Outdoor Activities
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Apache Kid Wilderness
Apache Kid Wilderness includes 44,650 acres of rugged canyons and peaks with 68 miles of often primitive trails provides high (and often dry) hiking, backpacking, horseback riding pleasures, and wildlife viewing – plus hunting in season.
Birding
Best in the state…best in the United States…Socorro may be the home of the best birding you’ll find anywhere!
Birding in Socorro (and Sierra) County
There are four different biolife zones in the neighboring counties of Socorro and Sierra, making for some of the best birding in the state! We hope our birding map and site descriptions will come in handy when you’re in the area.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Each season, the Bosque del Apache offers unique bird and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Botany: Searching for the Native Plants of Socorro County
Socorro County is filled with unique and interesting native plant life.
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.
Camping: The Outdoors Up Close and Personal
If you love the feel of the earth, the smell of the pines, the beautiful night sky and just being up close and personal with the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! Socorro County offers prime camping real estate
Cibola National Forest
Cibola National Forest covers more than 1.9 million acres of western and southern New Mexico. The Magdalena Ranger District Office has maps and additional information.
Datil Well Recreation Area
Datil Well Campground is a great place for the family and includes 3 miles of hiking trails with views of the San Augustin Plains. Campgrounds include grills, fire pits, and trash cans.
Dirt Biking and ATVs: Riding the Back Country
Riding across the natural terrain on a dirt bike and/or ATV is pure exhilaration! Socorro County offers back country riding perfect for thrill seekers.
Escondida Lake and Park
This lake park offers fishing and camping, RV hookups, tent sites, bathrooms and potable water.
Exercise: Keeping in Shape
Socorro offers a wide variety of locations for you to keep in shape.
Frogging
Childhood fun is alive and well at the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge! The Refuge allows the seasonal capturing of bullfrogs. Enjoy the adventure and leave with a new friend!
Gila National Forest
The Gila National Forest, with its spectacular scenery, is one of the more remote and least developed National Forest in the Southwest and covers 3.3 million acres of publicly owned forest and range land.
Hiking and Mountain Bike Trails
Socorro County loves a good hike! You can take one of the many trails already in existence or rough it and create your own.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding across the beautiful terrain of Socorro County is truly magnificent. For organized fun Acacia Riding Adventures offers a wide array of rides through canyons, rivers and more! Areas such a Quebradas Back Country Byway and other Outdoor locations offer great riding as well.
Hunting
Hunters from all over the country descend upon Socorro County because of the unique hunting opportunities provided by our vast mountain ranges and refuges.
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.
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.
Photography: Chronicling the World Around Us
Socorro County is a giant photo opportunity! Overflowing with attractions and events of all kinds every day is a great day to snap a picture.
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.
Road Trips: Cruising Your Way Through Socorro County
One of the great things about Socorro County: you can do countless things in the comfort of your car!
Rock Climbing and Bouldering
Love the feeling of scaling the side of a cliff! Socorro County offers many areas with rock climbing and bouldering opportunities.
Rockhounding
Socorro County is a terrific place to explore for a variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils exposed at the surface.
Running: Getting Those Endorphins Going
Socorro County is the perfect place to get those endorphins going! Filled with spectacular geography you will always find great places to run.
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.
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 Fat Tire Trails
Mountain bikers will find that Socorro is a gateway to all year adventure.
Socorro Nature Area
Nestled behind the farms of Lemitar just north of Socorro, the Socorro Nature Area is a hidden gem and pure beauty.
Water Canyon Campground
A favorite way to get back to nature! Water Canyon offers hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and camping at the foot of the Magdalena Mountains. Everything you need just 21 miles west of Socorro on US 60.
Withington Wilderness
Seldom-visited 18,869-acre Withington Wilderness area ranging between 6,800 and 10,000 foot elevations has few trails. Located in the northeastern area of the San Mateo Mountains, Withington Wilderness includes hiking, backpacking, hunting, and wildlife viewing.