Whitethorn Wilderness Area

Whitethorn Wilderness Area is a 10,412-acre federally protected wilderness in New Mexico managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This is primitive backcountry where motors, roads, and mechanized travel are prohibited—a place where solitude and self-reliance define the experience. Visitors come to hike and backpack through undeveloped terrain, where the landscape and silence are the primary attractions.

Access means leaving vehicles behind and traveling on foot. There are no maintained trails, facilities, or services within the wilderness boundary. Leave No Trace principles are not optional suggestions but essential practices for protecting this wild space. Plan for genuine backcountry conditions: carry all water, food, and gear you need; camp responsibly; and pack out everything you pack in. This is not a destination for casual day hikers or those unprepared for self-sufficient wilderness travel.