Local Attractions

There's a lot to see and do around Bernardo.  As a result, this page may take few seconds longer to load (it will be worth the wait).

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Bosque Del Apache is one of the most spectacular National Wildlife Refuges in North America. 

Here, tens of thousands of birds, including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese, and many kinds of ducks gather each autumn and stay through the winter. 

Feeding snow geese erupt in explosions of wings when frightened by a stalking coyote. At dusk, flight after flight of geese and cranes return to roost in the marshes.

El Camino Real

El Camino Real is the historic interior road used in the early days of settling New Mexico.

The Royal Highway of the Interior Lands follows the Rio Grande River from the United States/Mexico border to Santa Fe. 

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail traces the primary route between the colonial Spanish capital of Mexico City and Spanish provincial capitals elsewhere in Mexico and what is now New Mexico between the 16th and 19th centuries.


Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex

Located less than 2 miles away from the park on Route 116 in Bernardo, this is a great place for the birdwatching enthusiast.

Migrating birds include snow geese, sandhill cranes, Canadian geese and whooping cranes. Bernardo Waterfowl Area contains a wildlife trail complete with viewing and photographic towers and is open to the public.

For those who enjoy bird watching, this is a fine place to observe waterfowl, cranes and some upland birds during the fall and winter months. There are no recreational sites on the management area.

The Very Large Array (VLA)

If you've seen the movie "Contact" with Jodie Foster, you've seen the Very Large Array (VLA).  Astronomers from around the world use it to study objects from our Solar System to the edges of the known Universe, billions of light years from the Earth.

The telescope array consists of twenty-seven, 230-ton, 25-meter diameter dish antennas, which taken together, comprise a single radio telescope system.

The VLA is open every day from 8:30 AM to sunset for free, self guided tours of the VLA and the VLA Visitor Center.  Guided tours are held on the First Saturday of every month.

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Each October, the world’s largest hot air balloon festival takes place in Albuquerque, NM, where you’ll see more than 700 balloons in the sky at a time. 

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Is an international event held October 7 through October 15. 

This magical hot air balloon festival is considered to be the most photographed event in the world, drawing a huge international crowd of balloonists and spectators.

Ride the Rail Runner Train

How long has it been since you've ridden on a train?

Take a short drive to Belen, NM, and board the Rail Runner for a train trip to Albuquerque or Santa Fe.

You can make a day trip out of it, have lunch and enjoy the artwork in Santa Fe.


Salinas Pueblo Missions

Located 28 miles from the park on US Route 60, the mission was constructed in the mid 1600’s, the center of a thriving community at the time.

Abo is a wonderful reminder of New Mexico’s Spanish heritage. Prior to the Pueblo Rebellion of 1680, the village was abandoned because of Apache raids.

The ruins have been excavated by the Museum of New Mexico and were declared a state monument on August 30, 1939.

Ladron Mountain

Ladron Mountain is perfectly viewed from our RV park and provides us with some wonderful sunsets. It is rumored that there is gold hidden in the mountain. Others see the face of a sleeping Indian Chief in its contours. 

The name of the peak, "Ladron" means “thief” in Spanish, and “Sierra Ladrones” means “thieves’ mountains.”  Navajo and Apache raiding parties, and later Hispanic and Anglo rustlers, used the mountains as hideouts, hence the name.

Evidence of human occupation goes back over 10,000 years, and more recent prehistoric use occurred by the Mogollon and Anasazi cultures. Today, part of the range is included in the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The rest of the range is a mix of BLM and private land.

Sevilletta Wildlife Preserve

Sevilletta Wildlife Preserve is located just 3 miles south of the Park.  This area hosts an array of desert wildlife and beauty. It’s central visitor center is a must see to get an appreciation for the preserve's natural beauty.

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is managed primarily as a research area, and is closed to most recreational uses. However, limited waterfowl and dove hunting is available, and special tours including environmental education programs for students.