Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Abiquiu, New Mexico

This trail begins by turning right onto FS 23 from US 84 North, just south of Route 96 turn off to the lake. You will begin climbing in elevation and the views to the west of Cerro Pedernal and Abiquiu Lake improve steadily up to ~7,500 ft elevation. There will be scenic overlooks along the ridge to...
Learn more about FS 23/FS 137 Abiquiu to El Rito

Abiquiu Dam trail starts with a short paved section at the top of the dam and works its way down some switchbacks to the base of the dam where the road turns to dirt. This trail follows along the western bank of the Chama River below Abiquiu Reservoir. The entire area has several interesting sites, ...
Learn more about Abiquiu Dam

The "road less traveled" describes this peaceful, unique high mountain trail. The peacefulness is due to the trail being sheltered from the wind and the uniqueness is due to the gigantic boulders that line your way. If you hike through the boulders to the west, breathtaking views can be seen. At the...
Learn more about Boulder Wash - FR 451

Green Camp Canyon is an overlander and camper's paradise. The well-maintained service trail is surrounded by thick trees and lush green foliage, with no obstacles over 10 inches in size that are only found at the north end of the trail at a small rocky section. Several spots on both sides of the tra...
Learn more about Green Camp Canyon

This is a scenic, well-maintained US FS road connecting El Rito and Vallecitos. There are no services in either small mountain community besides the restaurant El Farolito (cash only). With a number of other US FS roads branching off FS 44, this route makes for a wonderful jumping-off point. There a...
Learn more about FS 44 El Rito to Vallecitos

The Chama Canyon Cliffside Loop is an optional scenic trail that diverges from Chama Canyon and follows the base of colorfully layered cliffs. Though short in length, the trail offers some amazing views. This trail offers a handful of interesting dispersed camping sites along with areas to explore b...
Learn more about Chama Canyon Cliffside Loop

This rocky route travels through a dense forest along a mesa top with several unavoidable mud holes. The road is eroded and rutted in places, and fallen trees may need to be moved depending on vehicle width. There are no suitable camping areas along Forest Service Road 27.
Learn more about Cienega Redonda - FS 27

This route has incredible views near FR 144 of Canones Creek and in the distance of Abiquiu Valley. The elevation is over 10,000 feet at the highest point. Two local wildland firefighters named this trail in remembrance of their Australian Shepards, Burny and Coal. Ironically, numerous forest fires ...
Learn more about Burny Cole Point - FR 99

This trail takes you up into the Santa Fe National Forest. This is an easy trail for most with AWD or 4WD. Make sure you have gas as this is a vast mountain range where you can drive all the way to Espanola if you want. We did the trek as a (pass-through) starting on the Clara Peak Trail and then tu...
Learn more about Encino Mountain Trail

This is a relatively easy 5.7 mile route off of FR 144. The route winds through Ponderosa Pines and Aspens with some beautiful, secluded camping spots. It also leads to a choice of other trails including the scenic, challenging FR 449 View Point trail and FR 448 Chihuahuenos Spur which loops back to...
Learn more about FR 449

Corral Jumper is a short trail, that connects FS Roads 831 and 445C. The trail can be rather hard to find at first and may require some route-finding skills but does offer a few small log jumps that traverse up the mountain side and ends up at FS445C. It offers a few challenges with small embedded r...
Learn more about Corral Jumper

Corral Canyon is a 4.2-mile single track in the Sante Fe National Forest north of the town of Los Alamos and is probably the most fun and most popular dirt bike trail in this area. It's a fast and flowy dirt trail through a sparse pine tree forest. It's kind of sandy, but mostly dirt, and very smoot...
Learn more about Corral Canyon

Beautiful scenic canyon drive to the Coyote Canyon Camping Area. The route is a maintained gravel/dirt road that starts in the town of Coyote, New Mexico. The route takes you south approximately 6.5 miles ending at a designated campground. In early spring and winter, riders can expect possible snow ...
Learn more about Coyote Camp Run

Pajarito (FR446CC) serves as an access road used to connect users to the northern trail system. The road begins at the end of Maria's Canyon, with a notable landmark, the large open grazing area that usually is accompanied by a large watering hole. Just past this landmark, Pajarito begins as you con...
Learn more about Pajarito - FR 446CC

Cany is a road-width braided trail in the Sante Fe National Forest north of the town of Los Alamos. It's a short trail, 0.9 miles, that connects FS Roads 446 and 445. The trail is mainly a road but has small bits of single track that pop on and off of the road at times. It's all extremely easy and f...
Learn more about Cany

Chupaderos Spur is an easy road-width trail that starts off Chupaderos Road 446. It's a dead-end trail that doesn't really end at anything but could be fun for a beginner to explore the area since it's in an Archeological Historic Site. The entrance to the trail is not marked, but there is a sign on...
Learn more about Chupaderos Spur

FR445B is a major access road providing access to the western trail system in the area. 445B features a rock bed surface, providing a natural and rugged experience while remaining accessible to most vehicles equipped for light off-roading. The varying elevation adds an element of challenge without o...
Learn more about FR445B

Maria's Canyon, FS 416, is a scenic off-road forest service road that offers an engaging experience and serves as the main access route into the extensive trail system in the area, making it a vital pathway for both recreational users and those exploring the natural beauty of the region. The journey...
Learn more about Maria's Canyon - FS 416

Chupaderos Connector is primarily a section of Forrest Service Road 446 that connects Forrest Service Road 446H and the trail head Chupaderos Spur 824. It is an easy, full-width trail with no natural obstacles. There can be large ruts and small boulder sections depending on runoff off but it is most...
Learn more about Chupaderos Connector

Canada del Potrero is an out-and-back trail that is well-maintained overall and suitable for most vehicles. Dispersed camping is permitted along the entire length of the trail and offers several locations with diverse settings and views. While the trail is maintained well, downed trees are significa...
Learn more about Canada del Potrero

This trail begins by turning right onto FS 23 from US 84 North, just south of Route 96 turn off to the lake. You will begin climbing in elevation and the views to the west of Cerro Pedernal and Abiquiu Lake improve steadily up to ~7,500 ft elevation. There will be scenic overlooks along the ridge to...
Learn more about FS 23/FS 137 Abiquiu to El Rito

Abiquiu Dam trail starts with a short paved section at the top of the dam and works its way down some switchbacks to the base of the dam where the road turns to dirt. This trail follows along the western bank of the Chama River below Abiquiu Reservoir. The entire area has several interesting sites, ...
Learn more about Abiquiu Dam

The "road less traveled" describes this peaceful, unique high mountain trail. The peacefulness is due to the trail being sheltered from the wind and the uniqueness is due to the gigantic boulders that line your way. If you hike through the boulders to the west, breathtaking views can be seen. At the...
Learn more about Boulder Wash - FR 451

Green Camp Canyon is an overlander and camper's paradise. The well-maintained service trail is surrounded by thick trees and lush green foliage, with no obstacles over 10 inches in size that are only found at the north end of the trail at a small rocky section. Several spots on both sides of the tra...
Learn more about Green Camp Canyon

This trail begins by turning right onto FS 23 from US 84 North, just south of Route 96 turn off to the lake. You will begin climbing in elevation and the views to the west of Cerro Pedernal and Abiquiu Lake improve steadily up to ~7,500 ft elevation. There will be scenic overlooks along the ridge to...
Learn more about FS 23/FS 137 Abiquiu to El Rito

Abiquiu Dam trail starts with a short paved section at the top of the dam and works its way down some switchbacks to the base of the dam where the road turns to dirt. This trail follows along the western bank of the Chama River below Abiquiu Reservoir. The entire area has several interesting sites, ...
Learn more about Abiquiu Dam

The "road less traveled" describes this peaceful, unique high mountain trail. The peacefulness is due to the trail being sheltered from the wind and the uniqueness is due to the gigantic boulders that line your way. If you hike through the boulders to the west, breathtaking views can be seen. At the...
Learn more about Boulder Wash - FR 451

Green Camp Canyon is an overlander and camper's paradise. The well-maintained service trail is surrounded by thick trees and lush green foliage, with no obstacles over 10 inches in size that are only found at the north end of the trail at a small rocky section. Several spots on both sides of the tra...
Learn more about Green Camp Canyon