About Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Rising above the grassy plains of San Agustin, Horse Mountain, at 9,450 feet, provides sweeping views across west-central New Mexico. On south-facing slopes, you will find one-seed juniper, alligator juniper, and two-leaf piсon, while on north-facing slopes, you will find ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and Mexican white pine. Horse Mountain is an isolated forest and woodland providing habitat for wildlife including mule deer, elk, golden eagles, mountain lions, bobcats, and occasionally, bald eagles.
How to Get There
From Datil, NM, drive NM Highway 12 southwest for about 25.5 miles. Past mile marker 49, turn north onto Horse Springs Road (unmarked gravel), just before a ranch house. Drive 4.2 miles, and turn on a dirt road to the right. Pass through the gate, and drive 0.8 miles to a parking area (this road requires high clearance). From the parking area, a trail can be hiked or ridden on horseback to Nance Canyon.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Heading to Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area?
No central reservation system listed for Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/14599) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area?
From Datil, NM, drive NM Highway 12 southwest for about 25.5 miles. Past mile marker 49, turn north onto Horse Springs Road (unmarked gravel), just before a ranch house. Drive 4.2 miles, and turn on a dirt road to the right. Pass through the gate, and drive 0.8 miles to a parking area (this road requires high clearance). From the parking area, a trail can be hiked or ridden on horseback to Nance C…
How do I contact Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area?
You can reach the park at phone: 575-835-0412.
References & Official Resources
