Sabinoso Wilderness Area

Cliffs tower over juniper woodlands as mountain lions, black bears, and elk roam through untouched piñon pine and grasslands. As the sun goes down over fractured rock ledges, candy-colored hues of purple, pink, and blue paint the sky, and twinkling stars seem to emerge brighter than ever as city lights can’t dim their brilliance: welcome to Sabinoso Wilderness Area.

Until 2017, this area remained inaccessible to the public because private property surrounded the area, blocking the entrance to this expansive wonderland that’s only 30 miles east of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Working with New Mexico leadership for over a decade, Trust for Public Land helped expand the Sabinoso Wilderness Area, increasing the number of wild acres for adventurers to explore. Then in 2021, we conveyed the 9,855-acre Cañon Ciruela property as an addition to the wilderness area, growing it by nearly 50 percent as the largest addition to a designated wilderness in U.S. history.

Increasing access to the Sabinoso Wilderness Area connects nearby communities to the outdoors and the benefits of nature. Visitors enjoy the scenic views, picturesque sunsets, and new opportunities for hiking, observing wildlife, camping, and horseback riding in this largely untouched area. The journey to Sabinoso Wilderness Area is arduous, but visitors confirm that the reward is well worth the effort.

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