16 Best New Mexico ATV Trails and Parks

New Mexico is known for its unique landscape and natural wonders. From rock formations to flat deserts, there’s no better place for your next ATV adventure. Where are some of the best places to go?

There’s no shortage of places to off-road in New Mexico with large deserts, rugged mesas, steep slopes, and even forests and rivers. If you’re unsure where to go, visit Haystack Mountain OHVA. It is an excellent place for all skill levels. There are also plenty of trails to explore.

Our top 16 ATV trails in New Mexico are as follows:

1. Aden Hill OHV Area
2. Benson Ridge
3. Burro Mountain Homestead
4. Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area
5. Gallup OHV Park
6. Glade Run Recreation Area
7. Goose Creek Trail
8. Greenie Peak OHV Loop
9. Hackberry Lake OHV Area
10. Haystack Mountain OHV Area
11. Heaven Motorsports Park
12. Hubbell Canyon
13. Johnson’s Hill OHV Area
14. Mescalero Sands
15. Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail
16. Red River OHV Area

You can’t go wrong picking New Mexico for your next ATV trip. There are miles of trails and fantastic locations to hone your skills. If you’re a beginner, you can find terrain the suits your level. We list some of the best New Mexico off road trails to get your started.

16 Best New Mexico ATV Trails

1. Aden Hill OHV Area

The OHV area of Aden Hill is 20 miles away from the city of Las Cruces. The desert there is an irresistible terrain for ATV riders. It’s not too busy, which means more privacy as you maximize the capabilities of your vehicle.

And the best part? Exploring all of the area’s trails may take weeks, perfect for holidays and vacations.

2. Benson Ridge

Benson Ridge is 2.3 miles within the Lincoln National Forest. It’s for intermediate ATV riders, and the vehicle should not exceed 50 inches wide, since motorcycles, mountain bikes, and horses primarily use the trail.

3. Burro Mountain Homestead

Burro Mountain Homestead is designed for ATVs and UTVs. It offers a fun off-roading experience, different activities, and delicious meals along the way.

Despite the number of activities there, it can be quiet at times. That’s because Burro Mountain itself is in a very remote area. You might also have a hard time enduring the harsh climate.

4. Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area

Dunes Recreation Area is an 800-acre public property free for OHV riders. It’s 1.5 miles away from the city of Farmington and offers gorgeous views. It’s been used by off-roaders for more than 40 years already and has some challenging areas, so be prepared.

Unfortunately, garbage is everywhere in some sections, including broken glass that might hit your tires. If you want to spend the night camping, you should choose a more secluded spot because of the never-ending road noise.

5. Gallup OHV Park

Gallup Park is a 300-acre public location with a track spanning 1.2 miles and ATV trails that are 10 miles long in total. However, it’s usually referred to as the Red Rock Motorsports Club because it has maintained the place for years.

Just remember that the club’s members can only use the track. So, if you intend to spend zero money, focus on ATV riding.

6. Glade Run Recreation Area

If you have a chance to visit the Chokecherry Canon, head to the Glade. This recreation area near Farmington offers vast public land spanning 19,000 acres. It’s full of sand, rocks, hills, and mountain trails, perfect for horseback riding, jeeps, mountain bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs.

Sadly, because of the massive landscape, some areas aren’t maintained properly. You might come across some graffiti and garbage.

7. Goose Creek Trail

We’ve already mentioned two national forests in New Mexico. Another is the Carson National Forest, which has Trail 65, also called Goose Creek.

This trail is suitable for all seasons. During summer, you can go hiking, explore while riding a horse, or have a blast on your ATV.

As snow covers the landscape, you can enjoy a bunch of winter activities.

8. Greenie Peak OHV Loop

Also called the Midnight Meadows Trail, Greenie Peak is also found in the Carson National Forest. It’s best known for winter activities but can be an excellent summer destination as well. It makes motorcycle, biking, horseback, and ATV riding in New Mexico much more exciting during warmer months.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, some areas aren’t very challenging, mostly just bumpy.

9. Hackberry Lake OHV Area

Much bigger than the Glade Run, Hackberry Lake is a 55,000-acre area. You can either enjoy the sand dunes or the 90-mile trail that’s both sandy and rocky.

10. Haystack Mountain OHV Area

The recreation area of Haystack Mountain is a decent place for big recreational vehicles (RVs). As a plus, it has special sections for OHVs or ATVs and motorcycles.

Overall, this place is rugged, with spots overlooking beautiful views of the Pecos River. Its trails span a total of 1,920 acres, and they’re all suitable for both beginners and advanced riders because they can either be sandy or rocky. There are even hills and gullies.

If you’re also thinking of bringing your mountain bike, the loose sand in the area will make it hard for you to have a smoother ride. And, despite the fees or charges you have to pay, the location doesn’t offer various activities.

11. Heaven Motorsports Park

Even though the main track of Heaven Motorsports Park isn’t for ATVs, the 10-acre trail system within the location is. The peewee track is also open for smaller ATVs.

The 1.1-mile track is worth trying, though. It’s exciting with its multiple turns and unpredictable slopes.

12. Hubbell Canyon

Also referred to as Trail 9277 in the Lincoln National Forest, the Hubbell Canyon’s OHV area has a length of 3.1 miles. It starts from the endpoint of the Wills Canyon up to Forest Road 64.

This trail can only allow ATVs narrower than 50 inches. That’s because it’s originally for hikers and riders on horseback, motorcycles, or mountain bikes.

13. Johnson’s Hill OHV Area

The OHV area of Gordy’s Hill or Johnson’s Hill is quite large since it spans 6,000 acres. It’s an exciting location for ATV and dirt bike riders because it overlooks the town of Bosque and the Rio Grande Valley.

You should know that the sandy areas there might be deeper than you’re used to. So, make sure you’re ready for a challenge.

14. Mescalero Sands

Mescalero Sands offers 610 acres of desert paradise with tall dunes. It’s a perfect place to ride your ATV, sand rail, or dune buggy. Enjoy the sandy terrain and thriving cottonwood trees as you traverse through the beautiful sands.

If you want to stay the night, RV camping is allowed in the north, south, and middle parking lots. There are also facilities to accommodate your stay, such as picnic tables, grills, and restrooms.

15. Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail

The Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail, also known as T5002 in the Lincoln National Forest, is 2.6 miles. It allows OHVs, horses, mountain bikes, motorcycles, and hikers.

But, just like most trails in New Mexico’s national forests, it can only accommodate smaller ATVs. The vehicle’s width shouldn’t exceed 50 inches.

16. Red River OHV Area

Red River offers miles of challenging trails for ATV riding. It’s a lightly trafficked area with plenty of beautiful wildlife and scenery to enjoy. If you don’t have an ATV, there are rental companies available with tours.

Remember to tread lightly to protect the land’s natural resources. Learn more about Red River New Mexico ATV trails here. You can discover more about the place’s history and even local horror stories as you visit the mines and cabins.

Conclusion – 16 Best New Mexico ATV Trails

To summarize, here are the top 16 ATV trails in New Mexico:

1. Aden Hill OHV Area
2. Benson Ridge
3. Burro Mountain Homestead
4. Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area
5. Gallup OHV Park
6. Glade Run Recreation Area
7. Goose Creek Trail
8. Greenie Peak OHV Loop
9. Hackberry Lake OHV Area
10. Haystack Mountain OHV Area
11. Heaven Motorsports Park
12. Hubbell Canyon
13. Johnson’s Hill OHV Area
14. Mescalero Sands
15. Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail
16. Red River OHV Area

When searching for your next New Mexico ATV trail to visit, make sure to research beforehand and check the park’s website. They should provide information on terrain, conditions, permits, and more. Also, get yourself an off road New Mexico map and make sure your vehicle is ready. 

ATV riding in New Mexico is a blast. There is so much to explore and terrain to ride. Hopefully, this list narrowed down your choice of which trail you want to adventure first.