Come join the refuge and Friends of Bitter Lake for this free, fun for all 2025 Dragonfly Festival at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge for some great family fun starting Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. with a dragonfly presentation at the refuge Visitor Center, then join the Roswell Astronomy Club for starwatching through telescopes on the refuge Visitor Center deck at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, starting at 8:00 a.m. is the Dragonfly Festival and all of its Saturday activities (with early morning birdwatching tour at 6:30 a.m.), and the dragonfly tours continue through Sunday, September 7th. See festival schedule below.
Join professional dragonfly experts on a guided tour to learn about our many dragonflies and damselflies and experience up-close encounters with these fascinating insects as you search for some interesting captures! We have over 100 species that use the refuge! See below how you can reserve your tour.
Get an up-close look and learn about the many animals that call New Mexico home; learn about New Mexico rattlesnakes and raptors during our live programs on Saturday, September 6 at 11:00 a.m. (rattlesnakes, live demo) and 2:00 p.m. (raptors, live demo); join a wildlife biologist with a hands-on van tour and experience where many wildlife species call home. See below how you can reserve your van tour.
Join some of our local bird experts on an early guided tour Saturday, September 6 at 6:30 a.m. and discover some of over 350 bird species that visit the refuge. Named as "Wetlands of International Importance," Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge provides an outstanding bird watching opportunity for both beginning and experienced bird watchers. See below how you can reserve your tour.
Take part in some fun arts and crafts and make some dragonfly art, try archery; wander around in various exhibits and learn more about other refuges and our partners; sign up ahead of time to help release Monarch butterflies as they migrate to their overwintering grounds in Mexico (please call to reserve your spot; release is at Saturday, September 6, at 12:00 p.m.); or sit in on one of our live rattlesnake and/or raptor live programs on Saturday, September 6, in the refuge auditorium (rattlesnakes at 11:00 a.m. and raptors at 2:00 p.m.).
Boy Scouts and other vendors will be on hand for food and items for sale.
Thank you to all of our partners being involved! Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Guadalupe National Park, Friends of Bitter Lake NWR, Bosque del Apache NWR, Las Vegas NWR, Maxwell NWR, Rio Mora NWR, Valle de Oro NWR, Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recover Center (Dexter), New Mexico Game and Fish, BLM, Smokey Bear Historical Park, Living Desert Museum, Desert Willow Rehab, Boy Scouts, Roswell Astronomy Club, Home Garden Club, American Legion, and Leprino Foods; plus vendors.
Starting August 1st, call the refuge visitor center to reserve your advance spot on any of these guided van tours or to reserve a spot to help release a tagged Monarch butterfly (release will be at 12:00 p.m.) at 575-244-6256.
Friday September 5, 2025
Dragonfly Presentation in Refuge Auditorium, then Roswell Astronomy Club star watching after program
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - dragonfly presentation
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - star watching program
Saturday September 6, 2025
Early Bird Tour Saturday (starting August 1st, call to reserve your spot)
6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Guided Dragonfly Tours (starting August 1st, call to reserve your spot)
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wildlife Tours (first come, first served)
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
12:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday September 7, 2025
Guided Dragonfly Tours (starting August 1st, call to reserve your spot)
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.