Bosque Redondo Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: January 11, 2026
Bosque Redondo Park is located in the state of New Mexico and is a popular destination for tourists who are interested in learning about the history of the Native American tribes that once inhabited the area.
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Summary
The park is situated on the site of a former U.S. Army internment camp, where thousands of Navajo and Mescalero Apache people were forcibly relocated in the 1860s.
One of the main reasons to visit Bosque Redondo Park is to learn about this important event in American history and to gain a better understanding of the struggles faced by Native American communities during this time period. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits and displays that showcase the daily life of the internment camp residents, as well as the history of the Navajo and Mescalero Apache people.
Some of the specific points of interest to see in Bosque Redondo Park include the Fort Sumner Historic Site, the Bosque Redondo Memorial Cemetery, and the Navajo Treaty Monument. Each of these attractions offers a unique perspective on the history of the area and the people who lived there.
Interesting facts about Bosque Redondo Park include the fact that it was designated as a National Historic Site in 2008 and that it is the only site in the United States that commemorates the internment of Native Americans. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and coyotes.
The best time of year to visit Bosque Redondo Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. However, visitors should be aware that the park is located in a desert climate, so temperatures can be extreme during the summer months.
Overall, Bosque Redondo Park is an important historical site that offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the experiences of Native American communities during a tumultuous period in American history.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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