Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Lake Valley, New Mexico
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
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
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
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
Total Miles
7.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Railroad Grade
Lots of camping before this road, and some camping at the end of the road, with cows, hope you like a good morning moo and cow pies! Lots of mud when wet, and water crossing,… Learn more about Railroad Grade
Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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
Junction Creek
Amazing views, camp spots, hikes. It's a very easy road, with some uphill climbs, but a 2WD can do it in good weather conditions. The road can be muddy when wet.Dirt or rocky road with… Learn more about Junction Creek
Total Miles
19
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa
Helmet Peak
Very tight road, not recommended for a wide wheelbase or tall vehicle, beautiful views, very rocky, muddy when wet. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossings… Learn more about Helmet Peak
Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa
Chicken Creek Road
Rocky road in some spots, nothing to difficult though, easily done with a high clearance rig, muddy when wet. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossings… Learn more about Chicken Creek Road
Total Miles
8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Millwood Road
This road runs along private property, so please keep in mind and be respectful; when wet, this road becomes a crazy muddy mess; you will find huge mud tracks and potholes that will hurt if… Learn more about Millwood Road
Total Miles
10.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Ditches Road
Lots and lots of camping, big area for RVs and large groups. Water crossing halfway through the trail, lots of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. It can be muddy when wet.Dirt or rocky road,… Learn more about Ditches Road
Total Miles
2.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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
Devil Mountain-Fr Rd 626
Camping, Jeeping and Hunting on Devil Mountain-Fr Rd 626 There is some space when you first turn onto the trail from Hwy 160 to air up or down. After that area the Devil Mountain trail… Learn more about Devil Mountain-Fr Rd 626
Total Miles
10.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Spring Creek Road
This is a short drive in a residential area, but if you're looking for beautiful aspen trees, I recommend checking this road out. The road does get muddy when wet. There are a few hiking,… Learn more about Spring Creek Road
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Spring Cr Pt Road
Can be muddy when wet. The road offers a decent view at the end overlooking a valley. There is a gate, so please close it behind you! If you like cows, you'll have plenty of… Learn more about Spring Cr Pt Road
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
Hillside Drive
Hillside Drive, , Forest Road 436 is an easy and delightful drive up a hillside in the San Juan Forest. You cross the Dolores River to start, then head upwards with Burnette Canyon on your… Learn more about Hillside Drive
Total Miles
15.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Beaver Rim Road
Fun little road that has some rutted areas with mud possible when wet. Can get tight in spots, has some camping, and offers a cool view at the end. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained… Learn more about Beaver Rim Road
Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Upper House Creek Road
This trail is very muddy in spots and has small water puddles. It offers lots of camping with hiking and biking trails. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter… Learn more about Upper House Creek Road
Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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
Boggy Draw Road
This trail has camping spots and offers biking, hiking, and riding trails with beautiful views. The road can be muddy when wet and has ruts in some places. Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades.… Learn more about Boggy Draw Road
Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa
Beaver Rim F Road
This road can be very dusty when dry and muddy when wet. Beautiful view at the end with a small camp spot for one or two people. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain… Learn more about Beaver Rim F Road
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa
Trail Canyon
This road offers some beautiful views and some camp spots. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. Can be muddy when wet. You may encounter shallow water crossings and obstacles under 12"… Learn more about Trail Canyon
Total Miles
9.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa
Eight Mile Mesa E-USFS Rd #651E
Eight Mile Mesa E (#651E) forks right with Eight Mile Mesa D (#651D) forking to the left at the end of the main Eight Mile Mesa Road, approximately 6.5 miles from the highway turnoff. This… Learn more about Eight Mile Mesa E-USFS Rd #651E
Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Eight Mile Mesa D-USFS Rd #651D
Eight Mile Mesa D (#651D) forks left with Eight Mile Mesa E (#651E) forking to the right at the end of the main Eight Mile Mesa road, approximately 6.5 miles from the highway turnoff. This… Learn more about Eight Mile Mesa D-USFS Rd #651D
Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Piedra Road-Fr Rd 631
Piedra road will lead you north out of Pagosa Springs past the airport and a few neighborhoods. It eventually turns into a forest service road with two large parking areas and trailheads at the beginning.… Learn more about Piedra Road-Fr Rd 631
Total Miles
34.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Eight Mile Mesa C-USFS Rd #651C
Eight Mile Mesa C (#651C) forks left off the main road about 5 miles from the beginning of the USFS road. It's about 4.5 miles to the end where there were a few disturbed primitive… Learn more about Eight Mile Mesa C-USFS Rd #651C