Socorro Attractions

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Each season, the Bosque del Apache offers unique bird and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Box Canyon Recreational Area

Box Canyon Recreation Area

Box Canyon is a popular site for camping, hiking, and rock climbing, and attracts both locals and knowledgeable visitors. Box Canyon is located approximately five miles west of Socorro off US 60.

City of Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex and Parks and Recreational Facilities

City of Socorro Parks and Recreation provides leisure activities for the entire family.

El Camino Real Historic Trail Site (Temporarily Closed)

El Camino Real Historic Trail Site is one of the most important legacies of the Spanish settlers, who arrived in New Mexico in 1598. The Site houses a theater, classroom, gift shop, outdoor patios, an amphitheater, and an observation deck.

El Camino Real National Scenic Byway

El Camino Royal de Tierra Adentro, The Royal Road to the Interior, threaded 1,500 miles northward from Zacatecas, Mexico to the far edges of known Spanish world.

Elfego Baca Heritage Park

Flanking the Plaza in Socorro’s historic district, the beautiful Elfego Baca Heritage Park is a great spot to learn about local history as it has several monuments relaying stories of Socorro, as well as a beautiful art history wheel.

Escondida Lake and Park

This lake park offers fishing and camping, RV hookups, tent sites, bathrooms and potable water.

Etscorn Observatory

The observatory is located on the New Mexico Tech campus.  On every 1st Saturday of each month you are invited to a Guided Night Sky Stargazing at the observatory. website  

red chile ristras

Farmers’ Market

Buy fresh, locally-grown produce direct from the farmer.

Fort Craig

Fort Craig, established in 1854, was one of the largest and most important frontier forts in the West and also played a crucial role in Indian campaigns and the Civil War.

Garcia Opera House

The Garcia Opera House is located at 110 Abeyta Avenue West in Socorro, NM. It is a National Historic Site and is owned and operated by the Garcia Opera House Foundation.

Ghost Towns of Socorro County

Ghost Towns found in Socorro County are Fort Craig, Kelly, Riley (Santa Rita), Rosedale and San Marcial. Articles Published by Paul Harden: Ghost Towns of Socorro County Part 1 Part 2 Ghost Town Guide

Gran Quivera

Gran Quivera

Part of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Gran Quivera was an important trade Center before and after the Spanish “entrada.” Apache raids, drought, and famine caused the Pueblo Indians to abandon the site in 1672.

Hammel Museum

The Hammel Museum started as a beer garden and, in the intervening century, became successively a brewery, an ice plant, a soda bottling plant, and finally ended as an active industry still making ice.

Historic Plaza: Kittrel Park

The idea of a plaza as a geographic center of a community dates back to ancient times, making Socorro’s Historic Plaza a testimony to historic custom and culture.

Isidro Baca Park

Flanking the Plaza in Socorro’s historic district, the beautiful Isidro Baca Park honors Socorroans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Johnson’s Hill (Gordy’s Hill OHV Area)

The 6,000-acre Gordy’s Hill Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area is a scenic dirtbike and ATV destination overlooking the Rio Grande Valley and Bosque with a tremendous variety of riding opportunities.

Joseph R. Skeen Library

More than 600,000 books, periodicals, government documents, microforms, maps, videos and computer files are held in the 54,000-square foot, three-story library building on the northeast corner of the Tech campus.

Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA)

The Very Large Array (VLA) comprises 27 radio telescopes in a “Y” pattern spread across the plains of San Agustin 50 miles west of Socorro.

Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex: Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area

The Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex contains four wildlife management areas in Valencia and Socorro Counties.

Macey Center

The spectacular Macey Center houses art of all kinds. Home to the New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series it is host to live performances from national acts which hail from all over the country.

Mineral Museum

The Mineral Museum houses the collection of 15,000 mineral specimens and was assembled to assist with the education of the engineers and geologists.

Mission Churches of Socorro County

Beginning in the 1500’s Spanish colonists journeyed up the Rio Grande Valley and established settlements and mission churches along the way.

New Mexico Tech

New Mexico Tech is an undergraduate and graduate university specializing in science and engineering education and research.

duck pond at New Mexico Tech

New Mexico Tech Duck Pond

A great place to get back to nature right in the middle of town. The New Mexico Tech Duck Pond is the perfect place for you.

New Mexico Tech Golf Course

New Mexico Tech Golf Course

Enjoy golfing at the golf course of NM Tech, sporting an 18-hole championship layout of rolling hills, dramatic elevation changes, and dynamic views of the Rio Grande Valley.

New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series

A slate of high-quality touring performances – popular and classical music, theater, dance and family entertainment – held in the intimate Macey Center Theater on the New Mexico Tech campus.

Quebradas Back Country Byway

Enjoy biking at the scenic mountain bike trail, with many trail options. Cerrillos del Coyote Loop is a popular route taken by the Cerrillos del Coyote Mountain Bike Race.

Rio Grande and Socorro County Riverine Parks

The Rio Grande is a spectacular sight! Socorro County is blessed with fifteen (15) riverine parks and hiking trails, including Island Riverine Park located at the east end of town at the end of Otero Street.

San Lorenzo Canyon

Hike and explore the plant and animal life of the Chihuahuan Desert at the photogenic San Lorenzo Canyon. Located north of Socorro on I-25, exit 163 in San Acacia.

San Marcial

San Marcial is a small town about 30 miles south of Socorro. San Marcial was once home to over 2,500 people.

San Miguel Mission

The historic church celebrates its 400th Anniversary in 2015. Located a few blocks from the Plaza, the original mission was built between 1615 and 1627.

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

Sevilleta Refuge, begun in 1973, is managed as nearly as possible to its natural state. Visitors Center and hiking trails are open to the public.

Socorro Community Theater

The Socorro Community Theatre usually produces two fall shows per year, one in the fall during Festival of the Cranes, and another in spring/summer.

Alamo Gallery & Gifts

Socorro County Arts Gallery

Socorro County Arts is dedicated to promoting the visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and creative crafts in Socorro County, New Mexico.

famous New Mexican Chile grown in Socorro

Socorro County Chile Growers

There is nothing better than fresh New Mexico chile produced in the rich farm lands of the Rio Grande, and the Socorro area has many local family farmers who raise more than five varieties of green chile.

Socorro Fat Tire Trails

Mountain bikers will find that Socorro is a gateway to all year adventure.

Socorro Visitors Center

Socorro Heritage Museum

The mission of the City of Socorro Heritage and Visitor Center is to create a publicly owned facility to preserve, display, and maintain valuable items of historical significance; therefore, our heritage.

Socorro Historical District Scenic Byway

The history of Socorro is told in its architecture, and the Socorro Historical District Scenic Byway is the visual embodiment of that history.

Socorro Landing: A UFO Story

Read about one of the best-documented UFO sightings in U.S. history – an event that was witnessed by City of Socorro Police Officer Lonnie Zamora, and investigated by many top scientists.

Socorro Nature Area

Nestled behind the farms of Lemitar just north of Socorro, the Socorro Nature Area is a hidden gem and pure beauty.

Trinity Site

The first atomic bomb was tested at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time on July 16, 1945 at Trinity Site.

Contact Us

Contact the Socorro Heritage and Visitors Center before or during your visit to our area! We have brochures and other information on the area, and can answer any questions. 575-835-8927