Established as a peacekeeping presence on the banks of the Rio Grande in 1865, Fort Selden played an integral role in protecting settlers and travelers in what are now the central and southern parts of New Mexico. During the 1880’s, Fort Selden housed multiple members of US Infantry and Cavalry, and...

The Gila Lower Box Canyon is a true oasis in the desert, 20 miles north of Lordsburg, New Mexico. Since livestock has been prohibited in the river canyon since 1990, the canyon has grown into a lush thicket of cottonwood, willows, and other riparian vegetation. The area provides some of the best bir...

From surrounding flat country, spectacular granite and limestone ridges and rock formations rise up to encircle a secluded bowl of land called the Granite Gap near the Arizona border. The area is an excellent example of Chihuahuan desert vegetation. Look for flowering ocotillo, cactus, agave and wil...

A remnant of an ancient volcanic explosion, Kilbourne Hole was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1975. This crater can be found in a desert basin between the Potrillo Mountains and the Rio Grande in southern Dona Ana County. Kilbourne Hole is roughly elliptical in shape, and is known as a Ma...

The mining town of Lake Valley was founded in 1878 after silver was discovered. Almost overnight, the small frontier town blossomed into a major settlement with a population of 4,000 people. Today, silver mining has played out and all that remains is a ghost town. BLM has restored the schoolhouse an...

Las Palomas Marsh is a natural area that is protected and managed for aquatic and riparian habitat. Depending on water levels, the area offers good shore and marsh birding; desert scrub bird species are numerous in the winter. You can also walk to the Rio Grande/Caballo Reservoir (depending on water...