Rio Bonito Petroglyph National Recreation Trail | New Mexico

The Rio Bonito Petroglyph National Recreation Trail is an easy-to-moderate excursion on a 2 1/2 mile loop running up the river from the trailhead to the Petroglyph Rock where visitors of another time left images of their Water God. Easy river access to Bonito Creek and its towering cottonwood, walnut, and oak trees. Trout fishing is good in the spring but creek dries up in summer.The trail can be reached from NM 220, west of the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport. Follow the highway signs stating "Upper Rio Bonito" to the bottom of the hill and turn left for approximately one mile until you reach the trailhead (high-clearance vehicles are recommended). The loop trail is approximately 2.1 miles in total length and is easy to moderate hiking with a few hills and areas with loose footing. Plan to spend approximately one hour on the trail.

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

The Rio Bonito Petroglyph Trail has no accessible features. It passes over and along natural contours, includes a primitive bridge and some rocky segments that require rock scrambling. Visitors must be able to walk or ride on horseback 2.5 miles up or downhill, across loose and rocky terrain, while ducking under trees when needed on a narrow trail.

Know Before You Go  

Fees 

  • None 

Facilities  

  • There is not potable water or restrooms along the trail.  

Nearby Amenities 

  • The nearest location to acquire food and gas is 15 miles away in Capitan, N.M.  

Seasons/Hours 

  • Open year-round 

Special Rules  

  • Petroglyphs and other signs of the past peoples of the land can be found along the trail.

    • Please be respectful and do not erase, cover, or add symbols to any of the petroglyph sites.
    • Leave any artifacts where you found them.  

  • No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail.  

  • Please make sure to carry out any litter or put it in the trashcans.  

  • No fireworks, discharge or use of firearms, or any other weapons. 

  • Pets must be on a 6-foot leash. 

 BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS 

  • N/A 

Wildlife in Area  

  • Mule deer 

  • Elk 

  • Great Horns 

  • Foxes  

  • Coyotes  

  • Badgers  

  • Cottontail  

Contact Us

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Activities

Iconograph of a fish head and a fishing hook on a line
FISHING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a person on horseback
HORSEBACK RIDING
Iconograph of a picnic table
PICNICKING

Addresses

Roswell Field Office
2909 W. Second Street
Roswell
New Mexico
88201

Geographic Coordinates

33.49425, -105.39095

Directions

From Capitan, NM, drive on US 380 east 4.25 miles to NM 220. From Lincoln, NM, drive west 7.7 miles to NM 220. Drive south one mile to the equestrian trailhead. The historic Fort Stanton is approximately one mile further on NM 220. BLM is investigating the opportunity to provide visitor services information about the NCA at Lincoln, Capitan, Ruidoso, and at the historic Fort Stanton.

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