Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Cañon, New Mexico

FS376 is a 23-mile long trail that weaves through the Jemez National Forest, gaining about 3,200 feet in elevation high above the Rio Guadalupe. This route takes you through the historic Gilman Tunnels, which were…
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This route branches off Forest Service Road 376 past the Gilman Tunnels and follows part of the Old Peggy Mesa Road. The trail is generally easy, with a few moderate rocks near the start and…
Learn more about Revengers Ride

Forest Service Road 10 is an absolutely million-dollar view road guaranteed to leave you awestruck. The entrance off Highway 4 has been washed out so only trucks or high-clearance vehicles can maneuver the ditch obstacle.…
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When looking at the map, you can see that this road leads to private land, however, at the start of the trail, there is a sign that reads that it goes on for around 16…
Learn more about Bear Springs Road 266

This gem of a route has many facets and is close to Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. The facets include geologic formations, bike trails, and hiking trails. The route is easy and there are nice parking…
Learn more about Cabezon Road

This road is used to access the Sulphur Springs area on the western side of Valles Caldera. It is important to note that the road is closed short of the springs, and will require a…
Learn more about Sulphur Springs Road

This route follows the pipeline easement along the Ojito Wilderness to the east and through Zia Pueblo land. It connects Cabezon Road with Backway to Cabezon Peak or the North Pipeline Road. The route has…
Learn more about South Pipeline Road

This set of well maintained, dirt roads provides access to Cabezon Peak from nearby Pipeline Road. It passes through some typical New Mexican high-desert scenery, with shrubs and cacti on either side of a winding…
Learn more about Backway to Cabezon Peak

This route connects the Old State Highway 279 off Highway 550 with South Pipeline Road, or Backway to Cabezon Peak. There is one major obstacle through the Rio Puerco Arroyo at the northern end. The…
Learn more about North Pipeline Road

This route travels through pinon and juniper trees in the lower elevation and ponderosa pine trees and Aspen at the higher elevations. The trail is sandy and rutted in a few spots. There is a…
Learn more about West Trail Creek - FR 20

This route might be a good alternative route when certain sections of "Backway to Cabezon" are washed out. The trail coincides with BLM 1113 for some sections but is rerouted for the portion of BLM…
Learn more about Cabezon Detour

For those seeking unique vistas in the cool New Mexico high country, Valles Caldera is a must-visit opportunity. This is the main route through the center of Valles Caldera National Preserve. It crosses a wide-open…
Learn more about Valle Grande Edge

San Luis Road to the Guadalupe Ruins is a fairly well-maintained dirt road, although there may be some ruts and sandy portions depending on the time of year. The 20-mile drive will provide opportunities to…
Learn more about San Luis Road to Guadalupe

This easy, beautiful mountain route travels through aspen stands, ponderosa pines, and gorgeous open meadows. FR 103 Teakettle Rock can be reached from Highway 96 by traveling south on the OnX trail "Run to the…
Learn more about Teakettle Rock - FR 103

This route travels north to south and connects FR 103 Mountain Escape with FR 70 American Park. At the southern end of this route, there are several dispersed camping spots. Mud holes and deep shoulder…
Learn more about FR 69 American Park

This short, easy route has gorgeous dispersed camping. At the eastern end to the north is Elk Meadows- FS 315B, a more challenging trail, that connects to FS 315- Easy Cruise, and to the south…
Learn more about Wetherill Way - FR 527

Valle San Antonio forms the main portion of the backcountry in the northern half of Valles Caldera. This wide valley has a small creek running through the bottom, with numerous opportunities for fishing and hiking,…
Learn more about Valle San Antonio Road

This is an easy high mountain route that has incredible views, open meadows, wildflowers, aspen groves, and drop-offs. Numerous trailheads can be accessed from this route including the popular San Gregorio Reservoir and San Pedro…
Learn more about FR 70 American Creek

This is one of the more varied trails in New Mexico in terms of scenery and topography. Starting in the Jemez mountains with large pine forests, this trail transitions to mesa prairie, and then dives…
Learn more about St. Peters Dome Wilderness Exploration Route

This is a peaceful, easy, beautiful trail that winds through aspen glades, scrub oak, ponderosa pines, and beautiful meadows. The trail is mostly level with gradual climbs and descents. The west end connects with FR…
Learn more about Easy Cruise - FS 315

This scenic route drives through the eastern edge of Valle San Antonio, before going through a ravine and opening into the wide open spaces of Valle Toledo. It is the primary access route for many…
Learn more about Valle Toledo Road

This trail connects FR 315- Easy Cruise with FR 316- Coyote Canyon. It travels through dense forests and open meadows. Majestic Ponderosa Pine trees tower 150 feet in the air slightly higher than the fir…
Learn more about Mesa del Ojo - FS 453

This route travels through the dense forest on the north side of Cerro Jarocito, which stands at over 9,800 feet, from FR 93 Resumidero Falls to FR 93 Red Mud Rumble. A few wildfires have…
Learn more about FR 93 Diego Springs

This easy route connects the Coyote Canyon Camping area with FR 103 Mountain Escape. It travels through an incredible ponderosa pine forest that still shows the burn scars of the Diego Fire in 2014. The…
Learn more about FR 316 Coyote Canyon

At the end of the trail, there are beautiful views of the surrounding red mesas and mountaintops. The route is an unmaintained dirt road that breaks off from FR316. During rain/snow conditions, the route is…
Learn more about Pinabetosa Water Break

The route begins from FR316 and travels along FR103 to the Rio Puerco Campground. The route is a maintained Forest Service road consisting of dirt/gravel. During the spring/winter, the route will have north-facing areas that…
Learn more about Run to Rio Puerco Campground

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…
Learn more about Burny Cole Point - FR 99

This rocky route travels along Coyote Creek on the western side and then climbs steeply through thick scrub oak to ponderosa pine meadows on the eastern side where it meets FR 100. The scrub oak…
Learn more about FR 317 Hey Bear?

This sandy, rutted route leads past Mesa de Cuba, the most eastern of the five mesas that comprise the San Juan Basin Badlands. There are a few places to park along the road. A short…
Learn more about Mesa de Cuba

This trail follows FR 93 and connects to FR 93 Resumidero Meadow Camping and either FR 93 Diego Springs or FR 91 San Pedro Mountain Views. It is an easy trail that has a pull-off…
Learn more about Resumidero Falls