Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Playas, New Mexico

SS1170 was originally a loop trail; however they can no longer be run as a loop. Only 2 sections have access from the north side of the train tracks, and you can only access them from SS1169. Over the track, access has been removed by the Union Pacific Railroad, and erosion has removed access under ...
Learn more about SS1170 - Part B

SS1170 section A is a natural 2 track running across the desert. Surrounded by a difficult-to-see trail. This trail is quickly disappearing back into nature. Eventually, this trail drops into a high, eroded wash and turns left to navigate around the mountain. One small section of dirt bike trail goe...
Learn more about Ss1170 Part A

There is a Forest Service gate at the beginning of the trail; it is not locked, just chained. Once you undo the chain, you'll drive in and close the gate behind you. Once on public land, the trail is extremely narrow. If you're worried about pinstripes, this trail is not for you. After the first mil...
Learn more about Peterson Canyon

SS1169 starts at the end of SS1167; the trail heads southwest before curving to the west. The route is a wide gravel trail with plenty of bumps, loose rock, and numerous whoops. A couple of the larger transitions can do damage if you are going too fast and not paying attention. The trail passes thro...
Learn more about SS1169

Ss1168 runs east/west through Powers Canyon. The trail has several washouts and ruts; watch your speed. Trail starts at the intersection of Ss1167 and Ss1169. It crosses a very wide wash impassable in wet conditions. Potential Flash flood area. After the wash, there is a section of private property;...
Learn more about SS1168

This 7.3 mile trail begins at FS 861 (Knight Canyon Road) and US 90. The trail begins on a 2-track, full size sandy dirt road that climbs gently up to the first gate. You'll continue along Knight Canyon as it winds through a wide sandy wash. Along the way, you will pass a windmill and an incredibly ...
Learn more about Knight Canyon Road to Mill Canyon Road

SS1167 is a north-south trail that runs along the outskirts of the Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness Area. Stay on the designated trail; the wilderness area is to the west and is closed to motorized travel. The northern section follows a rocky wash with a few narrow areas and several small rock garden...
Learn more about SS1167

FS 836 leads to Jacks Peak which is the highest point in the area at 7966 feet elevation. Being the highest point in the area, Jacks Peak has numerous communication towers. This road is rough, rocky, and seems longer than it is as you bounce along. Be aware of the numerous worker vehicles of those t...
Learn more about FS 836 Jacks Peak Road

This is an easy, sandy route through gorgeous terrain. The shoulders of the road are deep sand and should be avoided. The rocks, Alligator Juniper, Pinon Trees, Cholla Cactus and Palm Yuccas create a spectacular view of converging life zones. In Merriam's Life Zones, this area has the Lower Sonoran,...
Learn more about Upper Gold Gulch

This is an easy road that climbs up from the juniper woodlands to ponderosa forest. It offers Continental Divide Trail access--in fact, the CDT is on the road for a while. There are several campsites at the start of the road. A corral at the end of the road looks like it may still be in use. Look ou...
Learn more about FS 828

Tex Canyon Road begins as a well-maintained route before entering forested foothills at the base of the mountains. Several spurs and side trails offer opportunities for exploration. As the road climbs, it becomes moderately rocky but remains navigable. Upon exiting Coronado National Forest, the road...
Learn more about Tex Canyon Road

SS1149 is a difficult trail to find once you find it off SS1158A; then the next task is to get the knot undone to open the gate closed. Keep the gate closed if you accomplish the knot. This is a sandy trail, not deep, but sand. You will head east on a natural trail across the desert. Full of desert ...
Learn more about SS1149

This short and rough trail leads to the Silver Dollar Mine and townsite. It is a great picnic spot and plan time to poke around the townsite foundations. The mine head frame is visible to the west from Tyrone Thompson Canyon Road. The mine looks closer than it is. The townsite is straight ahead as y...
Learn more about FS 4089 T Silver Dollar Mine

This is an easy scenic drive with great views. This road is a great way to get into the Burro Mountains from the north or exit back to pavement from the south. It crosses private property on the north end. Stay on the road and leave gates as you find them. The ranching and mining history of the area...
Learn more about Willow Creek/Shrine Mine Road

This route begins from FS 4090 C and dead ends at the Burro Mountain Homestead Gate 7. That gate is locked. The Alligator Juniper that line the road is hundreds and hundreds of years old. These massive trees only grow in northern Mexico and the Southwestern US. The Alligator Juniper also called t...
Learn more about FS 4248 Y Alligator Juniper Jungle

This short trail marked as FS 4090 B is used as the emergency evacuation route for the Burro Mountain Homestead. The Burro Mountain Homestead is the former Summer Home Ranch and Stagecoach Stop built in the 1880s. This trail is sandy and has the erosion issues that many trails in the area have. It ...
Learn more about FS 4090 B Evacuation Route

The trail begins at the tidy and well-kept Walnut Grove Campground and starts out on a well-maintained path. Grasslands stretch out to the left and across the valley, gradually giving way to pine forests as you leave the mesquite lowlands behind. The route winds through the hills and becomes moderat...
Learn more about Rucker Canyon

The Burro Mountain OHV/ATV trails are narrow and numerous trees overhang the trails. Attempts are made to trim the trees but erosion causes the trails to change due to the water ruts that can cut through the sandy soil. It is difficult to avoid scratching your ATV. Flags and high packs should be ...
Learn more about FS 911 Access

This route follows the Old Tyrone Road which was primarily used to go into the Burro Mountains. The mine changed that access. Now, the main road is Tyrone Thompson Road. The old townsite of Tyrone, at the north end of this road, was also consumed by the massive operation of the Tyrone Mine. The ro...
Learn more about FS 91 Old Tyrone Road

The Chiricahua Byway is an easy forest trail that takes you across the highest "Sky Island" district in Arizona. This trail provides incredible views of the Sonoran Desert, Mexico, New Mexico, and southern Arizona. There are ample camping spots all along this route from paid sites with toilets to pr...
Learn more about Chiricahua Byway

SS1170 was originally a loop trail; however they can no longer be run as a loop. Only 2 sections have access from the north side of the train tracks, and you can only access them from SS1169. Over the track, access has been removed by the Union Pacific Railroad, and erosion has removed access under ...
Learn more about SS1170 - Part B

SS1170 section A is a natural 2 track running across the desert. Surrounded by a difficult-to-see trail. This trail is quickly disappearing back into nature. Eventually, this trail drops into a high, eroded wash and turns left to navigate around the mountain. One small section of dirt bike trail goe...
Learn more about Ss1170 Part A

There is a Forest Service gate at the beginning of the trail; it is not locked, just chained. Once you undo the chain, you'll drive in and close the gate behind you. Once on public land, the trail is extremely narrow. If you're worried about pinstripes, this trail is not for you. After the first mil...
Learn more about Peterson Canyon

SS1169 starts at the end of SS1167; the trail heads southwest before curving to the west. The route is a wide gravel trail with plenty of bumps, loose rock, and numerous whoops. A couple of the larger transitions can do damage if you are going too fast and not paying attention. The trail passes thro...
Learn more about SS1169

SS1170 was originally a loop trail; however they can no longer be run as a loop. Only 2 sections have access from the north side of the train tracks, and you can only access them from SS1169. Over the track, access has been removed by the Union Pacific Railroad, and erosion has removed access under ...
Learn more about SS1170 - Part B

SS1170 section A is a natural 2 track running across the desert. Surrounded by a difficult-to-see trail. This trail is quickly disappearing back into nature. Eventually, this trail drops into a high, eroded wash and turns left to navigate around the mountain. One small section of dirt bike trail goe...
Learn more about Ss1170 Part A

There is a Forest Service gate at the beginning of the trail; it is not locked, just chained. Once you undo the chain, you'll drive in and close the gate behind you. Once on public land, the trail is extremely narrow. If you're worried about pinstripes, this trail is not for you. After the first mil...
Learn more about Peterson Canyon

SS1169 starts at the end of SS1167; the trail heads southwest before curving to the west. The route is a wide gravel trail with plenty of bumps, loose rock, and numerous whoops. A couple of the larger transitions can do damage if you are going too fast and not paying attention. The trail passes thro...
Learn more about SS1169