Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Medanales, New Mexico

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

Clara Peak a relatively relaxed drive starting through the plains of the lower BLM land east of Espanola before starting to climb in the Santa Fe National Forest. 31 mile road which lasts the majority of the drive is a well maintained dirt road with spectacular views of the surrounding area. When yo...
Learn more about Clara Peak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tightrope Connector is a very short single track through a grassy high desert terrain that links Maria's Canyon Road to Beanfield Ridge. It provides a method of jumping into some technical single track more early on and linking into the middle of Beanfield Ridge trail. The trail itself is a mix of s...
Learn more about Tightrope Connector

Beanfield Ridge is a short single track through a grassy high desert terrain that is easy to miss from both entrances because there are no trail markings in this area. It departs from Maria's Canyon Road and goes along a ridge on the top of a dry grassy mesa. The trail is a mix of sand, gravel, and ...
Learn more about Beanfield Ridge

Truck Trl FSR-123 is a point-to-point trail connecting from the south at FSR-44 to the north at FSR-106 and is primarily softer dirt prone to rutting and mud after rain or snow melt. Rutting averages around 12 inches in depth, with the occasional loose rocks up to 10 inches in size. The trail will b...
Learn more about Truck Trl FSR-123

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 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

Guaje Trail is Forest Service Road #803. The lower portion of the trail from town is fairly mild and traverses the ridge top. As the trail climbs, expect a shelf road with a fairly steep grade and lots of loose rocky boulders. The dirt on the ridge top can become very slick and muddy during rainfall...
Learn more about Guaje

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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