Socorro Nature Area Trail and Activities Guide

Welcome to an unique ecosystem in the United States, the cottonwood-willow bosque (“bosque” is Spanish for “river forest”). In New Mexico, the bosque consists of a narrow ribbon of green, nearly continuous for over 150 miles along the Rio Grande, from Cochiti Reservoir near Santa Fe to Elephant Butte Reservoir near Truth or Consequences. The Socorro Nature Area allows you to enjoy the ever-changing environment of the bosque. By the end of your journey, you will discover why this area plays such an important role in our ecosystem. Along the trail, take a moment to stop, listen and smell. Do you smell the sweet fragrance of alfalfa growing in the adjacent field or the warm scent of the mesquite bush that grows along this bosque? Maybe you hear the sounds of lizards rustling underneath the dry leaves. How many different bird melodies do you hear? In the bosque area, bird-watching can be very productive depending on the season. Pay close attention to your surroundings and you may be surprised at what you see!