Refuge Is Located Within Military Base-Restricting Access. No Public Access Available.
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge has restricted access onto the refuge, for safety and security concerns. The refuge is completely surrounded by and accessed through the 2.2 million acre Department of Defense, Department of the Army, White Sands Missile Range; which is the largest military installation in the United States.
We welcome you to the refuge office, located at 5686 Santa Gertrudis Dr., Las Cruces, New Mexico 88012. Please phone ahead of time to ensure that a refuge staff member is present to assist you. (575-382-5047)
Location and Contact Information
About Us
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge is part of the largest continuous and relatively undisturbed portion of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States. Established in 1941 to conserve desert bighorn sheep, the refuge occupies 57,215 acres in the southern end of the San Andres Mountains in south-central New Mexico. Its steep terrain and isolated springs provide unique habitat for a variety of wildlife. The refuge serves as a natural laboratory for a variety of research and management projects.
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 the nation’s wildlife resources and conserving the natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
Our Species
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge is home to a herd of desert bighorn sheep. Desert mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, gray fox, javelina, and a variety of migratory birds are among the most common species on the Refuge.
Get Involved
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge has regular opportunities for youth conservation corps members. Other volunteer opportunities are limited and irregular; contact the Refuge Manager at 575-382-5047 to find out about any current opportunities.