Bosque del Apache National
Wildlife Refuge lies between the Chupadera and San Pascual Mountains in
south-central New Mexico. During the winter, tens of thousands of
snow geese seek refuge here and an estimated 18,000 sandhill cranes
descend on the refuge's cornfields The Bosque del Apache Festival
of the Cranes,
held each year in November, celebrates the cranes return with guided
tours, exhibits and workshops.
Cottonwood
and willow trees line the
nine miles of Rio Grande River running through the refuge, and Bosque's
riparian habitat, meadows and man-made impoundments attract 377 species
of birds - making Bosque one of the premier birding hotspots in North
America.
You
can tour Bosque by car on a twelve mile loop tour (with optional
shorter loops available.) and can stop at optional handicap
accessible
viewing platforms. Refuge
staff also maintain butterfly gardens and
hummingbird feeders at the visitor center and park store.
WHERE
TO STAY AND
EAT:
Lodging is available in Socorro or San Antonio, New Mexico: Socorro
Chamber of Commerce Lodging Guide.
The
Birdwatcher's RV Park offers camping near the refuge. For
beef-eaters, the Owl Bar
and Cafe in San Antonio
specializes in green chili cheese burgers.
HOW
TO GET THERE:
From Socorro, New Mexico, drive south on I-25
to exit 139 at San Antonio. Take route 380 east for 1/2 mile and
then follow State Highway 1 south for 8 miles to the refuge entrance.
