Presilla Wilderness Study Area

A view of the Presilla Wilderness Study Area
Presilla Wilderness Study Area

Presilla Wilderness Study Area is located about 10 miles east of Socorro in central New Mexico. The landform is primarily a mesa eroded by large arroyos, sandstone hills, rugged limestone and scattered coppice dunes. Vegetation is typical Chihuahuan desert shrubs. The wilderness study area is home to many wildlife species including prairie falcons, Red-tailed and Cooper's hawks, quail, doves, songbirds, gray and kit fox, mule deer, jackrabbits, rock squirrels and several different species of reptiles.

The Quebradas Backcountry Byway runs along the eastern edge of Presilla Wilderness Study Area. Sierra de las Canas Wilderness Study Area is on the eastern side of the backcountry byway there. The byway actually forms most of the western boundary of the much larger Sierra de las Canas WSA.

Banded layers of gravel make up the hills and valleys of the Presilla Wilderness Study Area
Hills of banded sandstones and gravels on the Presilla Wilderness Study Area
Map of the Presilla Wilderness Study Area
Presilla Wilderness Study Area map
Presilla Wilderness Study Area
Bureau of Land Management - Socorro Field Office
901 South Highway 85, Socorro, NM 87801
575-525-4300
Latitude: 34.06114389°N Longitude: 106.8116414°W

Photos and map are courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management