Apache Kid Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in San Mateo Mountains, New Mexico

Apache Kid Wilderness is a large protected mountainous area in the San Mateo range that features steep canyons and high peaks. The terrain is rugged and remote, with sparse water sources and a network of marked trails winding through the landscape.

The wilderness takes its name from an Apache man who died in 1906 following conflicts with local ranchers in the area. This naming reflects the time when indigenous peoples inhabited the land before it became a protected area.

The name comes from the Apache Kid, though the man killed at Blue Mountain on September 4, 1906, was another Chiricahua Apache, Massai; ranchers blazed a tree at the spot and its hacked remains are still visible. Vicks Peak honours Victorio, the Mimbreño leader who defied relocation in 1879. Aldo Leopold found a recently abandoned Apache hunting camp here in 1919.

Navigation skills are essential for exploring this area safely, as water is scarce and terrain is challenging. Visitors should come well prepared and only attempt travel through the wilderness with proper experience and equipment.

The name comes from the Apache Kid, but the man killed on Blue Mountain on September 4, 1906, was another Chiricahua Apache, Massai; ranchers blazed a tree at the spot, and the hacked trunk can still be seen. Vicks Peak honours Victorio, who defied relocation in 1879.