Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, established in 2012, is located in the transition zone between the Great Plains and the Southern Rocky Mountains. The refuge is 4,224 acres and has shortgrass prairie, riparian wetlands, piñon/juniper, oak, and coniferous forests. Five miles of the Mora River meanders through the refuge. The variety of habitat support a wide range of animal and plant life. Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge partners with many organizations and facilitates research, outreach, interpretation and environment education.
Juniper Trial Closure Dec 16th, 2024

Due to a traditional bison harvest by the Pueblo of Pojoaque, the Juniper Trail at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge will be closed all  day, Monday December 16th 2024. IF you have any questions please contact the refuge at 505-248-6453. We are sorry for the inconvience at this time. 

Visit Us

Scenic view from the Juniper Trail overlook
Image Details

National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. 

A 2-mile round trip hiking trail (overlooking the Mora River) can be accessed from County Road 016 (Loma Parda County Road).  Wildlife observation and photography are conducted along the Juniper Trail, Loma Parda County Road and State Highway 161. Public access is limited to the Juniper Trail, county road, state highway, and special events on refuge. 

Driving Directions

From Interstate 25: 

To get to the Rio Mora Administrative Office: Take exit 364 and turn west onto Highway 161. Go about 5 miles west on Hwy 161. Near mile marker 16 there is the 161 Welcome Area. The refuge entrance gate is open Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-4:30pm. We may be out on the refuge so please call ahead 505-248-6453 and make an appointment.  

To get to the Juniper Trail parking area: continue on the NM 161 road 5.5 miles until you see a gravel road going north (County Road 016-Loma Parda County Road). Cross the cattle guard and continue down Loma Parda County Road approximately 1 mile until you get to the Juniper Trail parking lot.  (N 35.834030° W 105.078270°)

From Highway 518:  

To get to the Rio Mora Administrative Office: Take Highway 161 west from Buena Vista. Go about 16 miles east on Hwy 161. Continue on the NM 161 road 16 miles until you see a double cattle guard and gravel road going north, this is the 161 Welcome Area. The refuge entrance gate is open Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-4:30pm. We may be out on the refuge so please call ahead 505-248-6453 and make an appointment.  

To get to the Juniper Trail parking area: Take Highway 161 west from Buena Vista. Continue on the NM 161 road 14.5 miles until you see a gravel road going north (County Road 016-Loma Parda County Road. Cross the cattle guard and continue down Loma Parda County Road approximately 1 mile until you get to the Juniper Trail parking lot.  (N 35.834030° W 105.078270°)

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      The Mora River. Rocks are in the river and green vegetation is on the sides
      Image Details

      Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, established in 2012, is located in the transition zone between the Great Plains and the Southern Rocky Mountains. The refuge is 4,224 acres and has shortgrass prairie, riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       wetlands, piñon/juniper, oak, and coniferous forests. Five miles of the Mora River meanders through the refuge. The variety of habitat support a wide range of animal and plant life. Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge partners with many organizations and facilitates research, outreach, interpretation and environment education. 

      What We Do

      The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge.