Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we ask that you recreate responsibly.

  • Check alerts and local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information. Operations vary based on local public health conditions.
  • Consistent with CDC recommendations, all visitors (age 2 and older), who are fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask inside of federal buildings in areas of substantial or high community transmission.. All visitors who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick and continue to watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance on how to protect yourself and others.


Features

  • Refuge Specific Closures

    The refuge has temporarily changed operations in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Some areas are closed to the public.

    Refuge Alerts

  • Frequently Asked Questions: Drought

    Where is the water? The ongoing drought is affecting where and how much water may be found at Bosque del Apache.

    Frequently Asked Questions: Drought 2021-2022

  • Plan Your Visit

    Start planning your visit to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge!

    Plan Your Visit

Other Information

Managed Change to support an Endangered Species

Changes are happening all around Bosque del Apache! Learn about one long-term project to support an endangered species.

Managed Change to Support an Endangered Species

Online eBird Observation Entries

Great horned owl / © Bernadette Madison, USFWS

As you plan your visit to the Middle Rio Grande Valley and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, you may be interested in which species of birds have been observed in the area. The citizen science site ebird.org is a great resource for up-to-date bird sighting lists. As you explore the site, you may uncover a trove of other useful information about birds and bird sightings that will allow you to predict which bird species you may see on the refuge during a given season.

Online eBird Observation Entries

Band Number: 599-05468

Sandhill crane / © Angela Dedrickson, USFWS

This band was worn for 36 and a half years by a Rocky Mountain sandhill crane (RMSH). It is one of the oldest RMSHs known and the band it wore had limited wear for all that time in the wild. The bird was banded with its brood mate (a two-chick brood) on 29 June 1973, one mile north of Border, Wyoming on the Thomas Fork of the Bear River.

Frequent Flyer Miles
CHANGE IN OPERATIONS

Change in Operations

Desert Cottontail

Bosque del Apache has temporarily changed its operations as of November 1, 2021 in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Please check the Refuge Alerts for updates.

Refuge Alerts

About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
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