Dirt Bike Trails New Mexico

Dirt Bike Trails New Mexico There are a ton of fantastic spots to ride dirt motorcycles all around New Mexico, and many of them are close to Albuquerque and Las Cruces. Many of these sites are either free or inexpensive. It’s better to gather your riding companions and plan an exciting weekend filled with thrills and spills since several of these riding places even allow overnight camping.

New Mexico’s Top Dirt Bike Trails

1.) The OHV area in Aden Hills
You won’t likely travel the same path twice in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as there are nearly 9,000 acres of terrain to discover. You should generally avoid the summer nights because the terrain is largely made up of sand riding through the brush, and there are seldom any trees or bodies of water. The camping here is available all year long.

2.) Cedro Peak
You may find several trail networks in the 80-mile-long Cibola National Forest that are either rock yards or a little soft, plus everything in between. In contrast to New Mexico’s customary sandy trails, you’ll find pine woods, which is a wonderful difference. Both Oak Flat and Cedro Group Campgrounds provide camping.

3.) The canyons of Wills and Hubbell
The train tracks that dominated this area in the early 20th century gave this place its name. Today, it consists of amazing dirt bike riding courses that mix single and double tracks. This area, which has a view of the Sacramento Mountains, is also known as Willie White Trails.

4.) Trail of the Old Cloudcroft Highway
We believe Cloudcroft provides the finest ride for loose rocky outcrop locations. There are challenging parts for more experienced riders as well as areas for beginners to ride their dirt bikes. There are some campgrounds, and the Toboggan Canyon Trail connects with Old Cloudcroft.

5.) OHV Area at Farmington Dunes
Farmington isn’t a particularly large region, but the sand dune hikes more than make up for it. Despite the fact that it can get fairly hot in the summer, this location is popular and open all year. This location is also known as Head Canyon OHV Area and Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area.

6.) Rim Trail (New Mexico)
Rim Trail is a pleasant forest route that offers mountain vistas for around 30 km. Through the summer and into the late fall, we advise cycling. You may dump the trailer at the Apple Tree Staging Area, and there are several campgrounds nearby.

7.) Mescalero Sand Dunes (aka Roswell)
At Mescalero, you’ll have the impression that you’re in the Sahara. The greatest riders for the sand dunes are those with experience because they are difficult. You’ll discover that this location is ideal for exploring, with more than 600 acres to explore and tons of free campsites. Just keep in mind that there aren’t any aliens, so stop hunting for them.

8.) Glade Run Sports Complex
Chokecherry Canyon contains Glade Run, and Brown Springs Campground offers overnight camping. You’ll want to go camping here with several friends because there are so many miles to explore all year long. If you don’t feel like dragging the trailer inside, dual-sport and adventure riders often frequent this location.

9.) OHV Area at Hackberry Lake
You’ll adore Hackberry Lake, which offers more than 100 miles of trails through flat terrain and the desert. This is a single flat track with some exploring 44 trails tossed in. This location is for you if you enjoy seeing the top of your gearbox and triple-digit speed records. Soft sand and rocky pathways mingled together.

10.) Montessa OHV Park
For the purely open landscape, Montessa is worth the trip. As there isn’t much to smash into, we advise bringing beginners who are learning to ride here. You won’t be able to stay here because this area is only for daytime usage, but you’ll be very worn out and ready to go home soon enough.

Optimal Dirt Bike Trails In New Mexico

ROSWELL, New Mexico’s HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN OHV AREA
If you take the time to look, you can see the Pecos River while riding through many of these deserts’ single-track trails. You must traverse three square miles of largely hard-packed terrain that includes some hills, sand washes, and loose, rocky areas. Since there are no trees along the route, drink plenty of water. Although there is camping available, there is no potable water. All year long, open. An OHV permit is necessary, and there is a $3 entrance fee. All minors must wear helmets.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico’s ADEN HILLS OHV AREA
The 8,700-acre off-road park west of town has 14 square miles of trails that wind through the desert scrub bush. These roads have the potential to produce some significant air. The 50 routes have a lot of thrilling terrain elements and are quick and sandy. Although it is free to ride here, an OHV permit is necessary. All year long, open. For those who are under 18, helmets are necessary. There is the option of rustic camping.

Little Acoma Trail in Cloudcroft, New Mexico
For those who enjoy riding both on and off-road on their motorcycles, this tiny trail system is fantastic. This area of the magnificent Lincoln National Forest has three miles of single-track trails. The Silver Overflow Campground serves as both the starting point and the finish line of the trail loop. There are simply campsite costs, no entrance fees, and an OHV permit is necessary. All year long, open. Anybody under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

The Gordy Hill OHV Area in Socorro, New Mexico
One of the state’s most exhilarating locations for a dirt bike trip is Gordy’s Hill. This picturesque location, which spans 6,000 acres, has a view of the Rio Grande Valley. What’s best? It can be applied by people of all ability levels. No matter how experienced you are, you may still enjoy scenic routes with perfect canyons and limestone cliffs on paths that can present a small challenge.

Red Sands AREA FOR OHV, ALAMOGORDO, NM
You can ride at full power on 20 square miles of open terrain. The terrain is mainly sandy and flat, with a few hard packs scattered about. Since a bombing range and some private property surround the region, you will eventually come across some guarded boundaries, but there is so much open space that your enthusiasm will be unabated. The use of safety flags is advised. There are no costs. However, an OHV permit is needed. Year-round opening with extremely basic camping. Underage users must use helmets.

Fresh Trail System

In addition to its impressive mountains, vast caverns, white sand deserts, and vibrant hot air balloon festivals, New Mexico now boasts a special network of motorcycle-only trails. Yes, a playground solely for us. Furthermore, it was developed with adventure bikes in mind. This piece of paradise, called Elephant Rock Motorcycle Trail Network after a prominent rock formation, may be found in northern New Mexico’s Carson National Forest, in the southern Rocky Mountains, close to Questa and Red River, along The Enchanted Circle, a renowned scenic highway loop. What led to this apparent two-wheel retreat, then? The Albuquerque Journal claims that it all started with a maze of partially degraded mining roads from the 1960s that nobody understood what to do with. Although when he had previously studied the area, off-highway advocate and co-creator of the New Mexico Backcountry Discovery Route (NMBDR) Roger Pattison had discovered the area’s decaying roads to be practically impassable, he had long believed the area was ready for a motorcycle trail project. Officials from the Questa/Red River Ranger Districts of the Carson National Forest were eventually requested to assess the road system to decide which roads could safely be maintained and which should be removed as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. One of these representatives agreed wholeheartedly with Pattison’s judgment that the region would be ideal for a network of motorcycle-friendly paths, and as a result, the Enchanted Circle Off-Highway (ECO) organization was established.

What Does Elephant Rock Have in Store for Riders?
First, four motorcycle-sized access points are there to prevent larger 4-wheel vehicles from entering the area. One of the portions designed for adventure travelers coming by for some fun is a 10.5-mile main loop that is meant for bikes weighing between 500 and 700 pounds. According to Pattison, a mini-excavator was used to construct this lengthy loop, making it a broader trail than previous options. The primary route is still regarded as intermediate, even if it doesn’t have many significant challenges.

New Mexico Trails, Dirt Bikes, And Fatherly Love

When Max was five years old, he started watching SuperCross on CBS every Sunday morning with his dad, Big Max and developed a passion for motocross and dirt bikes. Max would always be informed whenever motocross racers competed in the X-Games by his grandfather. Max enjoyed watching the professionals ride their highly specialized dirt bikes while lounging on the couch with a bowl of cereal in hand. You could say that riding dirt bikes runs in his family. When they were young, Big Max and his brothers loved riding dirt bikes as well. Unfortunately, Big Max’s bike and his brothers’ bikes were thrown out since no one anticipated that little Max and his cousins would grow to love the sport. I recall removing the bikes from my grandma’s home and transporting them to the landfill. Max says We all would have loved to fix those bikes. Max and his cousins still have a passion for fixing bikes, even though they don’t have their dad’s or uncle’s dirt bikes. If Max and his father didn’t know how to do something, they would learn it together, from clutch plates to carburetors. I learned how to mend dirt bikes from my father, Max explains with a smile. My father would always claim that his father taught him that there is always a way, and no matter how challenging the project was, we always found a way. Together, they disassembled and reassembled both their own bikes and damaged bikes they had found on Craigslist. In total, they worked on Max’s 2004 Honda XR 70, 2006 Yamaha TTR 125, 1990 Yamaha RT 180, and 2009 Honda CRF250X motorcycles. Max has worked extensively on his 2012 Kawasaki KX 450F motorcycle with a lot of assistance from his father. Not only were the motorcycles important to Max, but he also wanted to spend time with his father. The nicest part was riding, playing tag on the bikes, and racing through the desert. Max always makes sure to look for locations designated for riding since he is concerned about preserving the environment and our natural areas.

Riding Locations

The closest off-highway vehicle (OHV) parks for Mesilla Valley riders are Red Sands in El Paso and Aden Hills OHV & RV Area in Las Cruces. Max used to ride at Red Sands when he was younger. It is an excellent area for intermediate to experienced riders to practice on soft sand and twisting routes because it has about 14,000 acres of undulating dunes in a desert environment. This is the only location on our list with on-site rental ATVs. Since 2012, Rent a UTV Off-Road Adventures has been in operation. Jamil Moutran, the business’s owner, has also assembled a volunteer rescue crew to keep visitors safe while they are in the sand dunes. The 1993-founded Aden Hills OHV & RV Area in Las Cruces is the perfect place for beginners and young riders. A sizable patch of compacted soil sits right at the entrance, making it much easier for kids to navigate than the later rough and sandy trails. There is a tiny, covered area that offers summer shade and monsoon season protection from the rain. It’s a wonderful location to camp or even have a barbecue because of the stunning views in every direction. Camping and riding are both gratis.

Off-Road In Dirt Bike Trails New Mexico

1.) Red Sands OHV Area (BLM)

You’ll need a stunning location to drive your off-highway vehicle if you want to go on an exhilarating off-roading journey. Numerous 44 trails that are well-maintained and have plenty of room to maneuver are available at the Red Sands OHV region. With its almost 100 miles of mesquite coppice dunes pathways, this New Mexico off-road trail is a sure bet. Although other people are invited to utilize them, the man-made trails are used for scheduled motorcycle races. Due to the area’s wide-open expanses between the sand dunes and ease of navigation, camping is permitted there as well.

2.) Gonzo Trail

It’s magnificent to see the Gonzo path! The road is regarded by locals as one of New Mexico’s best-kept secrets since it provides travelers with adventurous pathways and walking trails. Enjoy your special family getaway at Gonzo Trail, where you may go bicycling, horseback riding, or hiking.

3.) Red River Off-road

Visit the Red River New Mexico OHV trails if you’re seeking an exciting off-road adventure in New Mexico. Don’t worry if you have never off-roaded before; with the trail’s guided off-road Jeep tours, you can still get the best Red River off-road trip. Why limit your summertime activities when you may take a guided Jeep trail tour through New Mexico’s breathtaking magnificence?

5.) Queridas BackCountry OHV

The Quebradas BackCountry OHV trail is appropriate for anyone looking to gain more confidence when driving off-road. Starting from the path’s main section, which has a well-maintained gravel road and lovely views, is one option. If you’re an experienced off-road vehicle driver, you can take the side paths for a more thrilling and enjoyable ride through steep, loose soil with lots of sand climbs and rocky hazards in your path. It’s an excellent one for explorers seeking out uncharted territory. In addition to the hard terrain and kilometers of enjoyable riding, the location is great for sightseeing and camping. The track is really great because it offers a nice variety of views.

6.) The Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area

The Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area in New Mexico has more than 800 acres of exciting ATV tracks for outdoor explorers. Large sand dunes and steep to gentle hills are part of the landscape, which is suitable for OHV, ATV, and UTV use. The multiple roads and trails on the trail have been shaped by nearly 40 years of consistent off-road activity. Visitors can participate in a variety of motorized activities to challenge and test their driving skills, thanks to the varied scenery.

Trails For Dirt Bikes In Angel Fire, New Mexico

We had the opportunity to check out two local dirt bike tracks while visiting Angel Fire, New Mexico, which were located in a US National Forest. In Angel Fire, off Highway 64, Forest Road 5 was the first route we rode (GPS Coordinates Here). Although there are a few smaller paths that branch off of this short Forest Road trail, it is just around 7 miles long. Our main reason for selecting this short track was to test how the bikes handled the greater altitude of Angel Fire (9200 ft) on this particular path. Please don’t startle the cows, and be kind to them! The second path we rode was Forest Road 76, often known as the Osha Pass Road, which is a 35.5-mile point-to-point route that connects Angel Fire and Tres Resitos at an elevation of over 10,000 feet! This is accessible from NM-434. The staging area’s GPS coordinates are listed below; a second staging area may be found immediately past the livestock gate. We traveled 12 miles one way before turning around since we were unsure of the trail’s length or Aaron’s CRF150RB’s (1.1-gallon tank) fuel capacity. At the beginning of the walk, there were undoubtedly some little boulder gardens, but after that, it began to open up.

The New Mexico Elephant Rock Motorcycle Trail System

In Taos County, New Mexico, close to the town of Red River, there are roughly 25 miles of historical mining roads that make up the Elephant Rock OHV Trails Network. The Questa Forest District oversees the trail system, which is situated in the Carson National Forest. These trails are crucial links between communities and other recreational activities when they are intact. But the designated usage itself is jeopardized when trail system maintenance is put off. The project involves improved trailhead parking, informational signs at the trailheads, directional signage on the trails, GPS mapping of the trails, and the creation of a full map brochure. The local motorcycle and ATV riders will work together on this project to fix the broken portions, stabilize the delicate sections, and bridge waterways. The watershed must be maintained because it is delicate. Thus good path planning, building, and upkeep are essential. Additionally, some of the paths will be marked and made available for ATV use through this project, despite the fact that they were originally exclusively intended for motorbikes. No one can build any of these roadways wide enough for Side x Side vehicles. While a contractor will be engaged to operate the heavy machinery, the local community will volunteer to do the majority of the job.

The Towns of Red River and Questa, in particular, as well as the Enchanted Circle as a whole, rely heavily on their trail system for their recreational economy. These trails draw riders from all around the state as well as tourists from other states. The villages in this area greatly benefit economically from outdoor activity. The region has developed a reputation for having particularly superb OHV routes, which keeps attracting plenty of tourists. Because it will effectively create a distinct attraction for ADV/Dual Sports travelers via New Mexico while on the BDR or the Continental Divide Ride, this initiative will benefit the NMBDR route.

Southwest is the best region for riding dirt bikes.
It came as no surprise that many suggestions for the greatest riding in the Southwest focused more on off-road trails than on motocross tracks. Some of the best topography in the world may be found in the American Southwest, which for our purposes, includes the states of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado. Contrary to California’s concrete jungle, there are numerous trails here, and the view is unparalleled. Rainy days are also uncommon. The high and low desert climates of the Southwest make for favorable year-round riding conditions. In this third of a seven-part series, we ask riders like you where they think the best riding spots are in the country. We refrain from expressing an opinion or choosing the obvious. All of the motocross tracks and trail riding locations here have been recommended by people who have visited them and want to share their knowledge. The list of areas we’ll be covering is as follows:
Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming make up the Pacific Northwest.

The State Of California

Southwest: Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico
Midwest: Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and
States of Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee are located in the Southeast.
Northeast: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island

1.) Arizona Cycle Park
For those of you who are unfamiliar, Arizona Cycle Park is located near Buckeye, Arizona. The webpage alone explains why this received several nods. ACP provides a variety of exciting dirt events, including Motocross, Supercross, Arenacross, and Endurocross. The track hosts numerous occasions all year round, including a forthcoming qualifying for Loretta Lynn’s region.

2.) Dacono, Colorado’s IMI Motorsports Complex
Another one of these multipurpose fun places is IMI Motorsports in Dacono, Colorado, which offers kart, Super Moto, and of course, Motocross circuits. The dirt track is regarded as a professional Motocross course and is updated annually.

3.) Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, which is located east of Phoenix and is still a desert area, is removed from the boundaries of the huge metropolis and its polluted air. Great desert scenery and a variety of difficult trails.

The most common queries

In New Mexico, are dirt motorcycles permitted?

May 7, 2022. More than 10 top dirt bike trail locations may be found in New Mexico, a US state. Elephant Rock, Haystack Mountain OHV Recreation Area, Gordy’s Hill OHV Area, Willie White Trail, and Sandia Moriarty Motocross Park are regarded as the top New Mexico dirt biking destinations based on popularity.

In New Mexico, are sand dunes rideable?

OHVA Mescalero Sand Dunes
The 610 acres of dunes offer sand dune riding, with miles of open, soft sand trails connecting the various dunes complexes. The dunes are nearly 90 feet tall, and the quartz sand is incredibly soft. To get to the dunes, there are three parking spots.