Grulla National Wildlife Refuge

Grulla National Wildlife Refuge protects 3,236 acres of salt playa and shortgrass prairie on the New Mexico-Texas border, about 25 miles southeast of Portales. The refuge is centered around Salt Lake, a shallow basin that can be nearly dry for long periods before filling after heavy rains. When water is present, the lake becomes an important winter roost for lesser sandhill cranes and migratory waterfowl.

A Lake That Comes and Goes

Most of Grulla National Wildlife Refuge is salt, the lake has no permanent water supply. Instead, runoff from storms periodically fills the shallow basin, creating temporary wetland habitat before the water evaporates again. That means the refuge can look very different from one visit to the next. When Salt Lake holds water in fall and winter, large concentrations of lesser sandhill cranes gather to roost. The surrounding grasslands also provide habitat for prairie birds, making Grulla a worthwhile detour for birders.

Wildlife to Look For

• Birds: Lesser sandhill cranes, migratory ducks and other waterfowl, lesser prairie-chickens, scaled quail, ring-necked pheasants, and a variety of grassland birds.
• Mammals: Pronghorn and smaller High Plains mammals can be found in the surrounding grasslands.
• When: Fall and winter are best for sandhill cranes when Salt Lake contains water. Spring and summer bring migratory grassland birds and reptiles. Morning and evening generally offer the most wildlife activity.

Things to Do

• Walk to the overlook: Follow the designated footpath from the parking area for views across Salt Lake and the surrounding prairie.
• Watch for cranes: Scan the playa during fall and winter, especially when the basin is holding water.
• Look for grassland birds: Listen and watch for quail, prairie-chickens, and other birds in the grasslands surrounding the lake.
• Photograph the playa: The huge open lakebed, distant horizon, and flocks of birds can make for surprisingly dramatic photographs.
• Enjoy the quiet: Grulla is extremely undeveloped and remote, with little here besides the landscape and wildlife.

How Much Time to Spend

An hour is plenty for most visitors to walk to the overlook, scan Salt Lake, and watch for wildlife. If cranes or large numbers of waterfowl are present, birders and photographers could spend a couple of hours here.

Because wildlife depends heavily on whether the playa is holding water, Grulla can be surprisingly active or extremely quiet.

Getting There

Grulla National Wildlife Refuge is about 25 miles southeast of Portales on NM-88. Follow the highway all the way to the Texas state line, then turn south onto the refuge entrance road and continue about half a mile to the small parking area. The refuge is free and open daily from dawn to dusk. There are no restrooms, drinking water, visitor center, or other facilities, so bring everything you need with you. Visiting is limited to the designated walking path and overlook, general hiking across the refuge is not permitted.