Mexico, is the White Ridge Bike Trails Area. Just to the west is the newly designated Ojito Wilderness. Both sites are a short distance from U.S. 550. This region is known for its geological, cultural and paleontological resources, as well as for its scenic qualities. The bike trail crosses a landscape of spectacular beauty and exceptional geology, meandering through the Pueblo of Zia, State of New Mexico, and public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM has obtained rights-of-way from the Pueblo and the State to provide this biking experience. Although the Trails have been developed primarily for mountain biking, hikers are welcome on the entire trail system, and one segment is also open to equestrian use. 

White Ridge is named for the color of the gypsum that forms much of the mesa and the majority of the bike trails. Gypsum is a white mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulfate and is commonly used in cement, plaster and fertilizer. This gypsum formed as a chemical reaction from evaporation of an ancient water body. In other words, the Ojito area was once covered with water! At the western edge of White Ridge, the Tierra Amarilla Anticline forms high, narrow mesa ridges. This classic example of a plunging anticline is visited by several university field schools each year. 
 
Fossil remains of rare dinosaurs, plants, and trees from the Jurassic period are located in the Morrison Formation. Natural erosion processes have exposed the bones of huge dinosaurs and large segments of petrified trees. These fossils are approximately 150 million years old! The longest dinosaur ever recovered, Seismosaurus, was discovered only a few miles west of the bike trails area in what is now the Ojito Wilderness. Paleontologists and geologists use this great variety of life to construct geologic timelines and interpret climate changes over the earth's history. Please leave these objects in place.

White Ridge Bike Trails

The Ojito WSA is located adjacent to, and is under consideration for addition
to, the Ojito Wilderness. Please visit the Ojito Wilderness webpage for more
information: www.blm.gov/nm/ojito.

The Ojito WSA is located adjacent to, and is under consideration for addition to, the Ojito Wilderness. Please visit the Ojito Wilderness webpage for more information: www.blm.gov/nm/ojito.

Ojito Wilderness Study Area

The Ojito Wilderness is a desert landscape of steep-sided mesas, rocky
terraces, retreating escarpments, box canyons, deep meandering arroyos, and
austere badlands. Bands of multi-colored shale, sandstone, and limestone draw
attention to cliff sides. Occasional badland settings, with their unusual
hoodoos (weathered rock in the form of pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, and other
unusual forms), accent the landscape. Piñon and juniper are dotted throughout
the Wilderness, and rare stands of ponderosa pine can be found tucked into
shady recesses.

The Ojito Wilderness is a desert landscape of steep-sided mesas, rocky terraces, retreating escarpments, box canyons, deep meandering arroyos, and austere badlands.  Bands of multi-colored shale, sandstone, and limestone draw attention to cliff sides.  Occasional badland settings, with their unusual hoodoos (weathered rock in the form of pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, and other unusual forms), accent the landscape.  Piñon and juniper are dotted throughout the Wilderness, and rare stands of ponderosa pine can be found tucked into shady recesses.

Ojito Wilderness Area

Jemez Canyon Dam, is located within the boundaries of the Santa Ana Pueblo
Indian Reservation. Please observe and obey all Pueblo regulations. Do not
trespass on lands closed to the public. Jemez Canyon Dam, administered by the
Cochiti Lake Project Office, is a small reservoir with picnic and overlook
facilities. There is no access to the water. It is located approximately 15 mi
form I-25 to exit 242, W on Hwy 44 to Jemez Canyon Road.

Jemez Canyon Dam, is located within the boundaries of the Santa Ana Pueblo Indian Reservation. Please observe and obey all Pueblo regulations. Do not trespass on lands closed to the public. Jemez Canyon Dam, administered by the Cochiti Lake Project Office, is a small reservoir with picnic and overlook facilities. There is no access to the water. It is located approximately 15 mi form I-25 to exit 242, W on Hwy 44 to Jemez Canyon Road.

Jemez Canyon Dam

The Cabezon WSA is located in the northwestern part of the New Mexico and
consists of a large volcanic plug - a steep-sided symmetrical neck of volcanic
rock. At an elevation of 7,785 feet, this is the largest of a series of
volcanic plugs in this area and is one of the most well-known landmarks in
northwest New Mexico. This peak is a favorite among climbers. Basic mountain
climbing experience and proper gear, including a helmet, are needed, but most
will not choose to use a rope on the common route. A successful climb to the
summit will reward you with an expansive view of the Rio Puerco Valley.

The Cabezon WSA is located in the northwestern part of the New Mexico and consists of a large volcanic plug - a steep-sided symmetrical neck of volcanic rock. At an elevation of 7,785 feet, this is the largest of a series of volcanic plugs in this area and is one of the most well-known landmarks in northwest New Mexico. This peak is a favorite among climbers. Basic mountain climbing experience and proper gear, including a helmet, are needed, but most will not choose to use a rope on the common route. A successful climb to the summit will reward you with an expansive view of the Rio Puerco Valley.

Perea Nature Trail

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Nearby Parks

San Ysidro Trials Area

White Ridge Bike Trails

Ojito Wilderness Study Area

Ojito Wilderness Area

Jemez Canyon Dam

Cabezon Wilderness Study Area