Bosque del Apache
San Antonio, NM 87832
Plan Your Visit
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.
Know Before You Go
The refuge is at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert at an elevation of about 4,500 feet. Days are usually sunny, and a temperature change of 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more between dawn and noon is common. Thus, water, a hat and other sun protection, plus layers of clothing that can be added and removed, are recommended. Insect repellant is recommended spring through fall.
Camping and overnight parking on the refuge are not allowed.
You are welcome to unhitch and use your tow vehicle on the Scenic Drive, but it is not required. The visitor center parking lot can accommodate motor homes as well as cars. Parking is available at each of the trailheads.
Restrooms
Flush toilets are located adjacent to the visitor center. Flush toilets are open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Vault toilets are located at the parking lots for the Flight Deck and the Rio Viejo/Bike Trails.
Points of Interest
The Visitor Center and Nature Store are a great place to begin upon your arrival. The Scenic Drive is open every day from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset (year-round), and is approximately 12 miles long..
Fees can be paid via cash, check, or credit card at the refuge. All proceeds are used to maintain and improve the visitor services program. Federal passes can be purchased at the visitor center or, seasonally, at the fee booth (cash or check only).
Entrance is free to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge with a Federal Recreation Lands Pass, which can be purchased at the visitor center or, seasonally, at the fee booth.
Activities
More Activities
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love.
Services
At Bosque del Apache, we offer public services including Special Use Permits for commercial, recreational, and research activities. Please allow at least 8 weeks for processing. We also offer Federal Recreation Passes for purchase at the visitor center.
About
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to restore the Rio Grande floodplains and provide a critical stopover for migrating waterfowl. Today, the staff manages water levels through a system of gates and ditches to recreate the seasonal wetlands and natural flooding cycles that native wildlife needs to thrive. The refuge encompasses 57,331 acres, including over 30,000 acres of designated wilderness, serving as a year-round or seasonal home to several threatened and endangered species.