Attractions Ladron Mountain is perfectly viewed from our Park and provides us with some wonderful sunsets. It is rumored that there is gold hidden in the mountain. Others see the face of a sleeping Indian Chief in its contours. Balloon Fiesta Is an international event held October 6 through October 15. It is one of the largest ballooning gatherings in the United States, with various shapes, sizes, and colorings. Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex Located less than 2 miles away from the park on Route 116 in Bernardo, this is a great place for the birdwatching enthusiast. Migrating birds include snow geese, sandhill cranes, Canadian geese and whooping cranes. Abo Mission Ruins Located 28 miles from the park on US Route 60, the mission was constructed in the mid 1600's, the center of a thriving community at the time. Abo is a wonderful reminder of New Mexico's Spanish heritage. Sevilletta Wildlife Preserve Located just 3 miles south of the Park, this area hosts a various array of desert wildlife and beauty. It's central visitor center is a must to really get an appreciate for the preserves natural beauty. El Camino Real is the historic interior road used in the early days of settling New Mexico. The Royal Highway of the Interior Lands follows the Rio Grande River from the United States/Mexico border to Santa Fe. Bosque del Apache is the most spectacular national wildlife refuges in North America. Here, tens of thousands of birds including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese, and many kinds of ducks--gather each autumn and stay through the winter. Southwest Refuges in New Mexico Bosque/ Observatory - Belen, NM is Located 15 miles away, this observatory has observatory domes, operate differing telescopes produce your own digital pictures of distant galaxies, nebulae and star clusters! The General Nathan Twining