About Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
Located in northeastern New Mexico at an elevation of 6050’, Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 3,699 acres of short-grass prairie, playa lakes, woodlots, wetlands, and crop fields. The refuge sits in an open basin surrounded by high mesas to the northeast and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west. Since 1965 this landscape has been managed for the benefit of wildlife and has provided feeding and resting habitat for migratory birds. Approximately 2,800 acres of the lands that make up Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge are owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are made up of 23 tracts of land purchased from willing landowners under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. An additional 907 acres are leased from the Vermejo Conservancy District in the form of the playa lakes on the refuge (Lakes 12,13 and 14). Prior to European colonization and the National Wildlife Refuge, the lands making up the refuge and surrounding Colfax County were a source of food and an area of trade for several Native American nations, including the Comanche, Apache, Kiowa, and Ute. Evidence of European settlement still exists on the refuge and around the surrounding area. Remnants of the Santa Fe Trail are within two miles of the refuge boundary. Beginning in 1821, the 900-mile trail served as the main trading route for western settlers between Missouri and Santa Fe for more than 60 years.
How to Get There
From Albuquerque, drive north on I-25 and take the Maxwell Exit (426). Drive north 0.8 miles on State Highway 445. At the intersection of State Highways 445 and 505, drive 2.5 miles west. Turn north on Lake 13 Road at the refuge entrance sign and drive 1.25 miles to the refuge visitor center. The distance is 200 miles and the estimated driving time is 3 hours and 15 minutes. Froom Denver drive south on I-25 and take the Maxwell Exit (426). Drive north 0.8 miles on State Highway 445. At the intersection of State Highways 445 and 505, drive 2.5 miles west. Turn north on Lake 13 Road at the refuge entrance sign and drive 1.25 miles to the refuge Visitor Center. The distance is 247 miles and the estimated driving time is 3 hours and 48 minutes. Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge is located at Latitude N 36.57143 and Longitude W -104.57945.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge? 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 Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1505) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge?
From Albuquerque, drive north on I-25 and take the Maxwell Exit (426). Drive north 0.8 miles on State Highway 445. At the intersection of State Highways 445 and 505, drive 2.5 miles west. Turn north on Lake 13 Road at the refuge entrance sign and drive 1.25 miles to the refuge visitor center. The distance is 200 miles and the estimated driving time is 3 hours and 15 minutes. Froom Denver drive sou…
How do I contact Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 505-375-2331 or email: NNMNWRC@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
