Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Pinehill, New Mexico

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

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…
Learn more about Lone Mountain FS312

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…
Learn more about Sawtooth FS6A

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…
Learn more about Mt. Taylor Peak 4x4 Road

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…
Learn more about Davenport Canyon FS6

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…
Learn more about Slash Draw

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"…
Learn more about Swingle Canyon FS62

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…
Learn more about Crosby Canyon FS66

This loop takes you from Arizona into New Mexico crossing the border line. The trail surface is smooth with occasional small potholes. This trail passes by many meadows surrounded by tall pine trees. You will…
Learn more about Meadow Loop

This trail travels behind the Escudilla Mountain, providing beautiful scenery. This is not a difficult road as it appears to be well maintained. This is a good trail to spend a few hours with others…
Learn more about Beyond Escudilla

The Homestead Loop covers serene trails starting in Arizona and a brief pass through New Mexico before returning to State 48. Flanked by tall trees and grassy fields, the route is smooth with some sections…
Learn more about Homestead Loop

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…
Learn more about Gallinas Palisade

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…
Learn more about Council Rock

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…
Learn more about The Array Loop

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…
Learn more about Adobe Springs

Beautiful Views of Round Valley, Nutrioso, Black River Canyon, North East Fork Black River and more as you climb up and over a couple mountain ranges and drop into the valleys below. Along this route,…
Learn more about North Fork East Fork Black River Canyon

Relatively easy trail to one of the more remote ruins of the Chaco Canyon culture. The trail was rutted and uneven, and the last few hundred yards had significant mud due to recent rains. Otherwise,…
Learn more about Chaco Canyon to Kin Klizhin

This route takes you from US 180/191 up to Terry Flat on the Escudilla Mountains. It passes by Hulsey Lake, a quiet fishing spot, is also along the route. It is also the route to…
Learn more about Escudilla Mountain

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…
Learn more about McGee Spring

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…
Learn more about Gallinas Canyon

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…
Learn more about Cibola Overlook

This trail travels above the Alpine Divide and along a head of the San Francisco River. Much of this area was burned out in the Bear Wallow fire of 2011. Although the scarred area itself…
Learn more about Noble Mountain

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.…
Learn more about Bear Mountain Foothills

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…
Learn more about Wilderness Study Areas

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…
Learn more about Sargent Canyon

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

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…
Learn more about Buckhorn FS24

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

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,…
Learn more about Old Canyon FR 220