Hiking

Explore the refuge by hiking one of the six trails taking visitors through the Chihuahuan Desert and the pockets of wetlands that the wildlife call home. 

Bitter Lake Bike Trail – 2.11 miles

Butterfly Nature Trail - .41 miles. This trail, starting near the Visitor Center, is a mix milled asphalt, wooden steps, and grass with partial ADA compliance and an observation deck. With low difficulty many visitors can use this trail to view native vegetation including cacti, wildflowers, and shrubs. The trail loops down to an observation deck where visitors can view the wetland below the Visitor Center. Visitors can see dragonflies dipping into the water or small native fish darting through the spring waters. Keep an eye out for the quiet, elusive sora rail.

Desert Uplands Trail - .32 miles. This trail located three miles from the Visitor Center takes visitors on a tour of an assortment of native desert plant species, providing excellent cover for quail, pyrrhuloxia, and songbird viewing. Watch for surface grass, dirt and a slight uphill incline. 

Dragonfly Overlook Trail - .14 miles. Boasting the infamy of supporting the most diverse population of dragonflies and damselflies in North America, visitors can walk this trail less than a mile south of the Visitor Center to see the fast-flying invertebrates. Watch for grass and dirt surfaces on this easy short hike. 

Oxbow Trail – 2.18 miles. Located 4 miles from the Visitor Center, on the refuge Wildlife Drive, this trail encircles an old oxbow that was once part of the Pecos River. Use this trail to watch for waterfowl and wading birds, particularly in the fall when the adjacent wetland to the trail is flooding for migratory birds. During fall migration the trail is closed to visitors starting October 15th through the end of February, this trail is closed in the mornings on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until 1:00 p.m. Otherwise, it is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. 

Pajaro Observation Blind Trail - .13 miles. Leading to an enclosed viewing blind for birders to use, visitors can expect to watch a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl that migrate through or call the refuge home while they feed and preen in and on the edge of the water. Look for this blind on the east side of the refuge’s wildlife drive.