New Mexico Off-Road Trails

Nestled in the hills around Amado Canyon, the Granite Canyon trail is a relatively quick and challenging way to get from Squeeze Canyon to Upper Amado Canyon and the southern end of the Chupadero Mine Road (Minas Del Chupadero). It is at the southernmost end of the 600-acre Gordy's Hill OHV Area, where it borders a protected wildlife observation area. This high desert region is known as the Quebradas, and it is home to dozens of 4WD trails as well as singletrack, hiking, and ATV trails. The area is adjacent to two wilderness study areas. There are two nearby wildlife refuges - the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to the south and the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to the north. It is also home to innumerable and spectacular geologic exposures. Many of these geologic points of interest have been marked by the Bureau of Land Management with small signs along the nearby Quebradas Backcountry Byway. Geology is also available to those who venture from the trails on foot. Photography, rockhounding, hiking, camping, wildlife watching, hunting, cultural sightseeing, and backcountry vehicle touring are some of the recreation opportunities available on these public lands.

Culminating in an overlook that's over a mile high, Vista Grande Road is one of the most interesting ways to get a 360-degree view of the Quebradas area. The panorama at the top includes the Sierra de la Campana, Fra Cristobal, Chupadera, San Mateo, Magdalena, and Sierra Ladrones Mountains - all are in view, as are the Socorro, Strawberry, and Polvadera Peaks. In spring, wildflowers and cacti bloom along the trail as it winds its way up through the Coyote Hills. The Quebradas (Spanish for "breaks") are located between two major protected wildlife areas, the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to the north and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to the south. There are many 4WD trails along the Quebradas Backcountry Byway, which bisects the 6,000-acre Gordy’s Hill Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area, providing offroad driving challenges for all experience levels and offroad vehicle capabilities.

The convoluted badlands of the Quebradas near Socorro, New Mexico are home to many spectacular geologic exposures. The serenity and beauty of the high mountain desert await those who venture onto the many 4WD trails on these public lands, Atoja a Chupadero being one of them. The trail is short but very scenic, as is the route to get there, and this route will take you well off the beaten path and into the heart of the Quebradas. Traversing the trail - a narrow, rocky wash - is both fun and challenging as it winds through sand, boulders, and rock pavements. Two large juniper trees along the trail provide great spots to take a break or have lunch. Atoja a Chupadero is a more challenging way to get from Upper Amado Canyon to Minas Del Chupadero than remaining on the Upper Amado Canyon trail would be, and it connects at the end of the Chupadero Mine road, which is the northern border of the Presilla Wilderness observation area.

Arch Canyon is an extreme buggy trail with boulders the size of trucks, large rock pools, and a gatekeeper obstacle that only the most experienced drivers in hardcore crawling rigs stand a chance with. Nevertheless, it's a gorgeous little canyon to hike with shade all day and a small stone arch high on the east canyon wall. There are no sites suitable for camping on the trail, but primitive dispersed camping is allowed around the entire area.

Located just a mile north of the Quebradas Backcountry Byway, Overlook Road is an easy 4WD trail that meanders through the Coyote Hills. The 360-degree vistas along this trail are spectacular, and the array of rocks and fossils are a rock hound's dream. Hiking, camping, mountain biking, and many other outdoor recreational activities await in this BLM-administered desert paradise. Flora and fauna abound in this harsh, rugged, yet beautiful landscape. At certain times of day, you may see area wildlife, including gray fox, mule deer, coyote, bobcat, porcupine, raccoon, ground squirrel, opossum, jackrabbit, cottontail, and of course, always be on the lookout for rattlesnakes!

The BLM-administered areas of the Quebradas have 4WD trails ranging in difficulty from "mild to wild." A popular destination for offroad enthusiasts, one can easily plan a full day or multiple days of wheeling in this area part of the 6,000-acre Gordy’s Hill Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. Arch Canyon Escape allows a less extreme route to the top of one area's most extreme buggy trails, Arch Canyon, home of a natural stone arch that sits atop the canyon's east wall. Enjoy lunch in the shade of the tall canyon walls, start a hike down into the canyon, or set up a super-secluded campsite for the night. Getting to this trail takes you well into the ruggedly beautiful badlands of the Quebradas. Other, more difficult trails must be traversed to reach this trail, so be sure to check the ratings and vehicle recommendations on those by using the Nearby Trails tab on the map above.

In New Mexico's El Malpais National Monument, Sandstone Bluff Overlook is a short dirt road with a big payoff. Ancient lava flows lie below towering sandstone bluffs. Early Spanish explorers named the area el malpais, or the badlands. The area was well-known and significant to the Zuni, Acoma, and Laguna. Later, Americans came to the area, as evidenced by the ruins of the Garrett homestead on the drive to the bluffs. The striking dichotomy of the buff-colored sandstone against the black lava below makes the short drive on the highly washboarded road worthwhile.

While there is a vault toilet and picnic tables, camping is not permitted at the overlook. Joe Skeen Campground is a mile south. The free campground has ten sites with shelters, picnic tables, and vault toilets, but no water. Water is available at the El Malpais Visitor Center one mile north. The visitor center is usually open on weekends.

The impressive La Ventana Arch is a few miles south along Highway 117.

Resumidero is a moderately difficult dirt trail that meanders through the San Pedro Parks Wilderness in northern New Mexico, offering access to several dispersed camping areas and trailheads. The trail also provides access to the Resumidero Falls Trail, a 0.7-mile out-and-back hike leading to a picturesque three-tiered waterfall. It begins like many other trails in the area - easy, graded gravel, but soon turns to rougher dirt and some small rocks. The road is generally accessible to 4x4 vehicles, but conditions can be challenging during wet weather.

This is a short and sweet route up to Laguna Larga Lake. At the start of the trail, signage warns against passenger cars. The first mile is the most challenging section of the trail, with a rough section of lava rock and a couple of rutted areas on a climb, but high-clearance 2WD should be able to traverse this area. All-terrain or other rugged tires are recommended due to the harsh lava rock that likes to protrude from the trail in various spots.

All camping is located at the end of the trail around Laguna Larga. A few aging concrete picnic tables dot the lakeside, while a handful of campsites can also be found farther back in the ponderosa pines. You may also see a couple of memorials erected for loved ones. Please be respectful of these sites.

La Jara Mesa is an out-and-back trail running across its namesake mesa in the Cibola National Forest. In a pinch, there is dispersed camping near the beginning of the trail, but the majority is barren of camping. Overall, the trail is rough dirt, but sections of embedded cobble rock and ruts from water erosion are present. At the end of the mapped track, the trail devolves into soft sand and continues onward as an ATV-only trail.

This graded dirt road offers a scenic and easy connection between State Roads 96 and 126, weaving through the beautiful landscapes of northern New Mexico. The route is suitable for most passenger vehicles and is a great option for drivers seeking a relaxed off-road drive through pine-dotted meadows and open forest. The trail loosely follows the edge of Jarosa Canyon and includes crossings of the Rio Puerco and Poleo Creek, adding some scenic variety along the way. This area also serves as a gateway into the San Pedro Parks Wilderness, with numerous spurs branching off to more rugged trails for those looking for more technical challenges. Be aware that toward the northern end, several side spurs lead onto private land, so exercise caution when selecting a dispersed campsite.

FR 162 runs through the Cibola National Forest from Highway 400 to Six Mile Canyon. The easy road leads to several spurs with superb dispersed campsites. While a few are small and tucked away, others can handle RVs and camper vans. Sites on the north side of the road have views across a wide flower-studded meadow. The higher elevation makes for mild days and cool nights.