Beginner Off-Road Trails Near La Joya, New Mexico

This is a wide-open sky drive that starts on the northwest side of the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge. It winds around the striking Ladron (Thieves) Mountain. There are a few scattered ranches but most of the…
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This is a spur trail off Riley CR 12. It winds around some small hills and ends at a picturesque windmill, watering tank, and building ruins. The majestic Ladron mountains create the backdrop. Locals target…
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San Lorenzo Canyon is a series of rock formations and canyons on the southern border of Servilleta Wildlife Refuge. This area features numerous hiking and camping opportunities in a unique landscape not far from Albuquerque.…
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This relatively flat, sandy route travels on the east side of the Veranito Wilderness Study Area and the south side of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. There are some erosion issues, especially toward the end…
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This spur route heads south from Riley County Road 12. It leads to gorgeous views of the Ladron Mountains and open areas for hiking and exploring. There are some old uranium prospects and mines in…
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As this route climbs Johnson Hill, it follows the National Historical Trail the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. This translates to The Royal Road of the Interior Land. It was also known as the…
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This route is officially WSMR P Route 5 but most of the signs are gone. It is a smooth sailing, picturesque route that travels along ridges and drops into arroyos and drainages. The vegetation is…
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Coyote Exit begins just off the Quebradas Backcountry Byway, works its way around the Cerillos de Coyote plateaus, and culminates into a panorama overlook of the surrounding mountain ranges. This includes the Sierra de la…
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The Quebradas Backcountry Byway is a National Scenic Byway, starting north of Socorro and zipping through the desert down to Highway 380. Along the way, you will see a variety of desert landscapes, with rainbow-hued…
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Lower Arroyo de Los Pinos is an essential trail often used to access the larger trail system in the area. It branches directly off Quebradas Backcountry Byway Road and is located just shortly after the…
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This spur route travels southeast from Riley CR 12 toward Ladron Mountain. The road continues into the Ladron Wilderness Study Area and can serve as the starting point for a hike into the rugged wilderness.…
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This trail is a shortcut to the Ladron Wilderness Study Area and parking for hiking into the Ladron Wilderness. There are many stories and legends of treasure hidden in this area. The name Ladron translates…
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Riley S. FSR 354 runs almost the entire distance from Magdalena to the ghost town of Riley in the north. There are no large obstacles along the road, but there are sections of severe washboarding…
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Jack's Valley begins on a wide-open and almost unobstructed two-track trail that gradually becomes extremely narrow once in the canyon. The beginning of the trail is a combination of dirt and rocks with only a…
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Strozzi Road/FS-505 is a connecting trail that can be run from north-south or south-north, connecting Highway 60 at the north to Water Canyon Road at the south. Starting the trail from the north, the first…
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This route is one of the many lesser-known desert crossing routes that branch off the Quebradas Backcountry byway, connecting back to the Rio Grande. The land on either side of this route is typically used…
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This is a scenic drive starting at Hwy 60 in the high desert. You go through a gate to enter onto BLM land. At the entrance, there is a sign that states "Primitive road not…
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Short Wash is just as exactly as it's named. The very short wash track will take drivers over a very soft sand and shale surface through some great scenery that will easily be completed by…
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An easy and well-maintained county road that provides access to a public shooting range as well as access to the Chupadera mountains. This road is accessible year-round to any passenger vehicle. The gun club road…
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Bear Spring is overall a very well-maintained road with the majority being wide enough for two vehicles. There are no major obstacles along the road, however, drivers should be aware of the low-lying washes that…
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This route travels through the southern tip of the Manzano Mountains and connects the village of Manzano on State Highway 131 with State Highway 60. It travels along a right-of-way through private property on both…
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The route through Madera Canyon is a hidden gem showcasing the Chupadera mountains, wildlife, sandy creek beds, and ultimately ancient slot canyons. The route begins as a well-maintained county road just outside of San Antonio…
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This road winds up South Baldy mountain through the Cibola National Forest to the Magdalena Ridge Observatory and Langmuir Laboratory and Atmospheric Research. The road is a well-maintained dirt road for the research facility to…
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Unity Mine is a trail located just to the south of the Kelly, NM ghost town and southeast of Magdalena, NM. Rich in New Mexico mining history, this trail leads up a narrow mountain road…
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The Molino Peak Trail is a short, 5.3-mile route that takes you up past an old manganese mine (The Manganese Chief Mine). It winds its way up an old two-track that becomes progressively rockier the…
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Bear Mountain Foothills is a very easily navigated trail that is primarily dirt and has no major obstacles and will be suitable for most vehicles including high clearance 2WD but does appear to be unmaintained.…
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Mill Canyon is unique in its quick change from low, rolling foothills, to a quick push of a more tree-dense forest road. During the dry seasons, most high-clearance AWD vehicles should be able to complete…
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Buckhorn is one of several great beginner trails in the Bear Mountains area offing multiple surface types that will be suitable for most high-clearance AWD and 4WD vehicles. The surface varies from dirt hard-pack and…
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Gallinas Canyon connects from CR 169 to Council Rock/FSR 10 and can be run as an out-and-back or as a loop utilizing one of two available motorized spurs off the main track. While the majority…
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Council Rock/FSR 10 is a unique trail in the area, as it appears to be heavily and well-maintained. The trail will be easily completed by most high-clearance 2WD vehicles during dry weather, but due to…
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