Accessible Oasis in New Mexican Desert
Located about halfway between Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Northern New Mexico, the Black River Recreation Area (www.blm.gov/visit/black-river-recreation-area) is home to a true oasis in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. And since it’s just a short hop off of Highway 62/180, it makes an excellent stop to break up the monotony of the drive, and to get a little exercise and fresh air. This desert oasis is easy to find too – just head west on Washington Ranch Road for about five miles until you come to the Cottonwood Springs Day Use Area.
Granted it doesn’t look like much of an oasis at first glance, but believe it or not there’s a verdant patch of land just around the corner. Parking is available in a level gravel area near the picnic area, with barrier-free access to the accessible vault toilet and a mostly level dirt path to two accessible picnic tables. That said, plan ahead as ironically there’s no drinking water available at this oasis.
From the picnic area, a wide, level, 500-foot boardwalk winds around to a viewing platform that overlooks a marshy section of the Black River. Hence the oasis. Resident birds include the great blue heron, American coot, loggerhead shrike, great horned owl and even the occasional roadrunner. There’s usually a healthy population of waterfowl too, and during the spring and fall migrations there’s a notable increase in the avian residents. Interpretive plaques are located along the boardwalk, and it’s just a quiet, shady place to take a break. And since most folks usually pass it by, you’ll likely have this desert oasis all to yourself.
