Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Pie Town, New Mexico

Lone Mountain is a spur that leads to the foothills of Lone Mountain and Castle Dome just to the west of the Sawtooth trail. The trail is primarily soft dirt and sand that will be…
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Sawtooth is located at the most western portion of the Datil Mountain range in Cibola National Forest and will be easily driven by most vehicles including passenger cars. The road is very well maintained with…
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This road will be easily completed by most vehicles including passenger cars when dry. However, due to the soft dirt surface, expect mud and rutting after rains or snow melt. The road is very well…
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Swingle Canyon can be run from either the west off Slash Draw/FS63 or from the east off Highway 60. Coming from the east expect some loose, rocky ascents with some obstacles being close to 12"…
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This out-and-back trail runs through the central portion of the Datil Mountain Range and offers a little bit of everything from dirt and rocks to low-level washes that have the potential to be water crossings…
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Crosby Canyon is located just west of the Village of Datil, NM, and connects Highway 60 to Highway 12 and can be run from either direction. Starting from the Highway 60 side the trail begins…
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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…
Learn more about Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway

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…
Learn more about Hole in the Wall at Malpais National Monument

Driving on an off-road trail in the Cibola National Forest near the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico is an exhilarating and scenic experience. The Cibola National Forest encompasses a vast area of rugged…
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The off-road trail near the VLA may offer various lookout points and vantage spots, allowing you to pause, take in the scenery, and capture memorable photographs. Keep an eye out for wildlife sightings, as the…
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Gallinas Palisade treks along from the eastern foothills of the Gallinas Mountains, around the northern end near Gallinas Peak, and onward to the west, providing views of the Gallinas Mountains, Lion Mountain, and Madre Mountains…
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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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Starting in the flats of the Plains of San Austin, Sargent Canyon leads to Forest Road 549 passing through the Very Large Array and offering a chance to see the dishes from the road. Easily…
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Uneven two-track leading to private property with homestead ruins visible from the fence. This trail may be short, but it offers some of the best shade in the area due to tree canopy cover in…
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The Old Canyon trail, or FR 220, is an easy and well-established trail that connects FR 549 to the Array Loop. Dropping into Bolander Canyon and ending at Durfee Canyon in the Cibola National Forest,…
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Located in the northwestern foothills of the San Mateo Mountains range, Baney Canyon features an overall well-maintained road. The surface changes from dirt to rocky sections several times, with a few low-lying washes, but will…
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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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McGee Spring is a fun trail for vehicles that can handle and navigate soft sand and shale. The trail connects from CR 169 to a mid-point on Gallinas Canyon/FSR 467 and has no obstacles over…
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Mount Withington dominates the landscape around the Very Large Array, rising to just over 10,000 ft. In the spirit of adventure, it just begs those driving nearby to drivers to go see if they can…
Learn more about Mount Withington via Monica Saddle

Little Rosa Base follows the northern foothills and grasslands of the Withington Wilderness and is a point-to-point trail connecting FSR-549 to CR-107. The views along the route are mostly wide open and give a great…
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Arroyo Montosa begins just over 2 miles after entering Forest Road 10 off Highway 169 and is an out-and-back trail. This track runs along the southern portion of the Bear Mountain Range in Cibola National…
Learn more about Arroyo Montosa FS 10A

Forest Road 549, also known as "Old State Highway 52" makes for a fun day drive with plenty to see along the way. As the name implies, before the current highway 52 was built, this…
Learn more about Old State Highway 52 - FR 549

Adobe Springs is an easy, maintained road in the lesser traveled section of the Cibola NF north of Highway 60. This road is simple to navigate with any vehicle but makes up for the lack…
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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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This northern section of North Star connects from Chloride Canyon to SR163 at O-Bar-O Ranch. Those looking for easy access to North Star going south towards the Sapillo area or Silver City can take SR163…
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House Mountain Road is a provide-all trail that begins on a rutted dirt surface, just over single vehicle width, and narrows as it continues to its abundant features. Lined with trees for the majority of…
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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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This is an alternate route approaching the highlands surrounding Mt. Withington. Highlights of this road include unique rock formations, sweeping vistas, and downright spooky drives through previously burned forests. One section of the route drives…
Learn more about Tower Peak via Rosedale Road

Adobe Ranch Road is the camper's dream. Although the surface does have some significant rutting, most high-clearance 2WD vehicles will be able to complete the trail in its entirety as there are no other major…
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Easily accessed from highway 52, this simple trail leads into the Cibola National Forest ending with a view of Mt. Welty. This trail passes private property, please be respectful. The end of this trail offers…
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