Visit Us
National Wildlife Refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.
A 2-mile round trip hiking trail (overlooking the Mora River) is a fantastic way to experience the refuge. Currently, wildlife observation and photography are conducted along the Loma Parda County Road and State Highway 161. Public access is limited to the Juniper Trail, county road, state highway, and special events on refuge.
If you need to conduct business with the refuge or are planning to stop by the refuge office, you are encouraged to call ahead and make an appointment. Call 505-398-6481 for an appointment.
Fees
There is no charge to visit.
Restrooms
There is a vault toilet at the Juniper Trail parking area.
What to Do
If you have 15-minutes:
- Juniper Trail 0.25 mile walk
If you have one hour:
- Juniper Trail 2.25 mile hike
If you have half a day or more:
- Juniper Trail 2.25 mile hike
- Visit Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge and Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
Know Before You Go
When planning a trip to the Refuge, it is important to wear appropriate footwear, sturdy shoes for land excursions and to dress for the weather.
Consider bringing:
- Water
- Food
- Binoculars
- Field guides
- A hat
- A Walking stick
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Anything else that might make your outdoor experience safer and more enjoyable
NOTE: Most of the refuge has little to no cell phone service; therefore, visitors should leave a hiking plan with someone else.
Visitor Tips
The weather can quickly change. Be prepared for strong winds, sudden rain, and both cold and hot temperatures.
Activities
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 provides further guidance for management decisions, including the determination of compatible uses on refuges. This act identifies six priority wildlife dependent recreational uses that include hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation. On Rio Mora, the staff strives to allow as many of these compatible uses we can allow while also prioritizing our wildlife and habitat.
Trails
Juniper Trail
*Bison are free roaming. For your safety and theirs, do not approach them.
Location: From Interstate I-25 take exit 364 and turn west onto Highway 161. 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 take Highway 161 east 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°)
Open Season: Open year round, ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Not open to biking or horseback riding.
Length: 2 1/4 miles
Route Type: Lollipop trail - A trail with a loop at the end of an out-and-back start/finish.
Surface: Natural surface - Dirt, Gravel, Rock
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail configuration: Information: The Juniper trail winds through several types of habitat, including shortgrass prairie, piñon/juniper, oak, and coniferous forests.
Pets must remain leashed at all times.
When planning a trip to the Refuge, it is important to wear appropriate footwear, sturdy shoes for land excursions and to dress for the weather.
Consider bringing:
- Water
- Food
- Binoculars
- Field guides
- A hat
- A walking stick
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Anything else that might make your outdoor experience safer and more enjoyable
NOTE: Most of the refuge has little to no cell phone service; therefore, visitors should leave a hiking plan with someone else.
Related Documents
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 161 Welcome Area. The refuge entrance gate is open Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-4:30pm. We may be out on the refuge so please call ahead 505-248-6453 and make an appointment. (N 35.836465°, W105.048749°)
To get to the Juniper Trail parking area: Take exit 364 and turn west onto Highway 161.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 guards 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 161 Welcome Area. The refuge entrance gate is open Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-4:30pm. We may be out on the refuge so please call ahead 505-248-6453 and make an appointment. (N 35.834030°, W 105.078270°)
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 guards 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°)
Other Facilities in the Complex
Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area is a part of a three-refuge complex. This National Wildlife Refuge complex is the Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex and shares staff between all three refuges spanning about 16,000 acres.
Rules and Policies
Welcome to your National Wildlife Refuge. Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area has many areas that are closed to the public thought out the year, and the Juniper Nature Trail for visitors to enjoy an in-depth look at the closed refuge. To help protect and minimize disturbance to wildlife and its habitat, the refuge has other rules and regulations regarding activities on the refuge. To learn more about permitted activities, pick up a refuge brochure when visiting or call us at 712-388-4800 with any questions.
Refuge Hours:
- The refuge is open ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
Refuge Access:
- The Juniper Nature Trails is open year-round.
Alcohol:
- Possession or use of alcoholic beverages while hunting is prohibited.
Additional Regulations:
- More information about these activities is available at the visitor center and on our website
- Fishing is not permitted on the refuge
- Dogs must always remain on leash when present on the refuge
- Camping and overnight parking are not allowed on the refuge
- Collecting, picking up, or disturbing plants, animals, rocks, or artifacts on the refuge is not allowed
- The use of drones is not allowed on the refuge
- Hiking is allowed year-round on designated trails
- Photography is allowed year-round in all areas open to the public
- Commercial activities require a special use permit
- All firearms are prohibited
- All fireworks are prohibited
- All intoxicants are prohibited
- All alcohol consumption is prohibited
Locations
Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, established in 2012, 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 support a wide range of animal and plant life, including some endangered species. The refuge partners with many organizations and facilitates research, restoration and education.
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°)