The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Cabezon Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is preserved land that's owned and operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Since the BLM owns this area, it is open for the public to use and even stay at overnight for up to two continuous weeks. At this site, visitors can camp as well as hike, hunt, picnic, observe wildlife, and rock climb.
The Cabezon Wilderness Study Area is known for its Cabezon mountain peak, which reaches just over 7,700 feet. There are also a number of interesting areas in the Cabezon WSA formed by the eruption of the Mount Taylor volcano thousands of years ago. To the west of Cabezon Peak is the Mesa Crotalo, an area of open grasslands and sandstone mesas, and to the north is Mesa San Luis. Mesa Chivato, which rises over 8,000 feet and is covered in pine trees, is to the south, and the designated Ojito area, also known as Blanco Mesa, is to the east. This area is full of box canyons, badlands, and lush flora, and one of the world's largest recovered dinosaur skeletons was found there. Running through nearly every area is the Rio Puerco, which picks up drainages like La Cañada de la Leña, La Cañada Santiago, and Arroyo Chico from the Cabezon WSA.
The Paseo de la Mesa Trail in New Mexico is a multi-use trail that is wheelchair accessible. You can find benches and picnic areas along the trail.
Length: 8.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Open year-round, the Aldo Leopold Loop Trail is a mostly flat trail that takes hikers only about an hour to complete.
Length: 2.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
This flat trail is popular for hiking, biking, and horseback riding but is lengthy and sometimes crowded during the fall.
Length: 17.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Most mountain peaks in the Cabezon Wilderness Study Area are available for climbing; however, some of the sandstone peaks in the Ojito, Mesa San Luis, and Mesa Crotalo areas are red-taped and off-limits for climbing purposes in order to protect local raptor nesting. If you visit the Cabezon WSA, consider climbing the famous Cabezon peak for a spectacular view of the greater Rio Puerco Valley area. Whenever you climb in the Cabezon WSA, be sure to wear a helmet, as directed by the BLM.
The Cabezon Wilderness Study Area offers the most diverse habitat in New Mexico for native flora and fauna. In this WSA, you can find grasslands, desert lands, and forests, all supporting wildlife side by side. Since the Rio Puerco, which runs into the Rio Grande, passes through this wilderness area, there are a lot of creatures there that would otherwise find the arid land uninhabitable, like the 38 different types of amphibians and reptiles that call the area home.
Animals in the Cabezon WSA include the mountain lion, black bear, bobcat, gray fox, mule deer, pronghorn, prairie dog, badger, porcupine, and collared lizard. The endangered black-footed ferret also lives here, and some rare plants can be found, such as Knight's milkvetch, Wright's pincushion cactus, and grama grass cactus.
There are no designated picnic areas or shelters within the Cabezon Wilderness Study Area, but picnicking is still permitted. Consider bringing chairs or blankets and find a clear space away from wildlife for an enjoyable picnic. The grasslands in the west area of the Cabezon WSA are a popular place for picnicking.
The elk and deer herds in the Cabezon WSA draw many hunters to the area. All hunters with a valid New Mexico hunting license may use the Cabezon Wilderness Study Area in accordance with New Mexico's state rules and regulations. Hunters must avoid red-tape areas, which are protected raptor nesting spots.
When you're looking for BLM RV camping with easy access, consider staying at one of the organized Bureau of Land Management campgrounds near the Cabezon Wilderness Study Area, like Clear Creek Campground or San Antonio Campground, both of which have paved camping spots, potable water, and vault toilets. If you're looking for RV camping options with more hookups, try Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post, which has electricity, water, free Wi-Fi, and a hot tub. To find more camping options while you're in New Mexico, do a search for "BLM camping near me."
If you like primitive camping, the Cabezon Wilderness Study Area is a good option for Bureau of Land Management free camping. There are no fees to stay overnight in the WSA for primitive camping. Tent camping is the most common there, and RVs are welcome to stay, too. There are few roads in the Cabezon WSA, and all camping is dispersed with no marked campsites, so RVers may want to set up camp near the entrance. This area tends to have slippery roads during the winter and after rainfall, so plan your travel accordingly.
If you plan on camping in the Cabezon Wilderness Study Area, be sure to bring everything you need for your stay since there are no camping stores on the land. Since your stay will be primitive, be sure to bring your own water. You may also benefit from having a fire starter and fire supplies since controlled campfires are permitted.
When you visit a BLM-owned campground, you're putting yourself right in the middle of the United States' natural environment. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
You're asked to follow the BLM's Leave No Trace policy when visiting the Cabezon Wilderness Study Area. This policy requests that you help protect wildlife and the environment by keeping your distance from any animals and packing up all trash and belongings that you bring in with you to take back out again.
To reach the Cabezon WSA, start out on US 550 onto County Road 279, about 20 miles northwest of San Ysidro. Drive for 12 miles, and then turn onto BLM Road 1114, which will transition from pavement to dirt. Continue for 2.9 miles until the road becomes the trail entrance for the WSA.
Ready to visit Cabezon Wilderness Study Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
