Bitter Lake NWR was established in 1937 as a winter habitat for migratory waterfowl and sandhill cranes.   It currently consists of three basic sections.   North of Hwy 70 is the 9,620 acre Salt Creek Wilderness Area, which is closed to motorized vehicles. South of Hwy 380 is the Refuge Farm Unit, where crops are grown for the geese and cranes.   The central section is divided into the north end, closed to the public, containing the Refuge's name sake (Bitter Lake) and numerous sink holes.   The remainder is open to the public and includes the Auto Tour Route with man made lakes, walking paths, wetland habitats and Hunter Marsh at the south end.   [Hunter Marsh was named after Raymond H. Hunter, the Refuge's manager from 1944-1954.]

Bitter Lake NWR is a treasure in the desert.   It is the only known nesting area in New Mexico for the interior least tern.   It has the greatest diversity of dragonflies and damselfies (Odonata) of all National Wildlife Refuges.   It is the home of several rare animal and plant species including the Roswell Springsnail, the Pecos Puzzle Sunflower and several small native fishes.    The Refuge can be enjoyed by wildlife observation, photography, the self-guided auto tour, and wildlife research.   It is open daily from one hour before sunrise to one houre after sunset.