Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

Carefree Spas

2023-11

Pick and choose your seasons here. Came in mid-October and observed Sand Hill Cranes resting here as they were migrating south. A few years ago came in late August and saw thousands of Monarch Butterflies and three Burrowing Owls among the Prarie Dogs. Saw some gorgeous Pronghorns upon leaving. Always a treat.

Sheryl Hendrix

2023-09

Awesome awesome awesome Beautiful views, quiet, peaceful! Lots of beautiful birds! Small lake water is really low. Room for four RVs three large sites in the open and one small site with shade. Three sites have trash cans and a picnic table. Good roads going in not far from Interstate. Small town nothing much but a small gas station grocery store. Nice people had a good variety in store. But close to Raton had a little more to offer. Trinidad CO if you need to do laundry. Nothing to do but drive into the mountains. Five day stay for free. No hookups. We will definitely be back.

Nikki Rohde (OutThisDoor)

2023-05

Convenient, Quiet and humbleStopped here on our way along I25 to stretch our legs last May. Was pleasantly surprised. There's a visitor center but it was closed. Several dirt roads to follow. At least one area has primitive campsites, there's enough room to turn a rig around--we had a truck and 24 ft bumper pull. Level campsites with picnic tables and there were a few trees for shade but otherwise windy since there's nothing to block the wind. Lots of wildlife--we saw birds, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. Free to visit. Free to camp. Nobody else around. Stopped again for the night on the next road trip. Will probably stop again.

Lisa Malawey

2024-05

Real nice Ranger came up and told me the place had been so busy the weekend before, gorgeous views all to ourselves by the lake

Kris

2020-05

There's a few spots on the grass, but one prime spot under 2 trees large enough for a Class A to fit, with direct access to the boat launch, right on the water. You might have to wait a few days and be quick to move once it's free.The area is quiet, people go fishing around the lake, and the water is perfect for kayaking.Did see a gigantic snake crossing the road, so...

rebecca Lents

2023-05

A beautiful area but the directions were very confusing and camping areas not marked at all. Ended up staying the night on the side of a gravel road due to the road to the area where camping was marked being washed out. We still aren't sure if we were in the right area but 7 miles down the gravel road with much of it washed out certainly took away from the beautiful landscape. Probably a wonderful place but please check directions and if your are traveling in a 32ft RV please be careful.

Austin Clark

2022-05

Follow Google maps. I tried following the physical signs and got frustrated because it took me to a closed off parking lot. Otherwise, amazing place. Secluded. Downside was Verizon has minimal coverage. But it was FREE so you can't beat that

Goat Hikes

2019-05

Camped here 3 nights while exploring Capulin Volcano and Fort Union National Monuments. Very quiet and peaceful. Saw gorgeous waterfowl, bald eagles, pronghorn, turkeys, and listened to the coyotes at night. Awesome free camping with fabulous views!

Renee Tang

2023-05

Best camping in New Mexico. 🤫 Sunset and Sunrise 😍. Quiet spot with birds and antelopes.

Jen Warriner

2023-05

Beautiful Reserve. The birds sing like a symphony with the sunrise. There was 2 other campers present during our visit. A great place for a FREE visit!

Kevin Lewis

2020-05

This is a nice camp spot for a day or week. Flat level sites, no fires and lots of migrating birds. Beautiful sunset

Polly S

2023-05

Absolutely a must, beautiful, quiet tables, trash and toliets. Free, just keep it clean.

Brandi Oldaker

2023-11

Great place to stop for the night.

Making Memories with Michigan Mills

2022-05

Beautiful view with lots of birds, quite, no shade except for a couple of spots.Would stay here again .

Kari Sullivan

2023-09

I had a most magical experience with a hawk here, ten years ago. I showed up, and there were no animals and no people, and I thought, "What if they made a wildlife refuge, and no wildlife came?" So I made a turn down a gravel road to find my way back to the main road to leave. As I went down the road, thinking I may be made a wrong turn, a hawk swooped down from its perch, and started flying about five feet above my hood, as I drove along this road. There were tall trees on both sides of the road, so it had nowhere to go, but it seemed to be doing exactly what it intended to do, as it flew safely above my hood, until the trees parted, and it banked off to the right. It was one of those moments where you wish you could get your phone out and recording fast enough to capture a moment that no one will ever believe happened. I think about the experience often, and even went back a couple of years ago to try and recreate that magic. Sure enough, as I turned down that same dirt road, a hawk was gatekeeping it, in a tree at the start of the road. I'll be damned if that hawk didn't swoop down, and seemingly was going to fly above my hood again, but at the last second, it changed its mind, and turned off the path before the tall trees started. Nevertheless, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, while from all appearances may seem like a refuge without animals, it's worth stopping over, if you're in the area, simply for the possibility that a gatekeeping hawk might sprinkle some magic on your day, in a way that tells you, you've arrived back home after a long journey. For bird nerds, it's most definitely worth a drive through the park. For campers, it's a great stop overnight, or for a couple of nights, to breathe in the healing energy of Northern New Mexico. If you journey that way, and a hawk shows you the way down that dirt road, consider yourself blessed, because it is truly an experience bestowed upon you by the Great Spirit.

Katie houp

2022-05

Quiet little lake, paddle boat size. Free camping, toilets avail, no other amenities. No swimming allowed

Charles Hubbard

2023-05

Quiet and peaceful space. Enjoyed the camping area for a night.Restrooms: Vault toilets nearby within walking distance.Dog-friendliness: Planting of room for dogs to walk. Picnic area: Several tables. No grills.

Britany Hoppes

2022-05

Gorgeous spot: we were just passing through but if we would have had equipment with us we would have spent the night here.

Ted K

2018-05

Beautiful and remote wildlife refuge. Bring your binoculars to really enjoy bird watching at this location. You might see some other types of wildlife on your visit as well.

Maryann Vasilyeva

2019-05

We loved staying here overnight. Just a peaceful and calm refuge. Definitely would recommend others to come here!

Wylie Dank

2021-05

Beautiful preserve. Stayed 1 night. They have a small area for camping. No hook ups or water. We have a 27' RV and had lots of room. We enjoyed our stay. Except for other campers allowing their 3 dogs to run loose. We will be back during migration season.

D Whitaker

2023-05

No shade , lots of flies , supposed to have a fishing license just to be out there and it doesn't look like you'd catch anything worth paying for a fishing license. Man made mud hole. There's an outhouse and a parking area.No cell service on straight talk.Quite and chill , once you get used to the flies but that's anywhere in New Mexico.

Ed Masotti

2018-05

Beautiful place to camp and watch the sun rise and set.

Safa Gamam

2021-05

The lakes were either completely dry or had very low water levels during our July visit. Still stunning views with lots of wild life to observe. Bring binoculars for better viewing.

My Name Is Confidential

2020-05

Limited camping-nice lake 12 & views. Vaulted toilets-over crowded weekends. Many biting bugs. High Wind area in a valley.Update: I stayed five days in 2019. There's a 3 day camping limit that was difficult to learn about in advance.Local staff was polite and informative.

mike becker

2020-05

Secluded, quiet, restrooms available.

Monica Glickman

2018-05

We visited the refuge in July on our way from Denver to Santa Fe. Although many migratory birds are not found there in the summer, it is a magical place. We saw pelicans, a falcon, a turkey vulture, and heard many birds we could not see. I appreciated knowing that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service plants crops for the migratory birds, so that they will settle on the refuge and not eat farmers’ crops. The Visitors’ Center has an area children will enjoy. Take the time to stop here.

Scott Johnson

2023-10

Quite place only one other person here

t k

2020-05

A wonderful out of the way place to see some great wildlife. We saw eagles here in February. But we saw even more wildlife on the outskirts of this area. Take your binoculars for sure.

Jonus Miles

2021-05

What can I say? 4 life birds in 1 trip to Maxwell. A rare red headed woodpecker and pelicans in New Mexico. The visitors center was closed because of Covid but it was wonderful visit anyway.