The 16,030-acre Sabinoso Wilderness is a remote area in the northeastern portion of New Mexico. The Wilderness includes a series of high, narrow mesas surrounded by cliff lined canyons. Elevations range between 4,500 and 6,000 feet above sea level. The rugged country primarily supports piñon pine and juniper woodlands and occasional clusters of ponderosa pine, with a perennial warm season grass savanna on the mesa tops. Streams periodically flow in the canyon bottoms, supporting riparian vegetation including willow and cottonwood. The large deep canyon area surrounded by the wide open New Mexico plains is unique for this region. The deep incisions cut by Cañon Olguin, Cañon Largo, and Lagartija Creek create a striking topographical and geological contrast in this otherwise flat terrain.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the Sabinoso Wilderness to preserve its wilderness character - untrammeled, natural, and undeveloped, with outstanding opportunities for solitude or primitive types of recreation. Wilderness areas are managed in a manner that will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment of these values.
Activities
Primitive types of recreation, such as hiking, backpacking, camping, wildlife viewing, photography, and horseback riding are allowed, however there is currently no public access to the wilderness.
Facilities
No facilities are present for access to the wilderness or within the wilderness.
Location & Access | Location Map
The Wilderness is located in San Miguel County eight miles northeast of Trujillo, NM, 20 miles northwest of Conchas Reservoir, and one mile west of the town of Sabinoso, NM. The Sabinoso Wilderness is surrounded by private land with no public access through it. Please respect private property and do not trespass on private land.