Santa Fe Trail
Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, NM

Situated on the Great Plains where the prairie meets the Rocky Mountains, Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge is made up of native grasslands, croplands, marshes, ponds, timbered canyons and streams that provide habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Las Vegas (Spanish for the meadow) is as rich in history as New Mexico itself. Native Americans used the area for hunting, camping, and picking wild fruit. Coronado's journey into the southwest brought a Spanish influence and culture that is as prevalent today as it was 300 years ago. The rock corrals and division fences of the small "ranchitos" that dotted this country during that era can still be seen on the Refuge.

The Continental Divide lies west of the refuge and the Chihuahuan desert lies to the south. The influence from both of these natural features contributes to a wide variety of plant and animal life present on the refuge year round.

Because the refuge is within the Central Flyway, a variety of migratory birds use the area including sandhill cranes, long-billed curlews, rough-legged hawks, and numerous shorebirds. Winter residents include bald eagles, Canada and snow geese, and 21 species of ducks. Other wildlife common to the area include golden eagle, prairie falcon, mule deer, antelope, badger, coyote, and bobcat.