San Lorenzo Canyon

Socorro Field Office, 901 S. Highway 85
Socorro, NM 87801

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.

Directions

The site is northwest of Socorro and about 5 miles northwest of Lemitar, NM. The area can be reached by taking the western frontage road north from Lemitar (along I-25) and driving about 5 miles. At that point, you follow a maintained dirt road west which will take you to the main canyon.