Bitter Lake NWR--OxBow

About this Location

This hotspot is named for a trail along part of the southernmost of five historic Pecos River oxbow courses located within the middle tract of the Refuge. The trail forms a 2-mile oval stretching southeast from the trailhead parking area (at the southeast corner of the tour loop) around the southern portion of the oxbow. At its southeast end, near where oxbow water flows back into the Pecos River (through culvert pipes under the trail), the trail provides visitors their closest view of the river on the Refuge’s middle tract. In 2008-2009, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with other organizations, reconnected the river to the fourth oxbow course, directly north of this hotspot, permitting water to flow into the fourth oxbow and form a natural wetland;  water in the hotspot oxbow, which flows from Refuge units to the west, not from the Pecos, is not as dependable, but when water is present the trail allows you to possibly get closer to waterfowl than anywhere else on the Refuge.  The Oxbow Trail is one of the more likely spots on the Refuge to view Osprey. 

This is not a wheelchair-traversable trail. Even if you are not going to hike the entire trail, many species of waterbirds can typically be observed from the levee across the oxbow’s westernmost bend, just a few steps from the parking area.  A short loop on the eastern side of this levee provides an option for birders without adequate time to hike all 2 miles of the trail.  A map displaying each trail section’s length can be seen on the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Trails webpage.

Be aware that the trail, especially the north arc, can often be muddy. If it’s been wet, consider hiking the south arc just to the bench and shade structure. The south arc provides more unobstructed views of the oxbow than the north arc, where there is a wall of tamarisk along the waterway.

Mid-October through the end of January, the trail is usually closed to nonhunters three mornings per week. If you can only visit the Refuge on one of those mornings, note that on the east side of the tour loop, maybe a hundred yards north of the parking area, there is a wide spot in the road where you can pull a small vehicle off to glass the oxbow from its northwest side.

This is a location-specific hotspot, and observations elsewhere on the Refuge should not be listed for the OxBow.

A final tip: from the beginning of Spring through Fall, don’t just apply mosquito repellent liberally before starting on the trail. Take some with you!

About Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

See all hotspots at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Bittle Lake National Wildlife Refuge has been designated as an Important Bird Area.

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge protects and provides habitat for some of New Mexico’s most rare and unusual creatures such as the least shrew, Noel’s amphipod, least tern, Pecos sunflower, and Roswell spring snail.

Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the more biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. Established in 1937 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, the refuge plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands in the desert Southwest.

Bitter Lake is an ecological crossroad where the Chihuahuan Desert meets short grass prairie, the Pecos River, and the Roswell artesian basin. The blending of these different ecological conditions has created some unusual biological conditions. Here you will find wetland-dependent species interacting with desert creatures.

The abundant water supply draws a documented 357 species of birds to the refuge. In addition 59 species of mammals, more than 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, 24 types of fish, and more than 100 species of dragonflies and damselflies are found in this oasis.

Notable Trails

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike on the Oxbow Trail.

Features

  • Roadside viewing

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Official Website and John Montgomery

Last updated March 12, 2023

OxBow Trail
Map from Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Trails webpage