Rìo San Antonio Wilderness Area

Rìo San Antonio Wilderness Area encompasses nearly 9,500 acres of federally protected backcountry in northern New Mexico, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This is true wilderness—no roads, motors, or mechanized travel are permitted. Visitors come here to hike and backpack through primitive terrain, seeking the solitude and untrammeled character that federal wilderness designation preserves.

Access requires leaving your vehicle behind and traveling on foot. The landscape and specific trail network are not extensively documented in readily available sources, so scout current conditions and maps before you go. Like all designated wilderness, the area operates under Leave No Trace principles: pack out what you pack in, camp well away from water sources, and travel lightly across the land. Winter conditions can be severe; spring through fall offer the most reliable access. Plan ahead, bring a detailed map, and respect the primitive nature of the place—that's what makes it wild.