Visit Wilderness

The ragged and rugged Peloncillo Mountains sit on the border between Arizona and New Mexico. Violent volcanic upheavals pushed these mountains into a veritable maze of canyons extending in all directions. Many of the canyons are lined with scenic cliffs, some with an extensive Emory and Arizona white oak groves along drainage bottoms.

Common vegetation in this high, dry land is mesquite, snakeweed, burroweed, turpentine bush, creosote, catclaw, whitethorn, agave, prickly pear, and juniper.

Desert bighorn sheep call this area home, and peregrine falcons soar in the bright skies. A population of deer attracts a few hunters.

Elevations range from about 4,000 feet to 6,401 feet and the views are worth the climb to higher ground. Summer temperatures average from 60 to 97 degrees F and winter temperatures average between 27 to 58 degrees. The Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness receives an average of 10.7 inches of precipitation, annually.

The historic Butter-field Stage Route forms the southern boundary of the wilderness.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Rules & Regulations

Contacts