Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

[kavm]

While on our way back from Big Bend to Salt Lake City towards the end of December, we are thinking of visiting Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wibcZH4f9kwhg9B66?g_st=ic

I am wondering if others have visited and can share some feedback. Is this an OK time to visit? Is there a campground anywhere nearby that you’d recommend?

We aren’t sure how we will return. If it is not too snowy (unlikely for that time of the year), we’d head NW through NM from Las Cruces and go back through Moab. Otherwise, we’d take I10 or I40 West to Las Vegas and take I15 North.

[MyronL]

For seeing wildlife it's hard to beat, especially for sandhill cranes, and thousands of snow geese. You can spend hours towing on its great drive-through road. There's a small RV campground a mile before the entrance but if you want to stay hooked up we overnighted at the WalMart in Socorro. about 22 minutes north.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by kavm

While on our way back from Big Bend to Salt Lake City towards the end of December, we are thinking of visiting Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wibcZH4f9kwhg9B66?g_st=ic

I am wondering if others have visited and can share some feedback. Is this an OK time to visit? Is there a campground anywhere nearby that you’d recommend?

We aren’t sure how we will return. If it is not too snowy (unlikely for that time of the year), we’d head NW through NM from Las Cruces and go back through Moab. Otherwise, we’d take I10 or I40 West to Las Vegas and take I15 North.

Another consideration for birds, particularly the Sandhill Cranes is Whitewater Draw off of AZ 80 / US Historic 80.

If you arrive early enough and are lucky, you can dry camp on the circle next to the parking, a short walk to the pond. Here is a couple of pages from my 2021 - 2022 trip journal.

[brroberts]

Lots of places to see lots of Sandhills cranes. They are always fun.

[SageRpod]

Highly recommend Bosque del Apache, especially in February for the Festival of the Cranes. Be advised dogs must stay in the vehicle at all times.

[CharlesinGA]

This series of blogs and very nice wildlife photos is about Bosque del Apache NWR. The author of the blogs was a member of the Winnebago View motor home group/forum and was a volunteer at the refuge on several occasions. She passed away in May of 2018 but her brother has kept the website and blogs online.

You may find some useful information to help make your decision.

https://winnieviews.blogspot.com/sea...que+del+Apache

At the bottom of each blog there is a Read More>> which will get you the rest of the blog and many more photos. Lynne was quite a wildlife photographer.

Charles

[kavm]

Thank you so much! I will look to get a place in the Chupadero campground. Very much looking forward to the visit. Looking at the links kindly shared here.

Many thanks!

[kavm]

One more question - what kind of temperature should we be expecting around Dec 30th? I know it depends upon the weather system at the time but I am wondering if booking a campground with hookups makes sense?

[SageRpod]

That time of year, expect lows in the mid 20's highs in the 40's. Being an El Nino year, it may be warmer and wetter.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by SageRpod

That time of year, expect lows in the mid 20's highs in the 40's. Being an El Nino year, it may be warmer and wetter.

Thank you so much! That’s very helpful. We might need to be prepared to dry camp.