Trails in New Mexico

Todo Nuevo México

Trail · Southwest NM
El Malpais National Conservation Area
El Malpais National Conservation Area in southwestern New Mexico was established in 1987 to protect the geological, archaeological, and cultural resources of the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field. Managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office, the area supports camping, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, photography, and interpretive programs. A fee may apply; confirm current requirements with the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office before visiting.
Hiking · Fee
Trail · Southwest NM
El Malpais Wilderness Study Area
El Malpais Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is a collection of independent tracts in Cibola County under consideration for formal Wilderness designation by the Bureau of Land Management. The largest tract features Little Hole-in-the-Wall, a kīpuka (island of fertile ground) surrounded by jagged lava-flow basalt, within piñon-juniper and ponderosa pine forest. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the WSA. Access is via Highway 53 south of Grants, near the Zuni Acoma Trail trailhead.
Hiking
Trail · Northwest NM
Empedrado Wilderness Study Area
Empedrado Wilderness Study Area is a BLM wilderness study area in New Mexico, managed by the Rio Puerco Field Office. The landscape features deep arroyos, highly sculpted sandstone and shale mesas, and canyons. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the area, marked by cairns only. The WSA supports nesting golden eagles, prairie falcons, and other raptors on its sandstone cliffs, and vegetation includes grama grass, cactus, and Knight's milevetch. Accessed from San Ysidro via US 550 and NM 279.
Hiking, Equestrian
Trail · Central NM
Encino Trailhead
Encino Trailhead in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico welcomes both hikers and equestrian riders, making it a dual-use starting point for exploring this mountain range. Photography is permitted. Specific trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently listed; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Hiking, Equestrian
Trail · Southwest NM
Florida Mountains Wilderness Study Area
The Florida Mountains are an isolated, rocky range in southern Luna County, New Mexico, approximately 10 miles southeast of Deming. The wilderness study area is managed by the BLM Las Cruces District and features steep canyons, vertical cliffs, and elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,295 feet (Florida Peak). Primary access is via the Lovers Leap Trail, a 0.8-mile path starting from Rockhound State Park that terminates at the WSA boundary. The landscape includes grasses, desert shrubs, and juniper trees characteristic of the Chihuahuan Desert. Visitors can explore the backcountry via wilderness routes after the marked trail ends; a 14-day maximum stay applies.
Hiking
Trail · South Central NM
Fort Craig Historic Site
Fort Craig Historic Site in south-central New Mexico preserves one of the largest and most important frontier forts in the American West, established in 1854. Managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office, the site offers day-use access for hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, and interpretive programs, and is recognized as a significant historic and cultural destination. A fee may apply — contact the BLM Socorro Field Office for current entry requirements.
Hiking · Fee
Trail · Southeast NM
Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area
The Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area in Lincoln County, New Mexico, protects a nationally significant cave system established by the Bureau of Land Management in 2009. The area encompasses Fort Stanton Cave, the second longest cave in New Mexico with over 56 miles of mapped passage, and contains Snowy River, the world's longest cave formation. The 73-mile trail network offers hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking through meadows and canyons with views of the Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. The site is also significant for its historic 1855 Army post, cultural, scientific, and archaeological resources.
Hiking · Fee
Trail · Central NM
Fourth of July Trailhead
Fourth of July Trailhead sits at the west/northwest end of Fourth of July Campground in the Manzano Mountains, Cibola National Forest. The 1.8-mile trail leads from this day-use trailhead into Manzano Mountain Wilderness and eventually connects to Manzano Crest Trail. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service's Mountainair Ranger District, Torrance County. Campground operates April–November; day-use parking is available near the entrance.
1.8 mi · Moderate · Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Gila Lower Box Canyon
Gila Lower Box Canyon is a riparian recreation area managed by the BLM Las Cruces District in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, located 20 miles north of Lordsburg. Access requires 4-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicles on designated County Road routes. The area supports approximately 200 bird species and provides year-round fishing for smallmouth bass and catfish, camping, and wildlife viewing. Multiple river access points at Nichol's Canyon (3.5 miles), Fisherman's Point (6 miles), and Spring-on-the-Bluff (8 miles) lead to the Gila River canyon. Native riparian vegetation (cottonwood, willows) has re-established since livestock removal in 1990. Canoeing and rafting are possible during spring runoff.
Hard · Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area
The Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area is located in southwestern New Mexico about 20 miles northwest of Lordsburg in Hidalgo County, managed by the BLM Las Cruces Field Office. The Gila River has carved a 5-mile-long canyon up to 600 feet deep, creating the "Lower Box," a riparian oasis heavily vegetated with ash, cottonwood, Arizona sycamore, and willow. The area supports 265 bird species, 67 mammal species, 12 amphibian species, and 54 reptile species, making it one of New Mexico's premier bird-watching destinations. The WSA contains petroglyphs and rock shelters reflecting the area's cultural heritage.
Hiking
Trail · Northwest NM
Glade Run Recreation Area
Glade Run Recreation Area is a 19,000-acre BLM-managed site in San Juan County, New Mexico, approximately 5.5 miles north of Farmington. The landscape features sandy arroyos, slickrock, and rolling terrain with sparse vegetation. The area is divided into two zones: a northern limited-use section with approximately 42 miles of marked mountain bike and dirt bike trails, and a southern 3,800-acre open OHV area for rock crawling and high-speed off-road driving.
Hiking, ATV OHV
Trail · Southwest NM
Gooseberry Springs Trailhead
Gooseberry Springs Trailhead sits on the upper loop of Forest Road 193 in the Mount Taylor area of southwestern New Mexico, approximately 5 miles from State Highway 547. Open for hiking, the trailhead provides access to trails in this forest setting. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty are not specified; check the recreation.gov listing for current conditions before visiting.
Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Gray Peak Wilderness Study Area
Gray Peak Wilderness Study Area is a 11-mile rugged mountain ridgeline with five peaks in the Hidalgo County bootheel of southwestern New Mexico, approximately 40 miles from Lordsburg. Managed by the BLM's Las Cruces District Office, the area features Madrean pine-oak woodland habitat supporting Mexican long-tongued bats, coatimundi, desert bighorn sheep, and green rat snakes. Permitted uses include wilderness recreation, hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing. IMPORTANT: There is currently no legal public access across adjoining lands to reach this wilderness study area.
Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Guadalupe Canyon Wilderness Study Area
Guadalupe Canyon Wilderness Study Area is a remote, protected canyon and valley spanning Hidalgo County in southwestern New Mexico and Cochise County in Arizona, managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Las Cruces District Office. Located about 30 miles east of Douglas, Arizona in the southern Peloncillo Mountains, the area contains Madrean Encinal woodlands with oak and perennial grasses, sycamores in riparian zones, and Chihuahuan pine on north-facing slopes. The WSA is renowned for wildlife viewing and is located at the northern range limit of many desert species found nowhere else in the United States. Access is extremely remote and difficult, typically requiring cross-country hiking or horseback riding through the Coronado National Forest; check with the Forest Service for current conditions on the contiguous Bunk Robinson WSA to the north.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Guadalupe Ruin
A steep, unimproved footpath leads 0.25 miles to a single-story masonry pueblo—the easternmost Chacoan Outlier—situated atop an isolated sandstone mesa rising 200 feet. The site contains at least 39 rectangular rooms and 7 semi-subterranean kivas (two stabilized and roofed). Reoccupied in the late 13th century by Mesa Verde immigrants. Archaeological resources are protected under the Antiquities Act and ARPA; violators face up to 5 years imprisonment and $250,000 fines. The mesa top offers expansive views across the Rio Puerco Valley. Remote location requires high-clearance vehicle access (approximately 2 hours from Albuquerque).
0.2 mi · Moderate · Hiking
Trail · Southeast NM
Haystack Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle Area
Haystack Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle Area, managed by the BLM Roswell Field Office, encompasses 1,920 acres of rugged terrain in Chaves County overlooking the Pecos River in southeast New Mexico. The area features single-track trails across bare rock and sandy washes through a scenic sandstone escarpment, with significant elevation changes including deep gullies and difficult hill climbs. The terrain accommodates riders of all skill levels and is ideal for OHVs no wider than 50 inches and motorcycles; mountain biking is also permitted. Nationally sanctioned Trials events are held annually.
Hiking, ATV OHV · Fee
Trail · North Central NM
Holy Ghost Trailhead
Holy Ghost Trailhead in north-central New Mexico provides access for hiking, backpacking, and fishing in the Pecos area, with a vault toilet available at the adjacent Holy Ghost Campground. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty are not listed; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Hiking
Trail · Northwest NM
Homesteads of Upper Largo Canyon
The Homesteads of Upper Largo Canyon in northwestern New Mexico preserve evidence of the region's agricultural heritage, anchored by the Margarita Martinez Homestead — a four-room sandstone structure with a corral and irrigation canal in Tafoya Canyon. Managed by the BLM Farmington Field Office, the site is open for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography, and is recognized as a historic and cultural destination. Contact the BLM Farmington Field Office for current access details.
Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area
A 9,450-foot isolated forest and woodland rising above the grassy San Agustin Plain in west-central New Mexico, managed by the BLM's Socorro Field Office. South-facing slopes support one-seed juniper, alligator juniper, and two-leaf pinon; north-facing slopes have ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and Mexican white pine. The area provides habitat for mule deer, elk, golden eagles, mountain lions, bobcats, and occasionally bald eagles. Access via Horse Springs Road from Datil requires high-clearance vehicles; hikers and horseback riders can reach Nance Canyon from the parking area.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Horsethief Mesa Trail
Horsethief Mesa Trail in north-central New Mexico is approximately a 12-mile loop rated at an intermediate level, featuring some technical and rocky sections along the way. Managed by the BLM Taos Field Office, the trail is open for hiking. Photography is permitted. Elevation and duration details are not listed; contact the BLM Taos Field Office for current conditions before heading out.
Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Hoverrocker Wilderness Study Area
Hoverrocker Wilderness Study Area is a 22-acre parcel in Hidalgo County, southwestern New Mexico, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District Office. This small area represents the New Mexico portion of a formerly larger wilderness study area; the adjacent Arizona section was released from wilderness review in 1990. The site remains pending Congressional action on wilderness designation. Access is via cross-country hiking from adjacent U.S. Forest Service or BLM lands.
Hiking
Trail · Northwest NM
Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area
The Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area comprises 47,000 acres across two wilderness study areas (Ignacio Chavez and Chamisa) in northwest New Mexico, managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Rio Puerco Field Office. Much of the land lies within the 1768 Ignacio Chavez Land Grant. The arid northern section and higher piñon-ponderosa plateau in the south feature steep canyons and rugged cliffs. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the area, accessed via approximately 13 miles of gravel and dirt road from County Road 279, with unmaintained trails connecting to the CDNST. Primitive camping and backcountry recreation including hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, hunting, and wildlife viewing are permitted with no fee or permit required for non-commercial use.
Hiking
Trail · Northwest NM
Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area
Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area in northwestern New Mexico spans two distinct ecological zones: an arid northern portion and a higher southern plateau dominated by piñon and ponderosa pine. Managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office, the area is open for hiking and wildlife viewing. Photography is permitted. Contact the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office for current access conditions.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Iron Gate Trailhead
Iron Gate Trailhead is a high-elevation trailhead in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains within Santa Fe National Forest's Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District, located 23 miles north of Pecos via NM 63 and rough Forest Road 223 (high-clearance vehicles recommended). Situated above 9,000 feet, it provides access to Hamilton Mesa Trail and panoramic Pecos Wilderness views. Day hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding are permitted; potable water is unavailable, and a vault toilet serves the area. Open seasonally May–November, weather permitting.
Hiking, Equestrian
Trail · North Central NM
Jacks Creek Horse Camp
Jacks Creek Horse Camp is nestled among aspens and mixed conifer in the Pecos high country of north-central New Mexico, offering 8 equestrian camping units. The site accommodates hiking, horseback riding, horse camping, and picnicking. Photography is permitted. Consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current availability, fees, and conditions.
Hiking, Equestrian
Trail · North Central NM
Jacks Creek Trailhead
Jacks Creek Trailhead in north-central New Mexico lies approximately 21 miles up NM 63, providing access for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and horse camping. The trailhead is equipped with vault toilets and drinking water. Photography is permitted. Specific trail length, elevation, and difficulty are not listed; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Hiking, Equestrian
Trail · North Central NM
Jemez Falls Trailhead
Jemez Falls Trailhead in north-central New Mexico sits adjacent to the Jemez Falls Group Area, accessed via the Jemez Falls Campground turnoff past the day-use area. Open for hiking and picnicking; photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not specified; consult the recreation.gov listing for current conditions.
Hiking
Trail · South Central NM
Johnson (Gordy's) Hill
Johnson (Gordy's) Hill is a Bureau of Land Management-managed OHV recreation area in Socorro County, New Mexico, featuring diverse trails and roads traversing deeply dissected canyons with high sandstone and limestone bluffs. The area encompasses interconnected dirt and rock roads suitable for off-highway vehicles, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, with scenic vistas of the Rio Grande Valley from the higher ridges. Located near Socorro (approximately 6 miles away), the area is managed by the Socorro Field Office and operated year-round with no facilities, fees, or reservations required.
Hiking, ATV OHV · Fee
Trail · South Central NM
Jornada del Muerto Wilderness Study Area
Wilderness Study Area in Socorro County managed by BLM Socorro Field Office, located approximately 45 air miles south-southeast of Socorro. The area is almost entirely composed of lava flows characterized by lava tubes, sinkholes, and pressure ridges. These volcanic formations support desert vegetation including grassland and soaptree yucca, and provide habitat for dark-colored reptiles and bats. Access is via Highway 380 near San Antonio, then County Road 153/Fite Ranch Road for approximately 23.5 miles, followed by cross-country hiking. Maximum stay is 14 days.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is a protected volcanic landscape on the Pajarito Plateau in Sandoval County, New Mexico, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Santa Fe near Cochiti Pueblo. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Cochiti Pueblo, the monument features distinctive cone-shaped tent rock formations created by pyroclastic flows from the Jemez volcanic field 6 to 7 million years ago. Three maintained hiking trails provide access: the Cave Loop Trail (1.2 miles, easy), the Slot Canyon Trail (1.5 miles one-way with a 630-foot climb, difficult), and Veterans Memorial Loop (1 mile, easy). Entry is by reservation only, Thursday through Monday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with mandatory exit by 4 p.m. This is a foot-travel-only monument; dogs are not permitted.
Hiking · Fee
Trail · Central NM
Kayser / Cottonwood Trailhead
Kayser/Cottonwood Trailhead is located off Forest Road 422 in Torrance County within the Mountainair Ranger District of Cibola National Forest, situated in the Manzano Mountains approximately 50 miles south-southeast of Albuquerque. The trailhead is accessed by parking off FR422 and hiking about half a mile to Kayser/Cottonwood Junction. The area sits within the 2007 Ojo Peak Wildfire recovery zone. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, this location serves as a jumping-off point for hiking and horseback riding in the Manzano Mountains, which contain the largest stand of Rocky Mountain large tooth maples in New Mexico.
Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Kilbourne Hole Volcanic Crater
Kilbourne Hole is a maar volcanic crater designated a National Natural Landmark in 1975, located in southern Doña Ana County between the Potrillo Mountains and the Rio Grande. The crater measures 1.5 by 2.1 miles in diameter and reaches 443 feet deep, formed 24,000–80,000 years ago when magma encountered groundwater-saturated sediment. Managed by the BLM's Las Cruces Field Office, it features volcanic bombs with distinctive olivine glass interiors and abundant mantle xenoliths of scientific interest. Access is by vehicle on county roads, then hiking to the crater rim.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
La Cienequilla Petroglyphs
La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs is a Bureau of Land Management cultural and recreation area in Santa Fe County, north-central New Mexico, featuring hundreds of petroglyphs created by Keresan-speaking pueblo peoples between the 13th and 17th centuries. The site sits on basalt cliffs above the Santa Fe River and is known for abundant hump-backed flute player and bird imagery. The one-mile loop trail starts as a dirt path and transitions to rock scrambling. Petroglyphs are protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, Antiquities Act, and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and must not be touched, chalked, or rubbed; visitors should observe respectfully and maintain the integrity of this cultural resource.
1.0 mi · Moderate · Hiking · Fee
Trail · Southwest NM
La Cueva
La Cueva Non-Motorized Trail System is a 2,200-acre trail network with over 15 miles of maintained trails near Carlsbad in Eddy County, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The trails wind through rolling limestone foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert terrain. The system prohibits motorized vehicles and requires pets to be leashed on a 6-foot leash. Trailhead access is via McKittrick Road on the southwest side, recently relocated due to construction of the West Loop Road Relief Route. Notable features: The trail system covers challenging desert terrain with limited shade and no potable water availability. Wildlife includes rattlesnakes, bullsnakes, rabbits, and red-tailed hawks. Cellular service is spotty.
15.0 mi · Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
La Lena Wilderness Study Area
La Lena Wilderness Study Area is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, approximately 18 miles north of San Ysidro along Highway 550. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Rio Puerco Field Office, this landscape features deep arroyos, sculpted mesas, canyons, and sandstone/shale outcrops. Access is via the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which crosses the area and is marked by cairns rather than a formal trailhead. The terrain is described as easily traveled by horseback, with a 14-day maximum stay.
Hiking, Equestrian
Trail · South Central NM
Lake Valley Historic Townsite
A preserved silver-mining ghost town in Sierra County, located on BLM-managed public lands west of Caballo Lake in south-central New Mexico. Founded in 1878 after silver discovery, Lake Valley grew to about 4,000 residents at its peak (1881-1893) before mining depleted. Today the historic townsite features restored BLM structures including the schoolhouse and chapel, with other buildings stabilized against deterioration. A self-guided interpretive walking tour provides visitor access. The site is open Thursday-Monday, 9am-4pm; closed Tuesday-Wednesday. Water and restroom facilities available.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Las Conchas Trailhead
Las Conchas Trailhead sits along NM 4 in north-central New Mexico, approximately three-quarters of a mile south of Las Conchas Picnic Area, serving as the eastern terminus of the East Fork Trail (FT 137). Open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty for FT 137 are not listed in this record; consult the recreation.gov listing for current conditions.
Hiking
Trail · Central NM
Little Black Peak Wilderness Study Area
Little Black Peak Wilderness Study Area is a 75-km lava flow approximately 5,000 years old located in Lincoln County, New Mexico, 4.5 miles west of Carrizozo. Managed by the BLM Roswell Field Office, the area features a rugged landscape of volcanic rock with fissures, jumbled outcrops, and occasional lava tubes. The 5,676-foot Little Black Peak cinder cone is the primary source vent. No designated trails exist; hiking is cross-country only across extremely uneven, sharp volcanic lava. Several pullouts on U.S. 380 provide access points. Valley of Fires Recreation Area lies 2.5 miles away.
Hard · Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Little Dry #180 Trailhead
Little Dry #180 Trailhead provides hiking access to Little Dry Trail #180 in the Gila area of southwestern New Mexico. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not currently specified; check the recreation.gov listing or contact the managing agency for conditions before your visit.
Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Little Walnut-Gomez Peak Day Use Area
Little Walnut-Gomez Peak Day Use Area sits just outside Silver City in southwestern New Mexico, offering a family- and group-friendly setting for picnicking, hiking, and mountain biking. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Hiking, Mountain Bike
Trail · Southeast NM
Loco Lagoon
Loco Lagoon (formerly Conoco Lake) is a three-acre freshwater pond in Lea County, southeastern New Mexico, managed by the BLM Carlsbad Field Office. Created in 1990 through a cooperative agreement with Conoco, Inc., it is stocked with catfish and bass by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The site provides day-use fishing, birding, wildlife viewing, photography, and picnicking in the Maljamar oil field region. Access is via an unmarked two-track road marked by a black pumpjack, located 0.6 miles south of Maljamar Road after traveling 3.3 miles on Maljamar Road. The site has no facilities or potable water. Overnight camping, boating, firearms discharge, and fireworks are prohibited. Visitors must watch for uneven ground, low branches, and slip/fall hazards.
Hiking
Trail · Southeast NM
Lonesome Ridge Wilderness Study Area
Lonesome Ridge Wilderness Study Area is a rugged limestone landscape in Eddy County, New Mexico, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Carlsbad on the eastern side of the Guadalupe Escarpment. Managed by the BLM Carlsbad Field Office, it transitions from Chihuahuan Desert shrubs at lower elevations to sheer limestone cliffs, with steep mountains and dramatic rock formations. The area is contiguous with U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service protected lands. Golden Stairway Trail provides approximately 2 miles of hiking through the WSA.
Hiking
Trail · Central NM
Manzano Crest North Trailhead
Manzano Crest North Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty rating, and other details are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Hiking
Trail · Central NM
Manzano Crest South Trailhead
Manzano Crest South Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty rating, and other details are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Hiking
Trail · Central NM
Manzano Wilderness Study Area
Manzano Wilderness Study Area in central New Mexico is managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office and is under consideration for addition to the adjacent Manzano Wilderness administered by the Cibola National Forest. The area is open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not specified; contact the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office for current access conditions.
Hiking
Trail · Southeast NM
Mathers Wilderness Study Area
The Mathers Wilderness Study Area is located in eastern New Mexico, approximately 40 miles east of Roswell in Lea County, managed by the BLM's Roswell Field Office. The area sits on the edge of the southern part of the Great Plains at the northern end of a 6-10 mile wide belt of sand dunes stabilized by shinnery oak. It provides critical habitat for the endangered dunes sagebrush lizard and lesser prairie chicken, designated as a National Natural Landmark. Access is via Mathers Road (caliche surface) north from US 380 near Tatum. Hiking is the primary permitted recreational activity, with a 14-day maximum stay.
Hiking
Trail · Southeast NM
McGregor Range
McGregor Range in southeastern New Mexico encompasses over 606,000 acres of withdrawn public lands on the west side of Otero Mesa, jointly managed by the BLM and the U.S. Army (Fort Bliss). The area is open for camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Photography is permitted. Contact the managing agencies for current access conditions, as military use may affect availability.
Hiking
Trail · Southeast NM
McKittrick Canyon Wilderness Study Area
McKittrick Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is located in southern New Mexico in Eddy County, approximately 40 miles southwest of Carlsbad, managed by the BLM Carlsbad Field Office. The WSA is contiguous with the Guadalupe Escarpment WSA, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The landscape consists almost entirely of steep side slopes supporting Chihuahuan Desert grassland and scrub (including creosote bush and mesquite), piñon-juniper woodlands, and deciduous riparian areas. This is a primitive, undeveloped wilderness area known for solitude with no facilities, interpretive signage, or potable water. Wildlife includes bighorn sheep, pronghorn, rattlesnakes, and Cooper's Hawks. Access to the WSA requires walking several miles across mountain ridges; private land surrounds the area. Visitors must practice Leave No Trace and are prohibited from motorized vehicles, fireworks, and weapons.
Hiking
Trail · South Central NM
Mesa Trailhead
Mesa Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Magdalena area of south-central New Mexico. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and other details are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Hiking
Trail · Southeast NM
Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area
Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area encompasses more than 610 acres of towering 90+ foot sand dunes composed of shifting quartz particles on the western side of the Llano Estacado near Roswell, New Mexico. Managed by the BLM Roswell Field Office, this open OHV recreation area features mature cottonwood trees, with dunes that shift approximately one foot annually due to southwest winds. Located between Tatum and Roswell along US Route 380; the nearest food and gas services are 35 miles away in Tatum or 45 miles in Roswell.
Hiking, ATV OHV
Trail · Southwest NM
Mesita Blanca Wilderness Study Area
The Mesita Blanca Wilderness Study Area is a BLM-managed landscape in western New Mexico featuring rolling grasslands interspersed with isolated sandstone and basalt mesas. The area includes Red Hill Cinder Cone (approximately 500 feet in relief) and associated lava flows. Vegetation consists of grasslands and piñon-juniper woodland. Located 20 miles west of Quemado in Catron County and accessed via County Road A7/McKinley Ranch Road off Highway 60. Managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office. Stay limit: 14 days maximum.
Hiking
Trail · Southwest NM
Mineral Creek #201 Trailhead
Mineral Creek #201 Trailhead marks the western lower end of Mineral Creek Trail #201 in the Gila area of southwestern New Mexico, with a recorded elevation gain of approximately 3,101 feet. Open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail length, difficulty rating, and duration are not listed; check the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Hiking
Trail · Central NM
Monte Largo Trailhead
Monte Largo Trailhead in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico provides dual-use access for hikers and equestrian riders, with a recorded elevation gain of approximately 3,730 feet. Photography is permitted. Trail length, difficulty rating, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Hiking, Equestrian
Trail · Southwest NM
Mount Riley Wilderness Area
Mount Riley Wilderness Area lies in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, approximately 30 miles southwest of Las Cruces. Managed by the BLM Las Cruces Field Office, the area is open for hiking. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not specified; contact the BLM Las Cruces Field Office for current access conditions.
Hiking
Trail · Southeast NM
Mudgetts Wilderness Study Area
Mudgetts Wilderness Study Area is a rugged, undeveloped landscape of steeply rolling limestone hills and canyons located approximately 30 miles southwest of Carlsbad in Eddy County, New Mexico. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Carlsbad Field Office, the area is characterized by desert shrubland with scattered sotol, agave, and juniper, plus caves and wildlife habitat. Access requires navigation of unmaintained dirt roads and walking several miles across rough terrain; the final mile involves rough four-wheel-drive conditions. No facilities, water, or services are available.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Nambe Badlands Trail
The Nambe Badlands Trail is a two-loop hiking route managed by the BLM's Taos Field Office, located 4.5 miles north of Nambe Pueblo Road on NM 503 in Rio Arriba County, north-central New Mexico. The ~5-mile trail traverses rolling terrain with several steep rocky pitches and delivers excellent views of colorfully eroded badlands. The route crosses natural contours and uneven dirt trails with rocky scrambling sections; narrow trail segments intersect several social trails, requiring route-finding attention. Two parking areas serve the trailhead (one larger, one holding 4-5 vehicles); no water or restrooms are available.
5.0 mi · Hiking
Trail · Central NM
New Canyon Trailhead
New Canyon Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Norski Trailhead
Norski Trailhead in north-central New Mexico serves as a winter nordic ski starting point and a summer hiking and picnicking destination near the Santa Fe Ski Basin. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not listed; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current seasonal conditions.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Ojito Wilderness Area
Ojito Wilderness Area, managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office, encompasses 11,823 acres of rugged high desert in Sandoval County, New Mexico, southwest of San Ysidro. The landscape features steep mesas, box canyons, hoodoos, and multicolored sandstone formations shaped by erosion. Two marked hiking trails depart from the same parking area: the Seismosaurus Trail and Hoodoo Trail, each approximately 2 miles round trip. The area is designated wilderness, so motorized and mechanical travel are prohibited. Visitors must bring all water; no potable water, toilets, or cell service are available. Ancient cultural sites and vertebrate fossils are present and protected by law—collection or disturbance without a research permit is prohibited.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Ojito Wilderness Study Area
Ojito Wilderness Study Area in north-central New Mexico sits adjacent to the Ojito Wilderness and is under consideration for addition to it, managed by the BLM Ojito Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The area is open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not specified; contact the BLM for current access conditions.
Hiking

Trails in New Mexico

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