Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Moquino, New Mexico

This 4x4 road is a great intro to overlanding, with stunning views and minimal technical obstacles. Starting from Grants, the road climbs almost 5000 feet to within 1/2 mile of Mt. Taylor peak. The road starts off as graded gravel, giving way to a more primitive dirt road, which is easily passable i...
Learn more about Mt. Taylor Peak 4x4 Road

Southern Circle is located on BLM land in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. This trail can give you access to some tribal land, so be careful not to take other routes. It is an easy off-road drive through the desert. The trail is easy and well-maintained dirt roads, some rocky roadsand loose rocks. You will a...
Learn more about Southern Circle

This trail follows BLM 1103 from the floor of the Rio Puerco Valley up a steep, rocky section to the top of a mesa. The route travels between the Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area, Chamisa Wilderness Study Area and the Empedrado Wilderness Study Area . There are numerous pull off parking spaces o...
Learn more about Wilderness Study Areas

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 some bumps, dips, and ruts and can be slick with the slightest bit of moisture.
Learn more about South Pipeline Road

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 1113 that is closed to vehicles. There is a wire gate that one must pass through;please be sure to clo...
Learn more about Cabezon Detour

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 water can run deep through the narrow, steep drainage and both sides can be slick.
Learn more about North 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 dirt road. It takes you up a ridge with excellent views of the surrounding desert and ...
Learn more about Backway to Cabezon Peak

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 admire the high desert landscape and various geologic rock formations. There are no obstacles ...
Learn more about San Luis Road to Guadalupe

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 areas to access the trails. Most of the route borders the Ojito Wilderness to the north and BLM land to...
Learn more about Cabezon Road

This excellent day trip starts on the western edge of Malpais National Monument, drives by the Big Tubes cave system and then crosses an easy introduction to driving over rock before accessing the "Hole in the Wall" in back country of Malpais Wilderness. Malpais consists of a series of large lava fi...
Learn more about Hole in the Wall at Malpais National Monument

The trail travels along the south and west boundaries of the El Malpais National Monument and surrounding BLM land. The trail begins in a wide-open plain with desert scrub largely used for cattle grazing before passing into a desert forest, passing numerous volcanic cinder cones with side trails. Th...
Learn more about Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway

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. There are no designated hiking trails in this area and cell phone activity can be limited.
Learn more about Ladron Wilderness Access

Forest Loop Road 445 leads from NM Highway 165 to the northern base of the Sandia Mountains and back to NM 165. The western side of the loop is more difficult with some washouts, arroyos and water ruts. The eastern side of the loop is easier. The northern trailhead of the difficult Piedra Lisa Hikin...
Learn more about Forest Loop Road 445

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 initially blasted to make way for the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway. Along the rest of...
Learn more about FS376

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 into Thieves Mountain. According to lore, thieves would rob the wagon trains, travelers, and ...
Learn more about Ladron Wilderness Shortcut

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 occasional rocky patches further along. When wet, the surface can become slick with muddy ruts. A stock 4x4 w...
Learn more about Revengers Ride

This short up-and-back road travels through private land and ends at the Tunnel Springs Trailhead with great views. It is steep in spots with some large holes and ruts. The parking area is small. The two hiking trails that start at the trailhead are the moderately rated 4.6-mile Tunnel Springs Loop ...
Learn more about Tunnel Springs Road

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 the area as well. Driving off the designated roads is prohibited. Road conditions vary due to erosion ...
Learn more about Ladron View

This trail is on the back side of the Sandia Mountain range. You can access this trail via Highway 165 in Placitas, New Mexico, or Highway 536 in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, off Highway 14. From Highway 165, there is a little spot to pull off and air down, right before the road turns to dirt. Despite a...
Learn more about Palo Duroso Canyon

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 miles. This road starts as an easy gravel road and then transitions into areas where there is snow and washed-out roads. There are d...
Learn more about Bear Springs Road 266

This 4x4 road is a great intro to overlanding, with stunning views and minimal technical obstacles. Starting from Grants, the road climbs almost 5000 feet to within 1/2 mile of Mt. Taylor peak. The road starts off as graded gravel, giving way to a more primitive dirt road, which is easily passable i...
Learn more about Mt. Taylor Peak 4x4 Road

Southern Circle is located on BLM land in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. This trail can give you access to some tribal land, so be careful not to take other routes. It is an easy off-road drive through the desert. The trail is easy and well-maintained dirt roads, some rocky roadsand loose rocks. You will a...
Learn more about Southern Circle

This trail follows BLM 1103 from the floor of the Rio Puerco Valley up a steep, rocky section to the top of a mesa. The route travels between the Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area, Chamisa Wilderness Study Area and the Empedrado Wilderness Study Area . There are numerous pull off parking spaces o...
Learn more about Wilderness Study Areas

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 some bumps, dips, and ruts and can be slick with the slightest bit of moisture.
Learn more about South Pipeline Road

This 4x4 road is a great intro to overlanding, with stunning views and minimal technical obstacles. Starting from Grants, the road climbs almost 5000 feet to within 1/2 mile of Mt. Taylor peak. The road starts off as graded gravel, giving way to a more primitive dirt road, which is easily passable i...
Learn more about Mt. Taylor Peak 4x4 Road

Southern Circle is located on BLM land in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. This trail can give you access to some tribal land, so be careful not to take other routes. It is an easy off-road drive through the desert. The trail is easy and well-maintained dirt roads, some rocky roadsand loose rocks. You will a...
Learn more about Southern Circle

This trail follows BLM 1103 from the floor of the Rio Puerco Valley up a steep, rocky section to the top of a mesa. The route travels between the Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area, Chamisa Wilderness Study Area and the Empedrado Wilderness Study Area . There are numerous pull off parking spaces o...
Learn more about Wilderness Study Areas

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 some bumps, dips, and ruts and can be slick with the slightest bit of moisture.
Learn more about South Pipeline Road