Beginner Off-Road Trails Near San Antonio, New Mexico
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
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
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
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
Glorieta Peak
This trail ascends a mountain surrounded by the desert to the South-East of Mountainair. When approaching the peak, it will be visible long before you start the trail when approaching from the west. The first… Learn more about Glorieta Peak
Total Miles
15.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Wi / Fa
Red Cloud Trail
Red cloud trail works its way across the top of the peaks in Gallinas before descending into a forested area. With many dispersed camping opportunities, this is a great area for some more secluded outdoor… Learn more about Red Cloud Trail
Total Miles
8.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Elk Standoff
The trail is well maintained with a few portions that contain small rock gardens. Towards the end of the trail, there are a number of old, abandoned structures. One appears to have been an old… Learn more about Elk Standoff
Total Miles
25.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Cougar Mountain Road
A wide dirt track through the Gallinas district of Cibola National Forest. This route skirts the base of the Gallinas peak and is primarily used as a quick through road from the south side to… Learn more about Cougar Mountain Road
Total Miles
8.8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp / 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
Cottonwood Flat
This trail is a through trail beginning at Virden Road off Hwy 70 N, 15 min past Tularosa, and ending on La Luz Canyon Road. Elevation ranges from 5,900 to 7,825, and in winter months… Learn more about Cottonwood Flat
Total Miles
11.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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
Granger
Dispersed camping with a beautiful view of the Sacramento Mountains. There are three trails that disperse out. Easy terrain for beginners riders. The trail is mainly dirt and loose rock, with a few rutted-out places.… Learn more about Granger
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Laborcita Canyon
Laborcita Canyon Road is located in Lincoln National Forest, just Northeast of La Luz, NM. This trail runs North-South through the National Forest. The trail starts on pavement then turns to dirt about a mile… Learn more about Laborcita Canyon
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
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
La Luz
This trail starts in High Rolls off of Old Firehouse Road. Pass the houses and it becomes a dirt, rock and gravel winding road. There are a few hiking trails along the way as you… Learn more about La Luz
Total Miles
8.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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
Hale Lake Trail
The trail is well maintained and easily accessible by most vehicles, however, 2WD passenger vehicles may find some of the rocky areas difficult. The road is primarily dirt and gravel mixed with some rock gardens… Learn more about Hale Lake Trail
Total Miles
14.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Bailey Canyon
This trail is a short three-mile switchback road that goes from Hwy 82 to the center of La luz trail. The views are very decent and there are a handful of decent campsites along the… Learn more about Bailey Canyon
Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Lookout Point
This is a fairly easy run through the eastern middle Dona Anas to a nice overlook. The Starting point for this run is east of the South mountain bike parking lot and leads to the… Learn more about Lookout Point
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Five Mile Pass
Five Mile Pass is an unmaintained trail that tracks one of several valleys in the area with some changes in elevation and great views. The road is primarily dirt and rock, with some rock gardens… Learn more about Five Mile Pass
Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Burleson Ridge
This spur runs off of Westside Road for three miles and ends at a locked gate, but there is a decent campsite on the right and ATV trails to the left. The end has a… Learn more about Burleson Ridge
Total Miles
36.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
FR623
This is the Lincoln National Forest Road 623 from the Sunspot highway to the Chippaway Trailhead. It is rough in places, with plenty of sharp rocks, and there is a large water crossing that can… Learn more about FR623
Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
2
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Westside Road - Mule Peak to Joplin Ridge
This trail is easily traversed in all types of vehicles, but low-clearance vehicles may have a hard time due to loose rocks, dirt ruts and larger rocks that protrude from the surface. The width of… Learn more about Westside Road - Mule Peak to Joplin Ridge
Total Miles
3.7
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
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
Westside Road
This is a great beginner trail full of hiking, camping and hunting opportunities. The trail is about 28 miles with moderate traffic. There are a plethora of spurs that lead to ATV trails, other trails… Learn more about Westside Road
Total Miles
10.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Three Mile Canyon Road
Three Mile Canyon Road is a Forest Service road located in the Sacramento Mountain range and Lincoln National Forest. The trail winds into the canyon and then back out to lead the traveler to Carr… Learn more about Three Mile Canyon Road
Total Miles
9.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Timberon Overland Express
The Timberon Overland Express is a great way to get a taste of overlanding without much preparation. The route can be run in either direction, as the entire trip is on county roads which cross… Learn more about Timberon Overland Express