General
Bitter Lake NWR offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. The refuge is open year round during daylight hours (dawn to dusk). No entrance fee is required. Headquarters office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Restroom facilities are available at the headquarters office during open hours and are also available on the wildlife drive.

Hikers at Bitter Lake NWR Hiking
Four short (less than 0.5 miles each) and two longer (1.5 - 4 miles) hiking trails are available adjacent to the wildlife drive or Refuge headquarters. Also the entire north tract (12,160 acres) of the refuge, including the wilderness area, is open to hiking and horseback riding.

The refuge has several short hiking trails for visitors to explore:

• Butterfly Trail - This1/4 mile trail provides interpretive information about butterflies and landscaping to attract these beautiful insects.  A perfect location to view native vegetation.
• Oxbow Trail -  About 4 miles from the refuge headquarters office off the auto tour route.  Formerly connected to the Pecos River, this deep water channel is an excellent location for bird viewing (approx. 2 miles in length).
• Desert Upland Trail - this 1 mile trail takes you through an area that hosts an assortment of native plant species.  Shrubs and thicket areas provide excellent quail and songbird viewing.

Hunting
Waterfowl, sandhill crane, quail, dove, pheasant and deer hunting are available at the refuge. Contact the refuge for updated hunting regulations and season dates at (575) 622-6755 or by e-mailing Steve Alvarez at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hunting Regulations.pdf

Fishing
Fishing is prohibited at Bitter Lake NWR to protect rare native fish.

Wildlife Observation & Photography
The refuge offers excellent nature photography and wildlife viewing opportunities. The eight-mile wildlife drive is one of the best ways to observe wildlife. If you enjoy dragonfly watching, try taking the short Dragonfly Trail less than one mile on the wildlife drive.

Bicycling
Bike riding is permitted on the eight-mile gravel wildlife drive or the refuge's paved four mile (round trip) bike trail.

Guided Tours
Endangered species tours are regularly scheduled from October through May on the first Saturday of each month. These special tours take visitors into areas normally closed to the public to be shown some of the unique sinkholes and springs protected by the refuge. Reservations required.

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