Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico.
Pueblo Indians also spent time living in this region, until the 1100s when drought and Apaches forced them out. In the mid-1500s, Spanish conquistadors and missionaries explored and settled the region, and the influence of Spanish culture is still felt today. Westward expansion continued in the late 1800s, and by the turn of the century, the Santa Fe Trail and the railroad made Las Vegas, New Mexico, the place to be.
In 1965, Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge was established by the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Action for the benefit of migratory birds. The 8,672-acre refuge represents one of the few sizeable wetland areas remaining in New Mexico. It is open to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife watching, hiking, hunting, educational and interpretive programs and special events.
It is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands and waters set aside and managed for the benefit of wildlife, habitat and you
The refuge is located about six miles southeast of Las Vegas, New Mexico. From Interstate 25, take exit #345 and then turn east on State Highway 104 for one and a half miles. Turn south on State Highway 281 for about four miles and follow the signs to the refuge headquarters.
The lat/long for the refuge’s headquarters is 35.508282, -105.167123.