New Mexico Off-Road Trails

This easy point-to-point scenic road takes you over the Zuni Mountains in the Cibola National Forest. It crosses through a few pieces of privately owned land with gates. No campsites were found along this trail. Two established campgrounds, as well as dispersed campsites, are available north of the trail. Quaking Aspen and McGaffey Campgrounds are located along NM 400. Both are seasonal and have large sites suitable for everything but large Class A motorhomes. Neither have water.

This ordinarily easy trail is impassable when wet. Pay attention to the weather.

Santa Fe National Forest Service Road 70, also known as the American Creek Trail, offers a remote and scenic route through the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico. This unpaved forest road follows the path of Rio de las Vacas (or American Creek), winding through dense coniferous forests and open meadows. It provides access to established & dispersed camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. This easy, graded dirt trail is doable in a passenger car, but has moderately challenging spur trails that may require a high-clearance, 4x4 vehicle. There is a large established campground at the beginning of the trail. This trail is shared with hikers and horseback riders.

Caja del Rio Road (Forest Road 24) is the primary route into the rugged Caja del Rio plateau west of Santa Fe, offering an easy and scenic drive across one of northern New Mexico's most distinctive volcanic landscapes. Beginning among the rolling piñon and juniper-covered hills, the well-traveled dirt road gradually climbs onto the broad La Bajada Mesa, where expansive views stretch across the Rio Grande Valley, distant mountain ranges, and the dramatic basalt cliffs that define the region. The final miles follow the original alignment of pre-1937 Route 66, ending at the southern edge of the mesa with a remarkable overlook of the historic La Bajada switchbacks that once challenged early cross-country travelers. Aside from occasional minor washouts after summer storms, the road is generally suitable for most passenger vehicles in dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for sightseeing, photography, history, and exploring the many side roads throughout the Caja del Rio.

Underwood Lake Road, also known as Hell Roaring Mesa, is a well-maintained graded dirt road suitable for almost any vehicle. It is an out-and-back road that takes you back into the forest and has several places great for dispersed camping. The name suggests a lake somewhere nearby, but if there is one, it has long since dried up. The road ends, and there is a large area for camping with a fire pit already constructed. Herds of elk roam the area, and you can hear the wolves howling at night. This might be your spot if you are looking for a place to set up camp in an area with some solitude.  

Connecting the Pucker Falls trail to Hidden Valley Loop, The Great Escape is an aptly named trail that rises steeply up the side of the massive arroyo, offering drivers a quick escape from the high rock escarpments of the falls back to the main Quebradas road, with the bonus of an amazing panoramic view at the end. This connecting trail is a steep (> 40-degree) ascent up a loose dirt and gravel hillside that takes you to the north ridge above Amado Canyon. The first section of the climb is an immediate 60-foot elevation change that is loose and rutted, followed by a right turn onto a longer section that takes you up another 60 feet in elevation. In all, you rise approximately 12 stories in 0.1 miles. Steady, 4-low power in an under-powered gear like 2nd will help maintain traction. Too much power causes bouncing and spinning wheels, which is something to avoid. Note that this trail will put you out on the Hidden Valley Loop trail, from which you will also have a very steep descent, regardless of the direction you go. If you are uncomfortable seeing nothing but blue sky in your windshield, returning to the Pucker Falls trailhead is another option. This trail is suited for drivers experienced with steep grades and loose footing. This trail may be impassable under wet conditions.

Just over an hour west of Albuquerque, New Mexico, FS 429 is a short but beautiful trail in the Zuni Mountains that is somewhat off the beaten path. The tall ponderosa pines surrounding this quiet and secluded trail in Limekiln Canyon make for the perfect area to camp, picnic, and explore with the entire family. The San Mateo and Zuni Mountains make up the Mt. Taylor Ranger District, which has approximately 520,000 acres of diverse forest lands, including Mt. Taylor, an extinct volcano considered sacred to Native Americans. The Zuni Mountains have a diverse history that includes railroad logging and sheep herding. Many of the trails in this area were originally used for railroad logging operations in the late 1800s and early 1900s during steam railroading's heyday. There are many antiquities in the area, including old homesteads, mining camps, logging camps, and vast volcanic features.

Excellent dispersed camping is allowed along both sides of FR 429 within 300 feet of the road's centerline​ , as indicated on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the Mount Taylor Ranger District (505-287-8833). Note that this is an unimproved area, so please, tread lightly. A shovel and axe are required in order to have a campfire in unimproved areas of the Zuni Mountains. Please observe all fire restrictions.

Cruce de Parida (Parida Crossing) is a short and easy connecting trail in the Coyote Hills that brings four area trails together and provides access to the Arroyo de la Parida. The tranquility and scenery of this desert area is relaxing and picturesque, with red earth and ancient sandstone cliffs climbing out of deep arroyos. Whether you want to explore, camp, hunt for rocks, or just get some fresh air and sunshine, planning a trip within the network of trails that Cruce de Parida connects is a great way to go. Flora and fauna abound in this 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! Although camping is legal anywhere along the trail, no predisturbed campsites exist directly along this trail.

El Canal (The Gutter) is a brief but difficult loop off of the Coyote Exit trail. Though the views from this spot are spectacular, you won't notice them as this trail will demand every bit of your attention. If you're looking to get your heart rate up and test your rig, this is a great place to do it! 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. No camping is found directly along the trail

This trail offers incredible views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east and the Jemez mountains to the west. It starts as a dusty dirt road before a few rocky climbs to the best vantage points. You'll end the trail at the edge of White Rock Canyon with the Rio Grande below you, and Los Alamos just across the canyon.

This is a great route to run as a loop in conjunction with 24M. It carves through the sagebrush flats and up basketball-sized rocky climbs. It is only slightly harder than 24M but offers just as many views. The trail is narrow in spots, so expect pinstriping.

Camel Tracks Road is a mostly smooth and scenic climb from the Santa Fe River valley up onto the wide-open Caja del Rio Plateau, serving as the southern gateway into this rugged landscape west of Santa Fe. The road carries a quiet sense of history, following part of the original pre-1937 Route 66 alignment before connecting with Santa Fe National Forest Road 24. Along the way, drivers can expect sweeping desert views, rolling high-desert terrain, distant mountain backdrops, and the open, windswept feel that makes the Caja del Rio such a unique escape from the city. The drive is generally easy, with a mostly mellow surface with stretches of washboard, making it suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions.