Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, peach building with a green roof
Visitor Center Closed

The Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is closed for renovations.  For more information call 505-425-3581.  

The Las Vegas (Spanish for “the meadows”) National Wildlife Refuge has many unique features that make it a valuable sanctuary for the natural resources of the southwest and the people of New Mexico. The gently rolling prairies of the east abruptly meet the rugged terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Creston, gravel-capped mesas and buttes on the west, and the deep, narrow river canyons of the Gallinas River and Vegosa Creek on the south. The distinct landscape, diversity of biological communities, and secluded location are inherent characteristics that contribute to the area’s value as a natural preserve.

Latest News

Desert Tortoise walking in the desert
Endangered Species Act
Fourth annual “Desert Tortoise Week” kicks off in October
Multiple government agencies and conservation organizations throughout the range of the Mojave desert tortoise are partnering to raise awareness and promote recovery of one of the desert’s most iconic species through a series of events starting Oct. 1, 2022.
A small white, black and gray bird perched on a tiny branch in a tree with brown leaves
Recreation
Why I Took These Shots #10
This is one in a series of articles in which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff members reflect on favorite photos they have taken at national wildlife refuges. It features refuge manager ANNA WEYERS BLADES and Rio Mora National National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in New Mexico.
Large numbers of snow geese fly out at sunrise into an orange sky reflected in the water below at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.
Wildlife Wonders
Bird Festival Planner
For a wonderful nature show, it’s hard to beat a bird festival. Some of the best bird fests occur at or near national wildlife refuges. That’s not surprising, given that these public lands are such birdy places.
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Visit Us

National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.  

The Other Las Vegas!  What happens here, stays with you!  Come rejuvenate your soul by enjoying nature at Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, located in the State of New Mexico, Land of Enchantment! Enjoy hiking trails, an 8 mile scenic auto tour loop drive, and an observation deck lookout for wildlife watching. The views are magnificent at this beautiful Refuge! What happens here, you will want to share with Everyone!  

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Spanish for ‘the meadows,’ Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge’s history dates as far back as 8,000 BC when early North Americans inhabited the high plains area. 

      Strategically located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the edge of El Llano Estacado, the 8,672-acre refuge overlaps three unique landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains and eastern prairies. 

      What We Do

      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. 

      Our Species

      The sandhill cranes arrive in the fall as they migrate to their winter home. Bald eagles, northern harriers, and American kestrels are frequently sighted soaring above the refuge scanning the grasslands for prey or attracted to the hundreds of ducks and geese on the refuge’s open waters. Migrating shorebirds like long-billed dowitchers and sandpipers, probe the mudflats in early fall and spring. In the woodlands, wild turkeys wander in search of a meal and on the prairies. Rocky Mountain elk blend into the grasses, home to badgers and ground squirrels.