Where to See Wild Burros in Arizona: Alamo HMA

The Alamo Herd Management Area (HMA) is a remarkable destination in west-central Arizona, offering a glimpse into the lives of wild burros and the diverse wildlife that inhabit this rugged landscape. Spanning approximately 341,000 acres, the Alamo HMA is bordered by the Big Sandy HMA to the north and the Havasu HMA to the west. Visitors can explore the area around Alamo Lake and the Bill Williams, Santa Maria, and Big Sandy rivers.

How to Get There

To reach the Alamo HMA, drive west from Wickenberg, Arizona, on U.S. Highway 60 for about 50 miles towards Wenden, Arizona. Then, head north for 30 miles on a paved county road leading to Alamo Lake State Park.

About the Burros

Approximately 305 wild burros roam freely throughout the Alamo HMA, a region characterized by steep, rocky, and rugged terrain. These burros are typically grey in color. During the hot summer months, they stay within two to three miles of water sources. As the weather cools, the burros tend to disperse and scatter across the area.

Wild burros share their habitat with desert bighorn sheep, desert mule deer, coyotes, foxes, jackrabbits, and a variety of small desert mammals. Other inhabitants include the desert tortoise and several species of lizards and rattlesnakes. The wild burros in this area are descendants of those abandoned by early prospectors, miners, and local rangers. Having evolved in the deserts of North Africa, burros have adapted well to Arizona’s desert environment, thriving in the relatively lush Sonoran Desert.

Information gathered from the Bureau of Land Management