Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, established in 2012 through a land donation, is located in the transition zone between the Great Plains and the Southern Rocky Mountains. The refuge contains 4,224 acres of shortgrass prairie, riparian wetlands, piñon/juniper, oak, and coniferous forests all surrounding a meandering five miles of the Mora River. This variety of habitat supports a wide range of animal and plant life, including endangered species. The refuge partners with many local and state organizations to facilitates research, restoration and education.
First Day Hike

Join our refuge rangers to see closed areas of the refuges within the Northern NM Refuge Complex! For more information about our first day hikes please click here.

Hikers in warm clothes hiking the Juniper Trail led by a refuge ranger.
First Day Hikes
Join refuge rangers and volunteers to hike different parts of the Northern NM Refuge Complex!

Visit Us

Scenic view from the Juniper Trail overlook
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National Wildlife Refuges offer all visitors a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. 

Explore our Juniper Trail, a 2-mile round trip hiking trail (overlooking the Mora River) that can be accessed from County Road 016 (Loma Parda County Road). Wildlife observation and photography can be conducted along the Juniper Trail, Loma Parda County Road and State Highway 161. Public access is limited to the Juniper Trail, county roads, state highways, and special events on refuge. 

Driving Directions

From Interstate 25: 

To get to the Rio Mora Administrative Office: Take exit 364 and turn west onto Highway 161. Go about 5 miles west on Hwy 161. Near mile marker 16 there is the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area Main Welcome Area. 

To get to the Juniper Trail parking area: continue on the NM 161 road 5.5 miles until you see a gravel road going north (County Road 016-Loma Parda County Road). Cross the cattle guard and continue down Loma Parda County Road approximately 1 mile until you get to the Juniper Trail parking lot. (N 35.834030° W 105.078270°)

From Highway 518:  

To get to the Rio Mora Administrative Office: Take Highway 161 west from Buena Vista. Go about 16 miles east on Hwy 161. Continue on the NM 161 road 16 miles until you see a double cattle guard and gravel road going north, this is the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area Main Welcome Area.

To get to the Juniper Trail parking area: Take Highway 161 west from Buena Vista. Continue on the NM 161 road 14.5 miles until you see a gravel road going north (County Road 016-Loma Parda County Road. Cross the cattle guard and continue down Loma Parda County Road approximately 1 mile until you get to the Juniper Trail parking lot. (N 35.834030° W 105.078270°)

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      The Mora River. Rocks are in the river and green vegetation is on the sides
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      Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, established in 2012 through a land donation, is located in the transition zone between the Great Plains and the Southern Rocky Mountains. The refuge contains 4,224 acres of shortgrass prairie, riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       wetlands, piñon/juniper, oak, and coniferous forests all surrounding a meandering five miles of the Mora River. This variety of habitat supports a wide range of animal and plant life, including endangered species. The refuge partners with many local and state organizations to facilitates research, restoration and education.

      What We Do

      A small white, black and gray bird perched on a tiny branch in a tree with brown leaves
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      The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge.