2010 Map of Bishop Ranch

About this map

White Sands Missile Range dominates this high-desert landscape in Socorro County, where access is strictly managed through a network of numbered routes such as WSMR P Route 7 and WSMR S Route 3706. This area represents a quiet intersection of military geography and traditional ranching life, centered on small settlements like Bishop Ranch and Harless. The terrain is defined by dry drainage systems including Rancho Viejo Arroyo and Chupadera Arroyo, which cut through the arid flats alongside Canon de la Rosa. Water management is the primary marker of human presence here, evidenced by numerous named stock tanks and catchment points like Jesus Tank, Gyp Tank, and Baumgardner Tank. A Booster Windmill stands as a functional landmark in an environment where every water source, from Sand Draw to Manuel Tank, is essential for the region's cattle operations and survival.