About Cebolla Wilderness Area
The 61,600-acre Cebolla Wilderness is made up of sandstone mesas, canyons, and grassy valleys. Juniper and piñon dominate, and ponderosa pine is found on north-facing slopes. Vertical escarpments provide excellent nesting habitat for golden eagles, prairie falcons, red-tail hawks, and great horned owls. The Cebolla Wilderness is rich in prehistoric archaeological sites, petroglyphs, and historic homesteads. One notable archaeological site is the Dittert Site. Sometime between A.D. 1000 and 1300, the Dittert Site was built and inhabited by the ancestors of modern Pueblo Indian people. The Cebolla Wilderness also contains La Ventana Natural Arch, a dramatic arch sculpted through wind and water erosion in the sandstone cliffs. The Wilderness is located within the El Malpais National Conservation Area. The establishment of a Wilderness Area (Wilderness) identifies an area Congress has added to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The BLM manages these areas to ensure their unique wilderness characteristics, primitive recreation opportunities, solitude, and mostly undeveloped areas are protected. Learn more about Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas.
How to Get There
The Cebolla Wilderness is 20 miles south of the El Malpais Ranger Station (BLM) in Grants, NM. Exit the Ranger Station, turn left onto NM – 117 E, and drive for 17 miles. Turn left and travel straight for 3 miles. There will be a small sign marking the start of the wilderness on the right. Lobo Canyon Trail From I-40, drive 26 miles south on NM Hwy 117 to Cebolla Canyon Rd. Drive approximately 5 miles (passing Sand Canyon Rd. at approximately 3 miles) to a parking area on the right side of the road. The trailhead is on the north side of the road and leads to a petroglyph area.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Cebolla Wilderness Area
Heading to Cebolla Wilderness Area? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Cebolla Wilderness Area?
No central reservation system listed for Cebolla Wilderness Area. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/13363) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Cebolla Wilderness Area?
The Cebolla Wilderness is 20 miles south of the El Malpais Ranger Station (BLM) in Grants, NM. Exit the Ranger Station, turn left onto NM – 117 E, and drive for 17 miles. Turn left and travel straight for 3 miles. There will be a small sign marking the start of the wilderness on the right. Lobo Canyon Trail From I-40, drive 26 miles south on NM Hwy 117 to Cebolla Canyon Rd. Drive approximately 5 m…
How do I contact Cebolla Wilderness Area?
You can reach the park at phone: 505-761-8700 or email: blm_nm_comments@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
