New Mexico is known for its gorgeous weather and stunning landscape. From desert terrain to forested mountains, there’s no shortage of places to explore. So, where are the best New Mexico off road trails?
New Mexico has lots of places to off-road. Head to Red Sands OHV Area, a fun place to ride a dirt bike, ATV/UTV, Jeep, or truck. Camping is free, so bring the family for a fun-filled weekend. There’s also Red River, a fantastic place with 4×4 scenic tours.
Our 18 best New Mexico Off Road Trails are as follows:
- Red Sands OHV Area (BLM)
- Gonzo Trail
- Red River Offroad
- Quebradas Back Country OHV
- The Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area
- Hackberry Lake Dunes Complex
- Mescalero Sands North Dune
- Haystack Mountain OHV-BLM
- Glade Run Recreation Area-BLM
- Buckman MX Track
- Santa Fe National Forest
- Gallup Off-Highway Vehicle Park
- Caja del Rio Plateau
- Cedro Peak OHV Trail
- Aden Hills
- Cinder Road River Trail
- Big Burro Mountains
- Clovis MX Track
There are many great things about New Mexico, and one of them includes its miles of trails and open areas for off-road adventurers. You can’t go wrong picking the Land of Enchantment for your next adventure. Here are our top New Mexico OHV trails in detail.
18 Best New Mexico Off Road Trails
1. Red Sands OHV Area (BLM)
For an exciting off-roading adventure, you’ll need a magnificent place to ride your off-highway vehicle. The Red Sands OHV area offers plenty of hard-packed 4×4 trails and a wide-open track for offroading. You can’t go wrong with this New Mexico off-road trail, with its mesquite coppice dunes ranging in over 100 miles of trails.
The human-made trails are used for organized motorcycle races, although other users are welcome to experience them. They are easy to navigate, and the area is also suitable for camping with its wide-open spaces between dunes.
2. Gonzo Trail
The Gonzo trail is a breathtaking sight! The locals consider the route as one of New Mexico’s best-hidden secrets, offering adventurers exciting paths and walking trails. Enjoy that unique family vacation at Gonzo trail, where you can have fun biking, riding, and hiking.
3. Red River Offroad
If you are looking for a stimulating off-road experience in New Mexico, head over to Red River New Mexico OHV trails. Don’t worry if you are new to offroading; you can still experience the ultimate Red River off-road adventure with the trail’s guided off-road Jeep tours. Why limit your summer fun time when you can enjoy New Mexico’s scenic beauty with a guided drive through New Mexico Jeep trails.
4. Quebradas Back Country OHV
The Quebradas Back Country OHV trail is suitable for anyone who wants to become a more confident off-road driver. You can start from the main part of the path, which is relatively easy with its well-maintained gravel road and beautiful sceneries. For expert OHV drivers, you can take the side trails for a more exciting and fun ride in steep loose dirt and plenty of sand climbs and rocky obstacles along the way!
It’s a good one for adventurers looking to consequences new trails. Other than the miles of a fun ride and challenging terrain, the place is excellent for sightseeing and camping. There is a nice mix of views that makes the trail simply amazing.
5. The Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area
If you’re looking for some fun New Mexico ATV trails, the Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area offers over 800 acres for off-road adventurers. Its terrain includes large sand dunes and steep to gentle hills for OHV, ATV, and UTV riding. The nearly 40 years of regular off-road use have helped shape the trail’s numerous roads and trails.
With its diverse landscape, visitors can engage in different motorized activities to test and challenge their driving skills.
6. Hackberry Lake Dunes Complex
Off-road enthusiasts looking for trails with various topographic features should visit the Hackberry Lake Off-highway. With over 55,000 acres of ground, this New Mexico off-road trail is suitable for off-highway vehicles from motorcycles, sand dune buggies, and other types of OHVs.
Located in Southeast New Mexico, Hackberry Lake Dunes Complex is open all-year-round. There are no fees for campers and riders, who are welcome to use the parking area and the campground. Still, each vehicle is required to have a New Mexico OHV sticker.
7. Mescalero Sands North Dune
Experienced OHV enthusiasts are always looking for challenging trails, which they can find at Mescalero Sands North Dune. The trail offers more than 600 acres of high sand dunes in a field that stretches throughout the area.
The trail is best for OHV, motorcycle riding, and camping. Camping is allowed in most parts of the parking lots and areas near the dunes. Note, however, that areas near the dunes are accessible only by all-terrain vehicles.
8. Haystack Mountain OHV-BLM
The Haystack Mountain OHV is an off-road vehicle trail for the whole family. Located 22 miles northeast of Roswell, Haystack Mountain offers over 1900 acres of trails for both novices and experts. While the terrain is extremely rugged, with deep gullies and challenging hill climbs, it also features terrains that fit a beginner’s skill level.
The parking lots are spacious enough for loading and unloading and staging for large events. It’s a great spot to stay with its serene environment and excellent facilities. The trails have single tracks for mountain biking, and visitors will surely enjoy camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
9. Glade Run Recreation Area-BLM
The Glad Run Recreation area is a perfect weekend getaway for the whole family. The place has over 19000 acres of sandy arroyos, rolling terrain, and slick rock. These features provide fun for OHV enthusiasts, especially for looking for a rock crawling experience.
In this recreation area, OHV riders get a chance to ride over challenging terrains, including boulders, mountain trails, slick rock, and rock piles. The challenge is to drive across harsh terrains and obstacles that would seem impassable to the average individual.
10. Buckman MX Track
The Buckman MX Track is a motocross track initially developed in the latter part of the 1960s. It was recently rebuilt with local volunteers’ help and now charms visitors with its natural 55-acre terrain tracks.
11. Santa Fe National Forest
The Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico is another perfect getaway for the whole family. It offers hiking opportunities, where visitors can enjoy its plentiful life zones in the forest. Hikers can explore the area, and they can expect to share the place with equestrians and mountain bikers.
12. Gallup Off-Highway Vehicle Park
After years of hard work, the Gallup Off-highway Vehicle Park finally opened in November 2010. The park is one of the prominent features of Gallup, New Mexico, and offers 300 acres of land for your OHV adventures. Included in its facility is a 1.2 mile of long motocross track and 10 miles for ATV driving.
It is currently free to ride the trails and camp at the site. The OHV portion is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Gallup Off-Highway Park is under Red Rock Motorsports Club’s care, a local club that promotes events in the area.
13. Caja del Rio Plateau
Have a good, dusty fun at Caja del Rio Plateau, located in a lower and drier part of Santa Fe National Forest. It’s a lesser traveled trail, but Caja del Rio Plateau showcases the natural beauty of New Mexico, making it a perfect place to create memories.
14. Cedro Peak OHV Trail
Cedro Peak is an excellent and fun trail. Anyone who wants to experience a rough but fun ride can go for this 80-mile trail at Cibola National Forest. Currently, the course has eight trailheads that lead to smooth to hard-packed and rocky tracks. It’s an excellent trail for those who are starting out, though it is also highly recommended for adventurers who want a more rugged trail.
The trail is extremely rocky, and most would consider it unpassable unless you are driving a four-wheel drive. It’s excellent for beginners who are wanting to get their feet wet in off-roading.
15. Aden Hills
If you’re looking for the best off-highway trail in New Mexico for your OHV rides, check out Aden Hills OHV trail. In 1993, this 8700 acres of Chihuahuan Desert scrub environment was for off-road and cross-country travels. Currently, the Aden Hills is used twice a year for an organized motorcycle race.
It is free to ride in the area, and camping is permitted. This OHV trail is just about 20 miles Southwest of Las Cruces. It helps to come prepared as the facilities are limited to a few shade structures and pathways for all-terrain vehicles.
16. Cinder Road River Trail
The Cinder Road River Trail is suitable for beginners to expert ATV riders. It’s a natural multipurpose trail that sits on the east bank of Gallinas Creek in Las Vegas, NM. It’s the only trail in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and its 2.8-mile path is open for everyone looking for an easy track.
17. Big Burro Mountains
The Big Burro Mountains is part of New Mexico’s protected National forest. It offers miles of highly scenic views and trails ranging from easy to difficult. It’s one of the best for ATVs, with plenty of trails to explore. Adventurers describe it as a gem of a place. Visitors who just cannot get enough of the place plan to return as frequently as possible.
18. Clovis MX Track
Clovis MX track is a natural terrain that offers the best elevation for your motorcycling and ATV driving. It is perfect for riding, with its long and fast track for an enjoyable adventure.
Conclusion – 18 Best New Mexico Off Road Trails
- Red Sands OHV Area (BLM)
- Gonzo Trail
- Red River Offroad
- Quebradas Back Country OHV
- The Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area
- Hackberry Lake Dunes Complex
- Mescalero Sands North Dune
- Haystack Mountain OHV-BLM
- Glade Run Recreation Area-BLM
- Buckman MX Track
- Santa Fe National Forest
- Gallup Off-Highway Vehicle Park
- Caja del Rio Plateau
- Cedro Peak OHV Trail
- Aden Hills
- Cinder Road River Trail
- Big Burro Mountains
- Clovis MX Track
New Mexico offers various terrain and landscape for your outdoor activities. The Land of Enchantment has something for everyone, from tall mountains, wild vegetation, and expansive deserts. For many years, the state of New Mexico has been a haven for off-roading enthusiasts who enjoy the state’s diverse trails.
Whatever your off-road vehicle is, New Mexico trails are waiting for anyone who has a thirst for adventure!
Kris is an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast who loves to brave the elements and take on challenging terrain. He also enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others so that they, too, can appreciate the ride.
About Kris