Programs Overview

BLM NEW MEXICO WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS

There are 57 BLM-managed Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) in New Mexico, totaling 958,751 acres.  WSAs are roadless areas that have been inventoried and found to have wilderness characteristics.  The Federal Land Policy and Management Act directed the BLM to identify its roadless areas and study them for their suitability for preservation as Wilderness.  The study of BLM lands in New Mexico was completed and a recommendation provided in September of 1991.  WSAs are managed so as not to impair their suitability for preservation as wilderness until Congress decides to permanently protect them as Wilderness, or release them from WSA status to non-wilderness uses.  

In New Mexico, you will find WSAs in almost every corner of the State.  Recreational uses in WSAs include activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, backpacking, camping, nature study, photography, and rock climbing. Motorized and mechanized (e.g. mountain bike) activities may also occur in WSAs only as limited to existing routes; WSAs are not places where development or promotion of motorized or mechanized recreation occurs.

Featured Wilderness Study Area: Organ Mountains WSA 

Winter at the Organ Mountains. Photo by Lisa Phillips.

Part of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, the Organ Mountains WSA is located in south-central New Mexico on the eastern edge of Las Cruces. The Organ Mountains range from 4,600 to just over 9,000 feet, and are so named because of the steep, needle-like spires that resemble the pipes of an organ. Alligator juniper, gray oak, mountain mahogany and sotol are the dominant plant species here, but in the upper elevations stands of ponderosa pine may be found. Seasonal springs and streams occur in canyon bottoms, with a few perennial springs that support riparian habitats. Wildlife includes desert mule deer, mountain lion, a variety of song birds, and a race of the Colorado chipmunk. The WSA includes the Baylor Pass National Recreation Trail.

BLM New Mexico Wilderness Study Areas

A complete list of the BLM NEW MEXICO wilderness study areas is below:

  • Aden Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area
  • Ah-shi-sle-pah Wilderness Study Area 
  • Alamo Hueco Mountains Wilderness Study Area 
  • Antelope Wilderness Study Area
  • Apache Box Wilderness Study Area 
  • Big Hatchet Mountains Wilderness Study Area 
  • Blue Creek Wilderness Study Area 
  • Brokeoff Mountains Wilderness Study Area 
  • Cabezon Wilderness Study Area 
  • Canyons Wilderness Study Area 
  • Carrizozo Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area 
  • Cedar Mountains Wilderness Study Area 
  • Chain of Craters Wilderness Study Area 
  • Chamisa Wilderness Study Area 
  • Continental Divide Wilderness Study Area 
  • Cooke's Range Wilderness Study Area 
  • Cowboy Spring Wilderness Study Area 
  • Culp Canyon Wilderness Study Area 
  • Devil's Backbone Wilderness Study Area
  • Devil's Den Canyon Wilderness Study Area 
  • Devil's Reach Wilderness Study Area 
  • Eagle Peak Wilderness Study Area 
  • El Malpais Wilderness Study Area 
  • Empedrado Wilderness Study Area 
  • Florida Mountains Wilderness Study Area 
  • Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area 
  • Gray Peak Wilderness Study Area 
  • Guadalupe Canyon Wilderness Study Area 
  • Horse Mtn. Wilderness Study Area 
  • Hoverrocker Wilderness Study Area 
  • Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area 
  • Jornada del Muerto Wilderness Study Area 
  • La Leña Wilderness Study Area 
  • Las Uvas Mountains Wilderness Study Area 
  • Little Black Peak Wilderness Study Area
  • Lonesome Ridge Wilderness Study Area 
  • Manzano Wilderness Study Area 
  • Mathers Wilderness Study Area 
  • McKittrick Canyon Wilderness Study Area
  • Mesita Blanca Wilderness Study Area 
  • Mount Riley Wilderness Study Area 
  • Mudgetts Wilderness Study Area 
  • Ojito Wilderness Study Area 
  • Organ Mountains Wilderness Study Area 
  • Organ Needles Wilderness Study Area  
  • Peloncillo Mountains. Wilderness Study Area 
  • Peña Blanca Wilderness Study Area 
  • Petaca Pinta Wilderness Study Area 
  • Presilla Wilderness Study Area 
  • Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area 
  • Robledo Mountains Wilderness Study Area 
  • San Antonio Wilderness Study Area
  • Sierra de las Cañas Wilderness Study Area 
  • Sierra Ladrones Wilderness Study Area 
  • Stallion Wilderness Study Area 
  • Veranito Wilderness Study Area 
  • West Potrillo Mountains Wilderness Study Area
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