Quebradas Backcountry Byway

The first thing an offroad enthusiast will notice upon starting along the 24-mile Quebradas Backcountry Byway is frequent evidence of adventure - tire tracks heading off the main route into arroyos, through ravines and canyons, up hills and out into the desert. So, in addition to amazing geological features and beautiful landscapes, there are countless opportunities to wheel at varying degrees of technical difficulty, making this area a 4WD paradise. The name Quebradas (Spanish for “breaks”), refers to the numerous arroyos, ravines and cliffs that the trail traverses. This area near Socorro, NM is home to many spectacular geologic exposures. Many of these geologic points of interest have been marked by the Bureau of Land Management with small signs along the way, and even more geology is available to those who venture farther from the road. Photography, rock hounding, hiking, camping, wildlife watching, hunting, cultural sightseeing and backcountry vehicle touring are some of the recreation opportunities available on these public lands. Driving this trail you'll pass through areas of convoluted badlands, narrow box canyons and near-vertical multi-colored, water-sculpted limestone, sandstone and granite cliffs. 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 a rattlesnake.