Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Vaughn, New Mexico

Windmill Way has a decent variety of terrain along its route. Composed of a combination of soft sand, dirt, and rocks, the trail winds its way to the southwest giving views of the surrounding mountains and a plateau to the north full of wind turbines. There are no obstacles larger than 10 inches alo...
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A wide dirt track through the Gallinas district of Cibola National Forest. This route skirts the base of the Gallinas peak and is primarily used as a quick through road from the south side to the north side of the area. There are minimal washouts or other obstacles on this road, and it could easily ...
Learn more about Cougar Mountain Road

Red cloud trail works its way across the top of the peaks in Gallinas before descending into a forested area. With many dispersed camping opportunities, this is a great area for some more secluded outdoor activities. Multiple excellent views of the surrounding desert are available, especially while ...
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Sandwash is a trail that is exactly as named, beginning as a dirt hard-pack trail that quickly changes to a sandy wash track. As the trail begins to descend, it narrows to single-vehicle-width and changes from dirt to soft sand with one small rock garden hidden in the sand. The trail is easily trave...
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Wandering Wake is a trail that shows minimal signs of use and is very primitive with no signs of maintenance being performed. The surface changes frequently from dirt to sand with some smaller rocky sections scattered through the length of the trail. While there are no large obstacles along the trai...
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Clarion Course is one of the more clear-cut trails in the area and shows more signs of use than many of the others. The trail surface is a combination of dirt, sand, and rocks but does not have any obstacles larger than 10 inches. There are sections with minor rutting and some off-camber turns, howe...
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Arroyo de los Diegos is a primary dirt two-track that makes a partial loop from its connecting points off Valle Grande. The dirt surface shows some significant signs of rutting and erosion, with some areas of rutting being more than 20" or more in-depth, but still easily passable for most high clear...
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Open mesa plains with a web-like network of dirt roads with the occasional rocky obstacle and/or ledge. The general area is wide-open with scenic views of surrounding mesas. If you navigate deep enough into this area a couple nice rocky canyons can be found. Watch out for cattle as this is a commonl...
Learn more about El Cerrito Area of Santa Fe National Forest

This trail ascends a mountain surrounded by the desert to the South-East of Mountainair. When approaching the peak, it will be visible long before you start the trail when approaching from the west. The first part of the trail is driving on light gravel roads before you enter the National Forest. Th...
Learn more about Glorieta Peak

Mostly flat plains with sections of deep erosion causing washouts exceeding 10-12 inches deep. He trail has off-camber areas. Ock faces that are approximately 12 inches tall. Sections of deeply rutted muddy areas with standing water/mud can be 6-10 inches deep--scenic views of the surrounding mounta...
Learn more about Valle Grande

The trail is mostly dirt that runs through cattle pastures. The trail has ruts that can be 6-12 inches deep and can be off-camber. After rainfall, there are chances for multiple muddy sections and standing water. There are some rocky sections with rocks not exceeding over 6 inches. This trail provid...
Learn more about Cattle Run Pass

Cerro Encinoso Loop begins immediately off CR-34 and is an easy dirt two-track for the first mile before making its steeper 19.4% grade climb up to the Cerro Encinoso plateau and continuing on to Hogback Hill. The climb up is over a rocky and lightly rutted uneven surface that most 4WD vehicles will...
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The beginning of the trail starts off with driving on flat grass and mild rocky terrain. It quickly becomes a narrow path that cuts through heavy foliage that can be difficult to navigate with a larger full-width vehicle. There are multiple locations of rutted and off-camber obstacles that can range...
Learn more about Rowe Peak Pass

North Glorieta Pass can be run from its east entrance at the top of Rowe Hill off of CR34 or from its west entrance located off of CR51. The primarily dirt two track is just over one and a half vehicles in width for the majority of its length and doesn't feature any obstacles larger than 10" in size...
Learn more about North Glorieta Pass

This primarily dirt two-track partially loops through the northwest section of the Glorieta Mesa area. It features some deeper ruts and off-camber sections and has the potential to become very slick mud after rain or snow. Most of the trail is wide enough for two vehicles and provides enough room to...
Learn more about West Mesa Loop

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

County Road A19A to Hermits Peak is a scenic, beginner-friendly dirt road that offers stunning canyon views, mountain vistas, and direct access to the Santa Fe National Forest near Las Vegas, New Mexico. It begins at an elevation of 6,729 feet and winds steadily upward alongside a picturesque creek,...
Learn more about County Road A19A to Hermits Peak

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

Elk Standoff is a scenic 29-mile dirt route near Monument Peak, New Mexico, ideal for overlanders seeking high-desert vistas and a glimpse into local history. Winding through the rolling mountain landscape with a technical rating of 2, this well-maintained trail is accessible to most stock high-clea...
Learn more about Elk Standoff

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

Windmill Way has a decent variety of terrain along its route. Composed of a combination of soft sand, dirt, and rocks, the trail winds its way to the southwest giving views of the surrounding mountains and a plateau to the north full of wind turbines. There are no obstacles larger than 10 inches alo...
Learn more about Windmill Way

A wide dirt track through the Gallinas district of Cibola National Forest. This route skirts the base of the Gallinas peak and is primarily used as a quick through road from the south side to the north side of the area. There are minimal washouts or other obstacles on this road, and it could easily ...
Learn more about Cougar Mountain Road

Red cloud trail works its way across the top of the peaks in Gallinas before descending into a forested area. With many dispersed camping opportunities, this is a great area for some more secluded outdoor activities. Multiple excellent views of the surrounding desert are available, especially while ...
Learn more about Red Cloud Trail

Sandwash is a trail that is exactly as named, beginning as a dirt hard-pack trail that quickly changes to a sandy wash track. As the trail begins to descend, it narrows to single-vehicle-width and changes from dirt to soft sand with one small rock garden hidden in the sand. The trail is easily trave...
Learn more about Sandwash

Windmill Way has a decent variety of terrain along its route. Composed of a combination of soft sand, dirt, and rocks, the trail winds its way to the southwest giving views of the surrounding mountains and a plateau to the north full of wind turbines. There are no obstacles larger than 10 inches alo...
Learn more about Windmill Way

A wide dirt track through the Gallinas district of Cibola National Forest. This route skirts the base of the Gallinas peak and is primarily used as a quick through road from the south side to the north side of the area. There are minimal washouts or other obstacles on this road, and it could easily ...
Learn more about Cougar Mountain Road

Red cloud trail works its way across the top of the peaks in Gallinas before descending into a forested area. With many dispersed camping opportunities, this is a great area for some more secluded outdoor activities. Multiple excellent views of the surrounding desert are available, especially while ...
Learn more about Red Cloud Trail

Sandwash is a trail that is exactly as named, beginning as a dirt hard-pack trail that quickly changes to a sandy wash track. As the trail begins to descend, it narrows to single-vehicle-width and changes from dirt to soft sand with one small rock garden hidden in the sand. The trail is easily trave...
Learn more about Sandwash