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National wildlife refuges offer us a place to deepen our connection with nature, ourselves and our communities, families and friends.
Driving Directions
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
7851 2nd St. SW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87105
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is located in the South Valley 5 miles south of downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Driving
From Interstate 25 northbound/southbound:
Take Rio Bravo exit 220. Head west on Rio Bravo. Turn left (south) onto 2nd street. Follow 2nd street 3.5 miles south to Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge located on the right (west side) of 2nd street.
From downtown Albuquerque:
Travel south on 2nd street past Rio Bravo, Prosperity Ave. and Desert intersection. Turn left (west) into refuge entrance. Follow signs to visitor center parking lot.
Biking
From the Paseo del Bosque Trail:
Travel south on the Paseo del Bosque trail to the southern diversion channel. Turn left (east) and follow the southern diversion channel to 2nd street. Turn right (south) onto the 2nd street bike path located on the east side of road. At the Desert intersection cross the road and continue onto the 2nd street bike path on the west side of the road. Turn right (west) into the refuge. Follow bike path to the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge visitor center. Bike racks and repair station located west of visitor center.
Fees
There no charge to visit.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available in the visitor center breezeway. Restrooms are open during refuge property hours of operation one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.
Points of Interest
Stop by the refuge visitor center Tuesday through Saturday 9 am to 4 pm to talk to staff and volunteers to plan your visit. Enjoy the exhibit hall!
Free Electric Shuttle
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge offers a free electric shuttle service that can take up to 9 visitors at a time on a route around the refuge with a stop at the Rio Grande Bosque on the west side of the refuge. Visitors can hop off to explore State Lands Office Bosque property trails adjacent to the refuge then walk or catch the next shuttle back to the visitor center, or stay on the shuttle for a loop tour of the refuge.
The shuttle is operated by volunteers and runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets for visitor center departure times are available at the welcome desk in the visitor center to reserve a spot. Please see below for the most recent schedule:
*Wednesdays starting April 3rd
- 9:30 AM- Depart Visitor Center
- 9:50 AM- Stop at Bosque
- 10:15 AM- Return to Visitor Center
- 10:45 AM- Depart Bosque
- 11:05 AM- Return to Visitor Center
- 11:30 AM- Depart Visitor Center
- 11:50 AM- Stop at Bosque
- 12:15 PM- Return to Visitor Center
*April 10th- service starts 11:30 AM
*April 17th- no shuttle service
Saturdays starting April 6th
- 9:30 AM- Depart Visitor Center
- 9:50 AM- Stop at Bosque
- 10:15 AM- Return to Visitor Center
- 10:45 AM- Depart Bosque
- 11:30 AM- Depart Visitor Center
- 11:50 AM- Stop at Bosque
- 12:15 PM- Return to Visitor Center
- 1:05 PM- Depart Bosque
- 1:25 PM- Return to Visitor Center
- 1:30 PM- Depart Visitor Center
- 1:50PM- Stop at Bosque
- 2:15 PM- Return to Visitor Center
What to Do
If you have 15-minutes:
- Stop by our visitor center exhibit hall and environmental justice resource library
- Walk around the pond loop south of the visitor center
- Watch birds, wildlife and spend time with friends on the refuge patio.
If you have one hour:
- Walk the mural loop south of the visitor center
- Walk the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro trail south of the visitor center.
If you have half a day or more:
- Walk designated trails and road on the east side of the refuge property.
Know Before You Go
Prepare for your visit by packing supplies in a bag. The following suggested items will keep you comfortable and safe when you’re outside:
- Jacket
- Full water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Closed-toe shoes
- Cell phone
You might also want:
- Backpack
- Bug spray
- Personal medications
- Binoculars
- Portable first aid kit
- Sunglasses
Check out the Friends of Valle de Oro Nature Store if you need supplies. The welcome desk may have items you can borrow.
Visitor Tips
Before you plan any outdoor activity, check the weather. You should also check with staff for any closures on the refuge.
Make sure that you know who to call in an emergency.
Emergency: 911
Refuge front Desk: 505-248-6667
Non-Emergencies: Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department 505-798-7000.
Get to know the wildlife
Please keep a safe distance between yourself and any wildlife you see here. You might see coyotes, geese, hawks, hummingbirds, or dragonflies, to name a few! Use binoculars for safe viewing and to avoid disturbing them. You may see more of an animal’s natural behavior and activity this way. If you cause an animal to move, you are too close! You can borrow binoculars from the welcome desk inside the visitor center.
Activities
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge welcomes a diversity of visitor activities including: bicycling, bird watching, photography, horseback riding, dog walking, hiking, jogging, picnicking, education, and interpretation. Please read the descriptions of the uses to enjoy your visit.
Trails
Pond Loop
Open Season: Open year round.
Length: 0.25 mile
Location of trail: Located near the Refuge visitor center
Surface: Gravel
Difficulty: Grade: 3.5%, cross slope: 1%, width 6 feet
Uses: This trail is for pedestrian use only.
This trail provides a loop around the education pond with group gathering areas, which provide views and interpretive panels.
Mural Loop
Open Season: Open year round.
Length: 1 mile
Location of trail: Located near the Refuge visitor center
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Grade: 3.5 % slope 1%, width 10-15 feet
Uses: This trail is for pedestrian use only.
Camino Real del Tierra Adentro
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 1.5 miles
Location of trail: South of the visitor center.
Surface: Dirt and gravel
Difficulty: Grade: 3.5%, cross slope: 1%, width 10 feet
Uses: This trail is for pedestrian use only.
North Field Loop - CLOSED due to construction, expected to reopen March 2023
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 1.5 miles
Location of trail: north of Visitor Center
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Grade: 0%, cross slope: 1%, width 10-15 feet
Uses: This trail is open it pedestrians, jogging, bicycling, horseback riding, and dog walking.
Heads north from the visitor center around the old alfalfa fields.
Bosque Loop
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 2.5 miles round trip
Location of trail: West of Visitor Center
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Grade: 0-10%, cross slope: 1%, width 15-20 feet
Uses: Open to pedestrians, jogging, biking and dog walking (dogs must be on leash). Horseback riding allowed only on south side of the loop.
Information: Our longest trail provides an overview of the refuge, crossing our storm water swale and going through our bosque extension plantings, where volunteers, local youth crews and local school groups have planted thousands of cottonwoods and willows in an effort to extend bosque habitat onto the old farmland of the refuge. The trail also provides access to the Rio Grande bosque trail network beyond refuge property. Certain sections of this trail may be closed at times due to habitat restoration.
Related Documents
Rules and Policies
Help us keep Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge safe and fun for everyone. Please stay safe and have fun!
- Keep all pets on a 6 foot non-retractable leash and on designated trails at all times.
- Firearms and other weapons are not allowed in refuge buildings.
- Discharge of firearms is strictly prohibited.
- Hunting, fishing and trapping is not allowed on refuge lands. Activities that use birds of prey, such as falconry, are also not allowed.
- Do not feed wildlife on the refuge.
- Do not release any animals on the refuge.
- Please do not smoke within 25 feet of refuge buildings.
- Please stay on designated trails or roads at all times.
- Camping or overnight parking on the refuge is not allowed.
- Commercial activities on the refuge are only allowed with a valid special use permit issued by refuge management.
- Use of uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones) and remote-controlled aircraft or vehicles on the refuge is not allowed.
- We do not allow entering or remaining on the refuge when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Please keep balloons and kites at home.
- Keep sports items home, such as soccer balls, Frisbees, etc.
Locations
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
7851 2nd St. SW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87105
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is located in the South Valley 5 miles south of downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Driving
From Interstate 25 northbound/southbound:
Take Rio Bravo exit 220. Head west on Rio Bravo. Turn left (south) onto 2nd street. Follow 2nd street 3.5 miles south to Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge located on the right (west side) of 2nd street.
From downtown Albuquerque:
Travel south on 2nd street past Rio Bravo, Prosperity Ave. and Desert intersection. Turn left (west) into refuge entrance. Follow signs to visitor center parking lot.
Biking
From the Paseo del Bosque Trail:
Travel south on the Paseo del Bosque trail to the southern diversion channel. Turn left (east) and follow the southern diversion channel to 2nd street. Turn right (south) onto the 2nd street bike path located on the east side of road. At the Desert intersection cross the road and continue onto the 2nd street bike path on the west side of the road. Turn right (west) into the refuge. Follow bike path to the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge visitor center. Bike racks and repair station located west of visitor center.