New Mexico's Scenic Park On The Rio Grande Has Desert Forests, Nature Trails, And The State's Best Birdwatching

One of the things that's so extraordinary about New Mexico is how starkly different its landscapes are. You can walk along arid, juniper grasslands one day and stroll through lush riverlands along the Rio Grande the very next. Alpine conifers and desert basins reside in the north, where you can find stunning lakes surrounded by New Mexico mountains. In other words, the state's outdoors are a wildly dynamic hodgepodge. The Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is a microcosm of New Mexico's diverse ecosystems, standing at the intersection of forests along the Rio Grande and the Chihuahuan Desert. Riparian vegetation, cattail marshes, and scrubland mark the trails, and there are even sandy areas.

The park may sound like it's far-flung and remote, but the 305-acre park is less than a 10-minute drive west of the town of Mesilla. The proximity doesn't take away from the rural feel at the park, though. Native trees and desert plants like cacti, featherdales, and red yucca thrive there, while a network of nature trails takes you through riverside forests. The park boasts bird-watching opportunities galore, with the potential for more than 30 species sightings per day. Keep your binoculars zoomed in for exciting birds such as hummingbirds, roadrunners, and black-crowned night herons, among others.

For a bit more geography, the Rio Grande hugs Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park's eastern side, while the Chihuahuan Desert — where you can find the City of Rocks, volcano-forged rock monoliths — stretches from the other. You can delve right into the park's nature vibes at the visitor center's well-maintained garden, where, aside from the aforementioned plants, there are also cottonwood, white acacia, prickly pear, and Texas beargrass. Depending on the season, you'll also see flowering plants along the park's nature trails, which are described as nice, easy, and rustic.

The over two miles of trails can be explored with a booklet and traverse the restored wetlands and the river, winding through the "bosque," which means forest. It's fine to explore on your own, or you can do a ranger-led tour. Park rangers are happy to tell you all about the park, as well as its conservation and restoration efforts. While you can't bike on the trails, your pooch can accompany you as long as it stays leashed.

Leashed dogs are probably a relief to the abundance of birds that flock to Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park — and by abundance, that means far more variety than the thousands of sandhill cranes you can see each year while birding in Socorro, an underrated New Mexico desert town. The park has been designated as an Important Birding Area by the National Audubon Society, and the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society offers bird walks there. To get the most out of your birding adventures at the park, it's important to know that each bird has its season. Waterfowl and raptor birds can be found in winter, while blue grosbeaks, yellow-billed cuckoos, and killdeer can be spotted in summer.

While the park sees mostly out-of-state tourists, with visitor numbers ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 annually, the park is becoming more popular with locals. It's possible to bike from Mesilla, and you can park your bike at the provided bike rack. Wildlife sightings have included gray foxes, coyotes, javelinas, and bobcats, so keep that in mind if you want to snap some shots or otherwise be cautious.

As a part of ongoing conservation and restoration efforts, students and scientists monitor the water quality and the well-being of the ecosystem at the park. Future plans for the park involve redirecting a section of the Rio Grande, similar to its route from years ago. The park's hours are Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There are restrooms, picnic shelters, and an amphitheater.

Both New Mexico residents and non-residents are welcome, and there is a small fee per car for parking. If you're feeling hungry after a day of nature exploring, head back into town to Cafe de Mesilla. The historic adobe building serves delectable regional dishes for breakfast and lunch, such as scrambled eggs with special toppings, pork stewed in red chile, and green chile chicken.