Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Bluewater Village, New Mexico
Mt. Taylor Peak 4x4 Road
This 4x4 road is a great intro to overlanding, with stunning views and minimal technical obstacles. Starting from Grants, the road climbs almost 5000 feet to within 1/2 mile of Mt. Taylor peak. The road… Learn more about Mt. Taylor Peak 4x4 Road
Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Hole in the Wall at Malpais National Monument
This excellent day trip starts on the western edge of Malpais National Monument, drives by the Big Tubes cave system and then crosses an easy introduction to driving over rock before accessing the "Hole in… Learn more about Hole in the Wall at Malpais National Monument
Total Miles
14.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Backway to Cabezon Peak
This set of well maintained, dirt roads provides access to Cabezon Peak from nearby Pipeline Road. It passes through some typical New Mexican high-desert scenery, with shrubs and cacti on either side of a winding… Learn more about Backway to Cabezon Peak
Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
FS376
FS376 is a 23-mile long trail that weaves through the Jemez National Forest, gaining about 3,200 feet in elevation high above the Rio Guadalupe. This route takes you through the historic Gilman Tunnels, which were… Learn more about FS376
Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Copper Mine
The Copper Mines are located in the Santa Fe National Forest just east of Cuba, New Mexico. The trail begins from Highway 126 and the intersection of Eureka Mesa Road. Off-highway parking is suggested due… Learn more about Copper Mine
Total Miles
18.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Largo Canyon to Crow Canyon
This out and back trail leads to several panels of petroglyphs and a ruin that all require a short walk to view. Simple oilfield dirt roads lead you to the canyon entrance that will take… Learn more about Largo Canyon to Crow Canyon
Total Miles
21.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
San Lorenzo Canyon
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.… Learn more about San Lorenzo Canyon
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Hill Road Pueblito
This is an easy trail off New Mexico Highway 64 to the Hill Road Pueblito, an archeological site constructed in the late 1730s and early 1740s. Hill Road Pueblito sits on a boulder outcrop overlooking… Learn more about Hill Road Pueblito
Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp
Jemez to Espanola
This is a very scenic route around the North side of the Valles Caldera. It goes from the Jemez Mountains over to Espanola and is a great full-day loop with plenty of exploring to be… Learn more about Jemez to Espanola
Total Miles
57.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Forest Loop Road 445
Forest Loop Road 445 leads from NM Highway 165 to the northern base of the Sandia Mountains and back to NM 165. The western side of the loop is more difficult with some washouts, arroyos… Learn more about Forest Loop Road 445
Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
South Baldy Road
This road winds up South Baldy mountain through the Cibola National Forest to the Magdalena Ridge Observatory and Langmuir Laboratory and Atmospheric Research. The road is a well-maintained dirt road for the research facility to… Learn more about South Baldy Road
Total Miles
7.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Resumidero Meadow Camping
This short, easy route takes off from Forest Road 103. It leads to gorgeous, alpine meadows and disbursed, primitive camping at 9000 feet elevation. The camp area is a great staging area to explore the… Learn more about Resumidero Meadow Camping
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
South Canyon Rd.
This is a scenic drive starting at Hwy 60 in the high desert. You go through a gate to enter onto BLM land. At the entrance, there is a sign that states "Primitive road not… Learn more about South Canyon Rd.
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp
Palo Duroso Canyon
Despite appearing on most maps as NM state road 165, Palo Duroso Canyon is an unimproved dirt road from the time it leaves Placitas until until it meets 536 going to Sandia Crest. This road… Learn more about Palo Duroso Canyon
Total Miles
7.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Molino Peak Trail
The Molino Peak Trail is a short, 5.3-mile route that takes you up past an old manganese mine (The Manganese Chief Mine). It winds its way up an old two-track that becomes progressively rockier the… Learn more about Molino Peak Trail
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Coyote Mesa Trail
Coyote Mesa Trail is listed on MUVM maps as FR462. Its starts just south of Tijeras in Chamisos Canyon, and crosses the mesa north of Cedro Peak ending near the Zuzax area. This trail offers… Learn more about Coyote Mesa Trail
Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Cedro Peak Loop via FR 542
Cedro peak is one of the best sets of 4x4 trails near Albuquerque. This route goes up to the peak using the more primitive FR 542 route, and then returns on the wide gravel roads… Learn more about Cedro Peak Loop via FR 542
Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
St. Peters Dome Wilderness Exploration Route
This is one of the more varied trails in New Mexico in terms of scenery and topography. Starting in the Jemez mountains with large pine forests, this trail transitions to mesa prairie, and then dives… Learn more about St. Peters Dome Wilderness Exploration Route
Total Miles
18.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Encino Mountain Trail
This trail takes you up into the Santa Fe National Forest. This is an easy trail for most with AWD or 4WD. Make sure you have gas as this is a vast mountain range where… Learn more about Encino Mountain Trail
Total Miles
14.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Beyond Escudilla
This trail travels behind the Escudilla Mountain, providing beautiful scenery. This is not a difficult road as it appears to be well maintained. This is a good trail to spend a few hours with others… Learn more about Beyond Escudilla
Total Miles
22
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Canyon De Chelly
This park sits entirely on Navajo tribal lands. Beautiful ruins, Indian writings and phenomenal scenery are just a few of the perks you'll experience here. You can take a guide along with you, or use… Learn more about Canyon De Chelly