Visit USA > New Mexico > Southwest

New Mexico's Southwest Region, home to the first designated wilderness in the country, offers boundless opportunities to enjoy the state's natural landscape and exhilarating history. The Gila Wilderness, established in 1924, influenced notable individuals such as Aldo Leopold - the conservationist whose efforts helped secure the Gila Forest wilderness area as a protected space - and courageous Apache chief Geronimo. Visitors journey in a land of cacti, junipers, pine, aspens, black bears, mountain lions, elk and wild turkeys while hiking, camping, birding or rafting in the Gila Mountains.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument affords sightseers a look at the homes of 13th century Mogollón Indians, who mysteriously abandoned these cliff dwellings in the early 14th century for reasons and parts unknown. More contemporary abandoned and historical communities abound in the region. Ghost towns like Shakespeare and Steins, and historic mining towns such as Mogollón, Kelly, Kingston and Chloride (where you can explore the Pioneer Store and Museum) are just a few such communities.

South of Socorro at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge a different type of community sets up residence according to the season. Each winter thousands of Arctic snow geese, dabbler ducks and sandhill cranes descend on the wetlands. Summer brings shorebirds, flycatchers and warblers. Year-round bosque birds include pheasants, turkeys, quail and roadrunners (New Mexico's state bird).

Just down the Rio Grande from Bosque del Apache likes the 40,000-acre Elephant Butte Lake State Park enclosing the 36-mile long body of water. A haven for boaters, swimmers, parasailers, jet skiers and water skiers, as well as campers, hikers and fishermen, the lake draws crowds for events such as fishing and golf tournaments, boat parades, hot-air balloon regattas and fireworks displays.