We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
San Antonio
Log in Join
More
    Help Centre

    Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

    451 Reviews
    #1 of 2 things to do in San Antonio
    Features Animals
    Nature & Wildlife Areas, Nature & Parks
    1001 State Highway 1, San Antonio, NM 87801
    +1 505-835-1828
    Website
    Save
    All photos (270)
    Full view
    Certificate of Excellence
    Review Highlights
    “the Bosque in April”

    It’s pretty quiet here in April compared to the winter months. The snow geese and cranes are gone... read more

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Cynthia H
    ,
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    via mobile
    “Nice place to stop along the way - historical and GREAT visitors center”

    Clean and well maintained facility with natural beauty. Nice to see water, green grass & trees... read more

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Masch40
    ,
    Alamogordo, New Mexico
    Read all 451 reviews
    Map
    Satellite
    Map updates are paused. Zoom in to see updated info.
    Reset zoom
    Overview
    More
    Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to provide "a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife" and to develop wintering grounds for greater sandhill cranes, which were then endangered.Located on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert, the 57,331-acre refuge straddles the Rio Grande approximately twenty miles south of Socorro, New Mexico. The heart of the refuge is 8,000 acres of floodplain where the waters of the Rio Grande have been diverted to create extensive wetlands and agricultural lands. The rest of the refuge is made up of arid foothills and mesas, which rise to the Chupadera Mountains to the west and San Pascual Mountains to the east. Most of these arid uplands are preserved in three Wilderness Areas.Bosque del Apache means "woods of the Apache," named for the Apaches that routinely camped in the riverside forest. Today, Bosque del Apache is known as one of the most spectacular refuges in North America. Each autumn, tens of thousands of birds - including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese and ducks - make the refuge their winter home. The air is filled with honking of geese and guttural call of cranes. Flocks of snow geese abandon their feeding grounds when frightened by a stalking coyote or eagle. At dusk, flights of geese and cranes return to roost tin the marshes or on the Rio Grande. In the summer, Bosque del Apache, thought quiet, remains an oasis for diversity of wildlife, both in the riparian areas and surrounding arid uplands.

    About Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

    Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to provide "a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife" and to develop wintering grounds for greater sandhill cranes, which were then endangered.Located on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert, the 57,331-acre refuge straddles the Rio Grande approximately twenty miles south of Socorro, New Mexico. The heart of the refuge is 8,000 acres of floodplain where the waters of the Rio Grande have been diverted to create extensive wetlands and agricultural lands. The rest of the refuge is made up of arid foothills and mesas, which rise to the Chupadera Mountains to the west and San Pascual Mountains to the east. Most of these arid uplands are preserved in three Wilderness Areas.Bosque del Apache means "woods of the Apache," named for the Apaches that routinely camped in the riverside forest. Today, Bosque del Apache is known as one of the most spectacular refuges in North America. Each autumn, tens of thousands of birds - including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese and ducks - make the refuge their winter home. The air is filled with honking of geese and guttural call of cranes. Flocks of snow geese abandon their feeding grounds when frightened by a stalking coyote or eagle. At dusk, flights of geese and cranes return to roost tin the marshes or on the Rio Grande. In the summer, Bosque del Apache, thought quiet, remains an oasis for diversity of wildlife, both in the riparian areas and surrounding arid uplands.
    4.5
    451 reviews
    • Excellent81%
    • Very good14%
    • Average3%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travellers talk about
    “sandhill cranes” (137 reviews)
    “visitor center” (52 reviews)
    “red tailed hawks” (5 reviews)
    Closed Now
    Hours
    Hours Today: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
    LOCATION
    1001 State Highway 1, San Antonio, NM 87801
    CONTACT
    Website
    +1 505-835-1828
    Improve This Listing
    Write a ReviewReviews (451)
    Traveller rating
    Traveller type
    Time of year
    Language
    All reviews
    "sandhill cranes"
    in 137 reviews
    "visitor center"
    in 52 reviews
    "red tailed hawks"
    in 5 reviews
    "bring binoculars"
    in 8 reviews
    "water birds"
    in 6 reviews
    "tens of thousands"
    in 9 reviews
    "mule deer"
    in 14 reviews
    "bird watchers"
    in 5 reviews
    "flight deck"
    in 11 reviews
    "early spring"
    in 9 reviews
    "canada geese"
    in 9 reviews
    "quail"
    in 9 reviews
    "auto tour"
    in 11 reviews
    "golden eagle"
    in 5 reviews
    "the loop"
    in 12 reviews
    "dawn and dusk"
    in 7 reviews
    "beautiful drive"
    in 5 reviews
    Filter

    1 - 10 of 444 reviews

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile
    the Bosque in April

    It’s pretty quiet here in April compared to the winter months. The snow geese and cranes are gone but there are white faced ibis and waterfowl migrating through. It’s a peaceful place and worth the visit

    Ask Cynthia H about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank Cynthia H
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Nice place to stop along the way - historical and GREAT visitors center

    Clean and well maintained facility with natural beauty. Nice to see water, green grass & trees after harsh desert terrain from the East & South. The visitors center was informative and the gift shop was very nice. Enjoyed the audio tour around the refuge and...More

    Ask Masch40 about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank Masch40
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    A Top Ten NWR

    The fame of the Bosque del Apache NWR is well deserved. This large and very well run National Wildlife Refuge draws visitors and birders from all over the nation, and the world. The refuge features an excellent visitors' center with helpful and informative volunteers and...More

    Ask EasternWillotts about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank EasternWillotts
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    See more reviews
    Reviewed 16 March 2018
    Missed the cranes

    Interesting area, but right now there are only ducks. It is still nice to drive around the loops. The refuge is well maintained, but in some areas the weeds have grown to hide the views.

    Ask Starviagera about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank Starviagera
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 20 February 2018 via mobile
    What a resource...

    Though we came in the dead of winter, we were impressed with the refuge and how it was being maintained for the wildlife. Saw many types of waterfowl, unfortunately, we were too late in the season to view the sandhill cranes. In addition to the...More

    Ask Joyce H about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank Joyce H
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 13 February 2018
    Best Part of my Trip

    Just spent a week in New Mexico and the day I spent here was far and away the best. I visited at the worst part of the day in the off season and there were still tons of birds. So many different birds I don't...More

    Ask eedoonan about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank eedoonan
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 8 February 2018 via mobile
    Fantastic for Sand Hill cranes

    This is our third time here & we’ve never been disappointed. 3 year ago we stopped, the cranes & snow geese had already migrated, but still worth the trip. This time, it was incredible!! What an experience, so worth it. We saw 1,000’s of cranes,...More

    Ask Bill Lori B about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank Bill Lori B
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 7 February 2018 via mobile
    Birds are fabulous

    The cranes are plentiful this year and very active. The snow geese crossed us up. Some have started to leave early due to warm weather. Go north to bernardo refuge for daytime viewing. When the geese flew out en mass they did so before sunrise...More

    Ask azgoblue about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank azgoblue
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 29 January 2018 via mobile
    If Your A Wildlife Photographer or Birder, Go Here!

    This is about my sixth time visiting. It’s always amazing and different each time. Thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes this time of year. Very helpful visitor center with Ranger, nice gift shop. There is an entrance fee, but not if you have a...More

    Ask PasssionateTraveler about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    1  Thank PasssionateTraveler
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 24 January 2018 via mobile
    Perfect Conditions Notwithstanding Government Shutdown

    This is our second trip to the Bosque and what a treat it was. We arose early, headed to the North Loop and weren't disappointed. What was so special about this special preserve is how helpful the Rangers were who answered the phone and provided...More

    Ask Chuck533 about Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Thank Chuck533
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    123456…45
    Nearby
    Nearby HotelsSee all San Antonio Hotels
    Gazelle Stay
    13 reviews
    43.94 km away
    Economy Inn
    41 reviews
    45.25 km away
    Days Inn Socorro
    176 reviews
    45.39 km away
    Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
    280 reviews
    45.60 km away
    Nearby Restaurants
    Buckhorn Tavern
    296 reviews
    32.12 km away
    Bodega Burger Co.
    323 reviews
    45.50 km away
    Owl Bar Cafe & Steakhouse
    280 reviews
    32.22 km away
    El Camino
    312 reviews
    45.59 km away
    Nearby Attractions
    National Radio Astronomy Observatory
    253 reviews
    45.65 km away
    Elephant Butte Lake State Park
    178 reviews
    57.09 km away
    Concho Hills Guest Ranch
    14 reviews
    61.81 km away
    Ask a question
    Questions & Answers
    See all 11 questions
    jorebecca
    27 March 2018|
    AnswerShow all 7 answers
    Response from alice w | Reviewed this property |
    The cranes fly in late October, early November. Check the website for the Festival of the Cranes, then go a week later to avoid the crowds in the hotels and restaurants.
    1
    Vote
    Thomas F
    14 December 2017|
    AnswerShow all 6 answers
    Response from GusMom99 | Reviewed this property |
    The largest numbers of birds will fly in from a half hour before sunset to a half hour after. Unlike the flyouts, especially for the Snow Geese, the birds don't come in in huge numbers all at once. Take time to enjoy the... More
    0
    Votes
    KatrinaPa
    9 October 2017|
    AnswerShow all 2 answers
    Response from Melissa E | Reviewed this property |
    Yes! Bosque del Apache is beautiful in the fall! Make sure you stop at the visitor's center. There might be a few Sandhills cranes there by then, too.
    1
    Vote
    1234
    Membership_Slide_Up_Placement_on_Attraction_Review
    Get 10% off your next tour or activity booking.
    Valid for new TripAdvisor sign-ups only.
    Join TripAdvisor