Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near San Acacia, New Mexico

San Lorenzo Canyon is a series of rock formations and canyons on the southern border of Servilleta Wildlife Refuge. This area features numerous hiking and camping opportunities in a unique landscape not far from Albuquerque. It's a favorite day trip for locals, and you will often find others here hi...
Learn more about San Lorenzo Canyon

This relatively flat, sandy route travels on the east side of the Veranito Wilderness Study Area and the south side of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. There are some erosion issues, especially toward the end of the route. It dead ends at a geological gap curiously named Puertecito of Bowling...
Learn more about Puertecito of Bowling Green

As this route climbs Johnson Hill, it follows the National Historical Trail the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. This translates to The Royal Road of the Interior Land. It was also known as the Silver Route. It is a 1,590-mile road between Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo (Ohkay Owingeh), New Mexico...
Learn more about Johnson Hill View

A very scenic arroyo trail with portions of deep, loose rock throughout, multiple offshoots of trail options, and several rock gardens with a small rock crawl, with a bypass available. The trail includes a sharp rock descent at one point. Trailhead starts at the north staging area, with a gate that ...
Learn more about Arroyo De La Parida

There are offshoots of steep, sandy slopes from the top of the ridge. This trail has loose rock along the way, 3 inches or so of sand, with portions of deeper sand that can be navigated while maintaining momentum. There are parts that are rutted, with ups and downs, parts that are smooth, and portio...
Learn more about Washboard Ridge

A part of the Gordy’s Johnson Trail Network System, this is a half-sandy, half-dirt, and small loose rock trail that leads to the top of the hillside with many offshoots of steep hills to go down. The sandy portion comes with a few off-camber areas. The sand might be a couple of inches thick. The fi...
Learn more about JH0086

Ridge View is a short outer-rim loop trail within the Gordy’s Johnson Trail Network System, with a quick offshoot of a scenic ridge turnaround point that you are able to drive up onto. This trail features small rolling ups and downs, two steep hill sections, sandy terrain, and loose rock.
Learn more about Ridge View

JH0070 is a specific sandy motorized trail or route marker located within the Johnson (Gordy's) Hill OHV Recreation Area in Socorro, New Mexico. The trail is fairly smooth, with moderately deep sand in areas. It is best to keep your momentum while traversing this trail. This trail can be used in con...
Learn more about JH0077

JH0099 is a part of the Gordy's Trail system. It starts as an easy, mostly Level 2 trail with some unmaintained sections. It becomes steeper and more challenging with ruts, off-camber terrain, and climbs and descents over the mountains. One deep sand climb may require using an alternate route, which...
Learn more about JH0099

A part of the Gordy's trail system, this trail is an additional way of getting from the North to the South end of the trail system. You may get pinstripes as it is narrow at some points. You will find brush, loose rock, some sandboard terrain, and a sandy hill.
Learn more about JH104

East Loop is a part of the Gordy’s Johnson Trail Network System. This is a simple trail, crossing over a canyon to easily get to another portion of the trail system. Expect loose rock and some gradual hills. There are a few eroded spots that have wide enough trails that you will be able to bypass th...
Learn more about East Loop

The Quebradas Backcountry Byway is a National Scenic Byway, starting north of Socorro and zipping through the desert down to Highway 380. Along the way, you will see a variety of desert landscapes, with rainbow-hued stratification visible on the mountains to the east. The start of the route also ser...
Learn more about Quebradas Backcountry Byway

A part of the Gordy’s Johnson Trail Network System, this is the beginning of Arroyo 102 with a sandy, pebble-covered surface and occasional larger rocks along the route. This unmaintained trail is mostly flat and offers scenic desert views. You can use this as a start to cut across from the North an...
Learn more about JH102

A part of the Gordy’s Johnson Trail Network System, this is a scenic trail with some rutted sections, loose rock, and small rock-climbing obstacles. The route includes off-camber areas, dirt sections, and some steep climbs. A gate at the end of the trail requires closure after passing through. This ...
Learn more about Upper Flagstone Road

Lower Arroyo de Los Pinos is an essential trail often used to access the larger trail system in the area. It branches directly off Quebradas Backcountry Byway Road and is located just shortly after the major staging area. This trail is relatively easy but does begin with a somewhat steep descent int...
Learn more about Lower Arroyo de Los Pinos

This is a wide-open sky drive that starts on the northwest side of the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge. It winds around the striking Ladron (Thieves) Mountain. There are a few scattered ranches but most of the area is owned by the federal Bureau of Land Management that borders the Wildlife Refuge. The Lad...
Learn more about Riley CR 12

A part of the Gordy’s Johnson Trail Network System, this is an unmaintained trail that provides direct access to the Jeep Badge of Honor trail, Pucker Falls. The route follows a loose, rocky arroyo with multiple lines to choose from. Expect mostly loose rock with a few minor rock gardens, making it ...
Learn more about Arroyo de los Pinos

Coyote Exit begins just off the Quebradas Backcountry Byway, works its way around the Cerillos de Coyote plateaus, and culminates into a panorama overlook of the surrounding mountain ranges. This includes the Sierra de la Campana, Fra Cristobal, Chupadera, San Mateo, Magdalena, and Sierra Ladrones M...
Learn more about Coyote Exit

A part of the Gordy’s Johnson Trail Network System, this is known as South Boundary Road - JH0017 or Quebradas Hogback Trail. A scenic drive featuring a mix of smooth dirt, loose dirt sections, and occasional larger rocks on climbs. Dispersed camping is allowed in the area, but there are no designat...
Learn more about South Boundary Road - JH0017

This is a spur trail off Riley CR 12. It winds around some small hills and ends at a picturesque windmill, watering tank, and building ruins. The majestic Ladron mountains create the backdrop. Locals target shoot in this area so listen for shooting before venturing onto this trail.
Learn more about Windmill

San Lorenzo Canyon is a series of rock formations and canyons on the southern border of Servilleta Wildlife Refuge. This area features numerous hiking and camping opportunities in a unique landscape not far from Albuquerque. It's a favorite day trip for locals, and you will often find others here hi...
Learn more about San Lorenzo Canyon

This relatively flat, sandy route travels on the east side of the Veranito Wilderness Study Area and the south side of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. There are some erosion issues, especially toward the end of the route. It dead ends at a geological gap curiously named Puertecito of Bowling...
Learn more about Puertecito of Bowling Green

As this route climbs Johnson Hill, it follows the National Historical Trail the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. This translates to The Royal Road of the Interior Land. It was also known as the Silver Route. It is a 1,590-mile road between Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo (Ohkay Owingeh), New Mexico...
Learn more about Johnson Hill View

A very scenic arroyo trail with portions of deep, loose rock throughout, multiple offshoots of trail options, and several rock gardens with a small rock crawl, with a bypass available. The trail includes a sharp rock descent at one point. Trailhead starts at the north staging area, with a gate that ...
Learn more about Arroyo De La Parida

San Lorenzo Canyon is a series of rock formations and canyons on the southern border of Servilleta Wildlife Refuge. This area features numerous hiking and camping opportunities in a unique landscape not far from Albuquerque. It's a favorite day trip for locals, and you will often find others here hi...
Learn more about San Lorenzo Canyon

This relatively flat, sandy route travels on the east side of the Veranito Wilderness Study Area and the south side of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. There are some erosion issues, especially toward the end of the route. It dead ends at a geological gap curiously named Puertecito of Bowling...
Learn more about Puertecito of Bowling Green

As this route climbs Johnson Hill, it follows the National Historical Trail the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. This translates to The Royal Road of the Interior Land. It was also known as the Silver Route. It is a 1,590-mile road between Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo (Ohkay Owingeh), New Mexico...
Learn more about Johnson Hill View

A very scenic arroyo trail with portions of deep, loose rock throughout, multiple offshoots of trail options, and several rock gardens with a small rock crawl, with a bypass available. The trail includes a sharp rock descent at one point. Trailhead starts at the north staging area, with a gate that ...
Learn more about Arroyo De La Parida