USFWS refuge centered on an ephemeral saline playa (Salt Lake / Arch Lake) on the Llano Estacado near Arch, southeast of Portales and straddling the Texas line. When wet, the playa hosts sandhill cranes and waterbirds; surrounding shortgrass supports lesser prairie-chicken, scaled quail, and other plains species. Minimal facilities—parking and informal walking only; administered with Muleshoe NWR (TX).
Field facts
| Region | Roosevelt County, NM |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34.0891, -103.0772 |
| Managing agency | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Focal habitat | Ephemeral salt playa + shortgrass prairie |
| Names | Salt Lake / Arch Lake / DZ Lake (historic) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Spanish name | Grulla = crane |
| Facilities | Parking; no visitor center on-site |
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Nearby amenities
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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