Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Des Moines, New Mexico
Trinchera Pass
Trinchera Pass is an easy gravel and dirt road that can be traversed in any 4x4 and most 2WD vehicles. It offers scenic views of the north side of the Johnson Mesa/Raton volcanic field and… Learn more about Trinchera Pass
Total Miles
42.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
NE Passage via Cimarron Canyon
This is a very long dirt road route connecting Clayton Lake State Park NM and Trinidad, Colorado. There is a shortcut that will eliminate approximately 20 miles (if you look at the route closely, it's… Learn more about NE Passage via Cimarron Canyon
Total Miles
113.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi
Mills Canyon Trail
This out and back trail traverses you through the Kiowa National Grasslands into the historic Mills Canyon. During good weather conditions any AWD vehicle should be fine for the first nine miles. After that, high… Learn more about Mills Canyon Trail
Total Miles
10.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Cucharas Pass
This is a fun, scenic drive through San Isabel National Forest. The road west of the pass is well maintained, with plenty of room for two-way traffic. East of the pass is rougher in spots,… Learn more about Cucharas Pass
Total Miles
20.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Fan Dike
This is a steep, narrow, out-and-back trail with many switchbacks and areas of loose rock. Some areas have steep drops, and the trail ends abruptly, but there is plenty of room to turn around. You… Learn more about Fan Dike
Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Steep Mountain
This is a short, easy trail with a few dispersed campsites. It is really more of a road than a trail, and could be driven in most cars. Learn more about Steep Mountain
Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Valle Vidal - FR 1950
This route is a beautiful forest road that takes you into the Carson National Forest/Sangre De Christo Mountains. The beginning of the trail immediately kicks off with stunning, towering rock cliffs on either side as… Learn more about Valle Vidal - FR 1950
Total Miles
8.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
La Jara Canyon
This trail is a well-maintained forest road that leads from US 64 to some logging trails along the border of the Taos Pueblo. The road is closed near the logging trails as its condition deteriorates… Learn more about La Jara Canyon
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Greenie East
This trail starts up Marlette Canyon before splitting off from Sawmill Trail. It then splits again from the most direct and well marked route to the peak, dropping back down into a drainage, before climbing… Learn more about Greenie East
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
La Junta Canyon
A well-maintained forest road that is gated as it approaches the Taos Pueblo. It provides access to a woodcutting area as well as logging operations in the national forest. There are appx 4-5 dispersed camping… Learn more about La Junta Canyon
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp
Apache Trail
This trail is an offshoot of Forest Road 70/Osha Pass trail. It leaves the main trail and tracks along the boundary of public and private land for a short while before climbing the mountainside and… Learn more about Apache Trail
Total Miles
3.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp
Osha Pass/70b
This route is the main forest road that provides access to the 70 Moto Trail, which is a width-restricted motorized trail that climbs to Osha Pass. This trail also provides access to the Elliot Barker… Learn more about Osha Pass/70b
Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Old La Veta Pass
This trail is an old train route that connected the East and West sides of the Sangre de Cristo mountains up until the 1960s, when the highway was put in. It is now an unmaintained… Learn more about Old La Veta Pass
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Pioneer Creek
Pioneer Creek Trail leaves from Red River behind the ski resort and then follows the canyon up. There are some large loose rocks towards the end and four water crossings where the trail crosses the… Learn more about Pioneer Creek
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Forest Road 722
This is an in-and-back leading through Carson National Forest. Winding through and cresting at nearly 10,000 feet this is an easy cruise with some awesome scenery. Minimal traffic in the area but there is woodcutting… Learn more about Forest Road 722
Total Miles
6.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Ute Canyon
A nice in-and-back trail on forestry service roads through the Santa Fe National Forest near Ledoux, NM and Morphy Lake State Park. This is a woodcutting area so there can be the occasional traffic, but… Learn more about Ute Canyon