Where to Ride
Places to Drive or Ride in New Mexico
New Mexico has lots of places to ride on federally managed land. Until recently, OHV-use in NM was largely un-managed by both the BLM and FS. That has changed. The Forest Services Travel Management Rule implementation will more formally identify trail systems on the five National Forests in New Mexico (this video briefly describes the TMR). To date, the Cibola and Lincoln National Forests are the only NM Forests to have issued Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM's). The Cibola National Forest has also issued an MVUM for one National Grassland.
Cibola National Forest - Sandia Ranger District
Cibola National Forest - Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands
Lincoln National Forest
Until the other Motor Vehicle Use Maps are issued, here are links to the roads/trails systems within the National Forests:
Carson National Forest
Cibola National Forest-Mountainair Ranger District
Cibola National Forest-Mt. Taylor Ranger Dsitrict
(The Magdalena District of the Cibola has not issued maps yet)
Gila National Forest
Santa Fe National Forest
The BLM has also started to more actively manage OHV travel on the lands they manage. Here are links to some of the more popular developed and semi-developed riding areas on BLM managed land within the seven management areas in New Mexico:
The Glade - Farmington
The Dunes - Farmington
Hackberry Lake - Carlsbad
Robledo Mountains - Las Cruces
Haystack Mountain - Roswell
Mesacalero Sands - Roswell
San Ysidro Trials Area - Rio Ruerco
Gordy's Hill - Socorro
For the most part, OHV travel on BLM managed lands is limited to existing roads and trails. For specific information on OHV travel regulations on other BLM-managed lands, please contact the appropriate field office. http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en.html
Driving/Riding Near Albuquerque
CEDRO PEAK, EAST MTNS
The dirtbike riding we have closest to Albuquerque is the Cedro Peaks area in the East Mtns. It is in the Sandia Ranger District, which is part of the Cibola National Forest. The riding area is off Highway 14, south of the Tijeras-Cedarcrest Exit from I-40. It has a lot of really fun single track linked with sections of dirt road. Skill level is mostly Class C to B ("easy – mediocre"). There are some limited sections of "this is more than I want." In order to determine which designated routes you may ride or drive on, stop by the Sandia District Ranger office in Tijeras, and get the free MVUM (the front desk is sometimes staffed by volunteers).
GETTING THERE:
Go south on 14, (towards Mountainair). Go past the Sandia Ranger Station. A short ways past that,
on your left, is a dirt road signed ' Arroyo Chamisoso'. Turn left and park in the dirt lot.
The trails are accessed from there. This trail system is the last legal riding we have left in the Sandia Ranger District. We are working very hard to protect and upgrade it right now. PLEASE, STAY ON THE TRAILS. Yield to non-motorized users. And turn off your engine to let horses pass. There are surprisingly few non-motorized users even on the nicest summer weekend, but do stay alert. Your buddy on a dirtbike could be coming, at speed, from the opposite direction.
Southern Blvd., west end, in Rio Rancho
There is a quite varied, extensive and widespread network of desert roads and trails accessed off the far west end of Southern Blvd in Rio Rancho. Seems like everyone knows about "Southern." But what most people don't know is that Southern is private property. Riding there is technically illegal and trespass. The owners, the King Ranch (yes, our former governor) and some other real estate developers, have been tolerating the usage....SO FAR. SO PLEASE, for all our sakes, do not cut fences or do anything stupid out there (bonfires, dumping trash, shooting). Some people think this is BLM land and legal riding. Decades ago, it used to be, but most of what we ride was swapped out to the King Ranch. One of these fine days, we'll go out on a great Sunday, and find ourselves locked out. The area may become a housing development. Hopefully that will be later rather than sooner.
Places to Ride Outside the State
Disclaimer
NMOHVA, NMOHVA.org, it's officers, directors, finances or membership can not be held liable or responsible in any way, shape or form for this document's content, inaccuracies, use, misuse, or interpretation. The reader or user is solely responsible for knowing New Mexico OHV laws, regulations and statutes, and must inquire with appropriate authorities for up-to-date laws, regulations or statutes regarding OHV operation.
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