Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Management Area is 107 acres of State Wildlife Commission land in Unit 18, next to Escondida, measured from NMDOW's Commission land map. NMDOW lists it as open to hunting.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: NMDOW's fact sheet and Commission lands page, read 2026-10-18. Hunts: NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet. Boundary: NMDOW GIS.
BLMState trust landWildlife Commission landSocorro-Escondida WMAUnit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 107 acres (NMDOW map); NMDOW's fact sheet says 94 |
|---|---|
| Quadrant | Southwest New Mexico |
| Unit | Unit 18 |
| Open to | hunting, fishing and GAIN activities |
| Camping | Not allowed at Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Area. |
| Motor vehicles | Not allowed beyond parking area. |
| Nearest towns | Escondida (next to it), Socorro (3 mi) and Lemitar (4 mi) |
What is Socorro-Escondida WMA like?
The area contains a river bosque and fields adjacent to the Rio Grande. Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Area was purchased in 1928.
From NMDOW fact sheet for Socorro-Escondida.
What are the rules on Socorro-Escondida WMA?
Closures: No closures. Camping: Not allowed at Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Area. Motor vehicles: Not allowed beyond parking area.
Every Commission land needs a Habitat Management and Access Validation and the right license; WMAs are closed to hunting unless NMDOW's booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49). Rules posted on the property also apply.
What can you hunt on Socorro-Escondida WMA?
NMDOW's booklet sets the seasons. The 2026-27 booklet names Socorro-Escondida in no big game hunt code; hunting follows the seasons of the unit it is in.
How do you get to Socorro-Escondida WMA?
Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Area is located about 2 miles east of Socorro. Access is via A135 off Highway 408 north of Escondida.
Highways within 8 miles: US 85, I-25, US 60 and NM 1. Nearest towns: Escondida (next to it), Socorro (3 miles), Lemitar (4 miles) and Luis Lopez (7 miles). Within 3 miles of the WMA, FilledTag measured 10,209 acres of other public land, most of it BLM.
Which unit is Socorro-Escondida WMA in?
All of it is in Unit 18. Each unit's 2026-27 hunt codes and public land, for the whole unit:
| Unit | WMA acres in it | Unit public land | Elk codes | Deer codes | Pronghorn codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 18 | 107 | 65.9% | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Socorro-Escondida WMA?
Yes. NMDOW's Commission lands page lists Socorro-Escondida as open to hunting. Hunters need the proper license and the Habitat Management and Access Validation, and all WMAs are closed to hunting unless the booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49).
When is Socorro-Escondida WMA closed?
No closures. (NMDOW fact sheet for Socorro-Escondida). Rules posted on site also apply.
Can you camp on Socorro-Escondida WMA?
Not allowed at Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Area. (NMDOW fact sheet for Socorro-Escondida)
Which unit is Socorro-Escondida WMA in?
All of Socorro-Escondida WMA is in Unit 18, by NMDOW's unit and Commission land maps.