Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Roswell, New Mexico

Calf Crossing starts and ends at gated private property lines, and intersects off Baca Traverse. This trail has the potential to be very muddy, with signs of rutting and washes, as well as multiple small water crossings after rain or snow melt. The trail surface is primarily dirt and rocks with some...
Learn more about Calf Crossing

The trail is a pass through trail that gives access to other trails in the Capitan Mountains. It consists of rocky terrain that has multiple rock gardens that have rocks up to 12 inches in height with off-camber areas. There are some washout areas that are rutted, and can be muddy depending on the w...
Learn more about Seven Cabins

Salazar Canyon East begins just east of Baca campground inside a private land boundary before returning to USFS. The surface is a combination of rock and dirt with some small rock gardens, low-lying areas that have the potential to be shallow water crossings, and some spots being primarily rocks. Th...
Learn more about Salazar Canyon East

Baca Traverse sits in the foothills of the Capitan Mountains and starts out with some minor off-camber rutted areas that are a combination of rocks and dirt. The initial ascent opens up to a more rocky surface and provides a rock garden with some steps and the option of several different lines to ch...
Learn more about Baca Traverse

This area is mostly flat and desolate. However, this trail will bring you scenic views of the Pecos River and put you back into the old west. This trail will take you down into a shallow valley mostly made up of sand and a little rock. It will take you to a dried-up lake unless it's monsoon season. ...
Learn more about Outlaw Lookout

The trail is well maintained and easily accessible by most vehicles, however, 2WD passenger vehicles may find some of the rocky areas difficult. The road is primarily dirt and gravel mixed with some rock gardens and minor rutting. While dry, the road provides a very easy and scenic drive with views ...
Learn more about Hale Lake Trail

Eagle Lakes is a canyon-to-ridge trail that can be accessed and completed from its east or west entrance. From the east entrance, the trail starts lower in a valley and ascends to its ridge line before dropping back down on the west end. The surface starts differently on each end, with a primarily r...
Learn more about Eagle Lakes

North Coe is located just south of the Fort Stanton NCA and Fort Stanton historical site and is an out-and-back trail. The trail provides amazing views in every direction and is passable by most 4x4 with a majority of the obstacles being under 12". The trail has two entryways, the northern entry (fi...
Learn more about North Coe

Five Mile Pass is an unmaintained trail that tracks one of several valleys in the area with some changes in elevation and great views. The road is primarily dirt and rock, with some rock gardens towards the eastern portion. Signs of light maintenance at the middle of the trail, possibly by local ran...
Learn more about Five Mile Pass

Capitan Gap is a locally well-known and well-traversed out-and-back trail with wide open views, steep grades, and many dispersed camp sites. While the burn scar is still very visible, the trail features an abundance of foliage and wildlife. The trail starts out at the base of the foothills with sign...
Learn more about Capitan Gap

Trail starts off of a grated gravel road but quickly becomes rocky and sandy terrain. Multiple areas where rocks are up to 12 inches in height with loose rock gardens. There are heavy rutted areas that are off camber with multiple washouts. There are dispersed camping lots off the trail with rock fi...
Learn more about South Base

Pecos River Cruise is an easy-to-moderate 3.7-mile off-road trail located near Brantley Dam in New Mexico, perfect for drivers seeking a scenic riverside drive with access to excellent fishing spots. Running along the banks of the Pecos River, this route features a sandy surface and minimal elevatio...
Learn more about Pecos River Cruise

West Mountain is located just to the west of the Capitan Mountains and north of the town of Capitan, NM, and is a narrow, mostly single-vehicle wide, out-and-back trail with several spurs available to explore. The trail appears to have had some recent maintenance completed towards the entrance, howe...
Learn more about West Mountain

Cactus Canyon is an out-and-back spur trail that kicks off at Eagle Lakes. Starting higher in elevation on a smoother dirt surface, the trail changes quickly after passing through the one gate roughly 1 mile from the beginning. The trail is single-vehicle wide, with room to pass within the first mil...
Learn more about Cactus Canyon

Guadalupe Rim Road runs almost the entire length of the Guadalupe Mountain Range of Lincoln National Forest. Located in the southeast portion of New Mexico, it lies just north of the Texas border and offers substantial views, variations in terrain, and dispersed camping opportunities. The road is ju...
Learn more about Guadalupe Rim Road

This area is mostly flat and full of ranches. But this trail provides some scenic sights of Cibolo Creek and its eroded banks and, as an added bonus, you drive right past the grave of famed outlaw Billy the Kid the get to the trailhead! This trail is used by ranchers and wandering cattle from time t...
Learn more about Billy the Kid Loop

This out-and-back trail is a combination of dirt and rocks. While there are no obstacles larger than 10", there are some areas that have the potential to be shallow water crossings. During dry weather, the trail will be easily completed by most high-clearance 2WD and any AWD or 4x4. The track is pri...
Learn more about Wet Burnt Can

Dog Canyon is a well-maintained road that is a combination of rock and dirt surfaces. Wide open meadows throughout with rolling hills surrounding the area and canyon walls towards the east end before intersecting with Chimney Lake. Some small rock gardens and loose gravel make the drive slightly rou...
Learn more about Dog Canyon

FS176 includes both Chimney Lake and turns into Angel Canyon. The route is two vehicles wide, comprised of a combination of rock and dirt with some small rock gardens, and is overall well maintained and should be easily completed by most AWD or 4x4 vehicles. There are no obstacles larger than 8", ho...
Learn more about Chimney Lake to Angel Canyon (FS176)

Curtis Canyon is a very easy-going trail in a lightly wooded area located in the heart of Lincoln National Forest. The trail surface is primarily dirt with some lightly rocky areas and small rock gardens. Snow melt is present after the winter months and provides some shallow water crossings, with so...
Learn more about Curtis Canyon

Calf Crossing starts and ends at gated private property lines, and intersects off Baca Traverse. This trail has the potential to be very muddy, with signs of rutting and washes, as well as multiple small water crossings after rain or snow melt. The trail surface is primarily dirt and rocks with some...
Learn more about Calf Crossing

Salazar Canyon East begins just east of Baca campground inside a private land boundary before returning to USFS. The surface is a combination of rock and dirt with some small rock gardens, low-lying areas that have the potential to be shallow water crossings, and some spots being primarily rocks. Th...
Learn more about Salazar Canyon East

Baca Traverse sits in the foothills of the Capitan Mountains and starts out with some minor off-camber rutted areas that are a combination of rocks and dirt. The initial ascent opens up to a more rocky surface and provides a rock garden with some steps and the option of several different lines to ch...
Learn more about Baca Traverse

The trail is well maintained and easily accessible by most vehicles, however, 2WD passenger vehicles may find some of the rocky areas difficult. The road is primarily dirt and gravel mixed with some rock gardens and minor rutting. While dry, the road provides a very easy and scenic drive with views ...
Learn more about Hale Lake Trail

Calf Crossing starts and ends at gated private property lines, and intersects off Baca Traverse. This trail has the potential to be very muddy, with signs of rutting and washes, as well as multiple small water crossings after rain or snow melt. The trail surface is primarily dirt and rocks with some...
Learn more about Calf Crossing

Salazar Canyon East begins just east of Baca campground inside a private land boundary before returning to USFS. The surface is a combination of rock and dirt with some small rock gardens, low-lying areas that have the potential to be shallow water crossings, and some spots being primarily rocks. Th...
Learn more about Salazar Canyon East

Baca Traverse sits in the foothills of the Capitan Mountains and starts out with some minor off-camber rutted areas that are a combination of rocks and dirt. The initial ascent opens up to a more rocky surface and provides a rock garden with some steps and the option of several different lines to ch...
Learn more about Baca Traverse

The trail is well maintained and easily accessible by most vehicles, however, 2WD passenger vehicles may find some of the rocky areas difficult. The road is primarily dirt and gravel mixed with some rock gardens and minor rutting. While dry, the road provides a very easy and scenic drive with views ...
Learn more about Hale Lake Trail