Gateway to Red Sands

Total Miles 3.2
Technical Rating
3 Easy
Best Time Fall
Trail Type Full-Width Road
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

The Gateway to Red Sands is a shallow, washed-out trail that has been used for years. While the majority of the trail is comparable to a dry riverbed and suitable for any 4WD vehicle, there are areas with obstacles suitable for built off-road rigs with ledges up to three feet tall. The trail runs through a system of dozens of trails that lead you all over the vast desert southwest, popularly known as Red Sands. Be mindful, for some land is private property and is not always marked as such. The trail begins off of the Gas Line Road and simply weaves in and out of various washed-out arroyos. The trail often splits into many different branches, but they all lead in the same direction. There are many rocky obstacles that any high clearance 4x4 will have no issues with. However, some smaller crossover based SUVs may have difficulty or excitement depending on the line taken. The trail ends and dumps into some very soft and red sand, which must be driven carefully if only in 2WD as the possibility of becoming stuck is high. It is recommended to go with at least one 4WD vehicle to assist in recovery. The area can quickly fill with water, so be mindful of the weather reports. Wildlife mainly consists of running birds, jackrabbits, quail and the occasional coyote.

Photos of Gateway to Red Sands

Difficulty

A 2WD can make it with the proper lines, but could get stuck in the soft sand near the exit road.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

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Trey Kirk
May 07, 2026
Open
Good area, multiple trails aside from the main one. Only issue you may have is sand if you don’t know how to maneuver through it. Theirs also a few rock crawling spots along the trail.
Ivan Casas
Jan 25, 2026
Open
Richard Young
Sep 04, 2025
Open
Anthony green
Aug 16, 2025
Open
Juan H
Mar 10, 2025
Open
Sand, loose gravel, large rocks (some hitting under car)
Patrick Brookshier
Mar 02, 2025
Open
It was fun. Got some rocks and sand. Nothing too bad and it has some slightly technical stuff but also has go arounds.
sam stephens
Oct 14, 2023
Open
Rob Blair
Jul 29, 2023
Open
Angelo Brown
Jul 08, 2023
Open
isaiah valdivia
May 06, 2023
Open

Gateway to Red Sands Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • Single Track
  • 50 Inch
  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Gateway to Red Sands Map

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