Ventana Wilderness protects nearly 4,400 km² of dramatic Rio Grande canyons, pine and oak woodlands, and high desert plateaus along the NM–AZ border.

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Geography

ContinentNorth America
RegionUS Southwest
SubregionSouthwest United States
CountryUnited States
StateNew MexicoArizona
CountyCatron CountyMcKinley County
DistrictVentana Wilderness
TimezoneAmericaPhoenix
Latitude35.2
Longitude-108.5
Maps
🌘7:15 PM LOCAL TIME

Ventana Wilderness is a rugged, cross-boundary landscape spanning New Mexico and Arizona, known for steep canyon walls, high desert plateaus, and oak-pine woodlands. The trail network offers options from long wilderness routes to short canyon hikes, with key access points near Blue Creek and Datil. Visitors come for hiking, backcountry camping, and wildlife viewing — look for elk, pronghorn, and rare Apache trout. The area's remote setting rewards careful planning for supplies and weather — expect hot days, cold nights, and varied trail conditions.

All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Sun Dec 14, 2025, 2:55 AM