Visit
Hours
Open daily- 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Please visit the Valle de Oro website for the most up-to-date visitor information.
The Visitor Center is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-4pm. The Nature Store is open 10am-4pm.
Visiting Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
From experiencing and learning about the annual migration of birds to taking a hike through the Bosque, there are many ways to discover nature at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge. You can visit the Refuge to see wide open spaces occupied by seasonal wildlife including migrating and nesting birds, coyotes, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. We are working to engage our community as the Refuge transitions from alfalfa fields to a premier environmental education and outdoor recreation facility.
Stop by the Visitor Center during your visit to meet some of the Refuge volunteers and staff.
Currently, you are welcome to hike, drive, bike, walk your dog, or ride horses along the farm roads and the ditch banks. At the southwest corner of the property you can access the Rio Grande Valley State Park, hike in the Bosque, fish in the Riverside Drain, and walk to the Rio Grande.
While exploring the refuge, there are a few safely precautions to keep in mind
Stay on the roads. Please drive slow and respect other road users. Be mindful of farming and wildlife.
Keep dogs on a leash at all times. Keeping your dog on a leash prevents them from startling sensitive wildlife on the refuge.
Pick up after your dog. Please bring your own clean up bags. Leaving your dog’s waste severely contaminates the water after rains. All storm water drains into the Rio Grande River—keep our river clean!
If you see something unlawful, please contact the Refuge Manager. Take note of the date, time, and location of the unlawful activity. Call 505-248-6667.
For all emergencies please dial 911. For non-emergencies contact Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department 505-798-7000