The Sierra Ladrones WSA is located in west-central New Mexico. It rises
precipitously out of the Rio Grande Valley on the east and from mesa
grasslands and piсon-juniper woodland on the north, west, and south. The area
is highly scenic and contains the Rio Salado creek in the south. The diverse
topography includes high mountain peaks, isolated canyons, and badlands. There
are no designated trails; however, hikers who find their way to the top of
Ladrones Mountain are rewarded with panoramic views.

The Sierra Ladrones WSA is located in west-central New Mexico. It rises precipitously out of the Rio Grande Valley on the east and from mesa grasslands and piсon-juniper woodland on the north, west, and south. The area is highly scenic and contains the Rio Salado creek in the south. The diverse topography includes high mountain peaks, isolated canyons, and badlands. There are no designated trails; however, hikers who find their way to the top of Ladrones Mountain are rewarded with panoramic views.

Bird's eye view of the park

Sierra Ladrones Wilderness Study 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 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

Sierra Ladrones Wilderness Study Area

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

San Lorenzo Canyon

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge