« All Trips

New Mexico Wildlife and Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range Views, NM

June 15, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - June 21, 2025 @ 8:00 am

Trip Navigation

New Mexico Wildlife and Mountain Views!

Explore beautiful northern New Mexico just 2-3 hours from Santa Fe and Albuquerque. With the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, multiple state parks, and National Park sites nearby, the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge has something for everyone!

On this project, volunteers will help to restore the Cottonwood Trail and Day Use Area to visitors! The project will entail cutting and limbing dead branches out of Elm trees, removing the limbs from the site. Volunteers will also help to rake, mow, and spray the trail to restore it. Once the trail is sprayed, using a dump trailer, volunteers will work with refuge staff to add in gravel to resurface the trail. A final grooming of the trail and repairs to the perimeter fencing will open the trail to hikers and other visitor use!

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

Register

Host

Private: Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

Accommodations

Car Camping Tent Sites

Hiking/Access

Volunteers will drive or be driven 2 miles on gravel road to the project worksite.

Project Rating

Moderate

Minimum Volunteer Age

18

Maximum Group Size

10

Area and Attractions

Maxwell National WIldlife Refuge offers abundant wildlife and fishing with plenty of driving roads to observe migratory waterfowl for which the refuge was established. There is also an opportunity to see other wildlife species including elk, mule and white-tailed deer, and pronghorn. Robust hiking in the area and on the refuge, as well as rock climbing opportunities within 25 miles of the refuge will be an option after work and on the day off. Come experience the short-grass prairie ecosystem in the transition zone of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with multiple state parks and National Park Service sites nearby.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will camp at the refuge within the main maintenance yard with access to a bathroom, water and a shower. There will be primitive camping sites on either gravel or grass for tents. Volunteers need to bring their own tent and personal camping gear; and towels.

Travel

Albuquerque Sunport in Albuquerque, NM is the closest airport. Airport pickup is available for volunteers and will be arranged upon confirmation of the trip.

Location

Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
168 Lake 13 Rd, Maxwell, NM 87728 United States + Google Map