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

SS1161 is a point-to-point trail that starts at the end of SS1162 at the top of the wash. This quickly drops into a wide 2-track wash that has overgrown sections and follows the South side of the Wilderness area. Stay on the trail; no motorized use north of the trail. It will S-curve through the was...
Learn more about Ss1161

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

Ss1156 is a point-to-point wash trail around the base of Gold Hill. This trail travels east and west from Ss1127 to Ss1155. The trail is bumpy, with thick sections of loose 6-12” rocks; it is lined with desert landscape to the north. The trail follows the base of the mountain. No obstacles, nothing ...
Learn more about SS1156

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

Trail SS1126 starts off SS1127 on open private property at the livestock tank. Use caution; livestock are around. Go through the unlocked red gate, cross to the other corner to get back to the BLM trail. This is a wide gravel trail with a rock berm that takes you to the base of the mountain to anoth...
Learn more about Ss1126

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

Ss1155 starts at the intersection of Ss1157 or at Ss1127; this is another great connector trail to Gold Hill or the wilderness area in the mountains. It is a wide, 2-lane trail used frequently, an out-and-back trail lined with desert creosote, mesquite, and a few barrel cacti and Yucca. The trail ru...
Learn more about Ss1155

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