Cool spots in New Mexico to off-road almost stock

Where are some cool spots in New Mexico to off-road? Maybe dunes wooded areas? Have never been there, my Tacoma is not quite stock, has a suspension set up but not anything crazy

 

While it's not TX, it's still a pretty big state. Are you in (or visiting) a particular area?

 

Oh god, sorry....I’m a total idiot. We’ll be in Albuquerque and Santa Fe but are down to travel 3 hours away

 

Goose lake road/ohv trail was fun when I did it over the summer. Takes about 1.5 hours one way depending on how heavy a foot you have. Make sure if you do it you cross the bridge to start the trail. I almost had a bad day when I went through the River, but it was a bit high. The trail starts in Red River though, 2 hours 15 minutes from santa Fe so don't know if it is worth the trip. Check alltrails when you are in santa sa for other good off-roading closer by.

Pics of the top

Said River crossing aftermath:

If you want to hike a hour or two to the top of gold Hill it is just up from where the trail takes you as well. I saw probably 40-50 bighorn on the hike.

 

Oh wow....that water was HIGH
Thankyou so much!!!! I’ll check that out.
Does all trails do trails for that specifically? Or is it just the hiking trails? Either way super cool, I’ll check that out too

 

I have the alltrails app, just go under the filters tab and select off-road driving. This will pull up trails that have offroading opportunities as reported by users, I just reccomend checking in the reviews and pictures to verify you can off-road and they are not mis labeled.

 

One word of advice: keep your eyes peeled in Albuquerque. You'll be in the city with the highest rate of auto theft in the nation, and they target hotels along the interstates. Just be vigilant.

A quick, scenic drive very close to town is the drive up Las Huertas Canyon. Take 25 north to the Bernalillo/Placitas exit (Exit 242) and take SR 165 east through Placitas. 165 turns to dirt past Placitas, and eventually meets up with SR 536 below Sandia Crest. The quick drive to the Crest (paved) is worth the time, as you'll be overlooking ABQ from 10,100+ ft in elevation. 536 will take you to Highway 14, which you can take to I-40 to get back to town.

Assuming it's open, the Dome Road (St. Peter's Dome Road) in the Jemez Mountains is an enjoyable drive. Take I-25 north to the Santo Domingo exit (Exit 259) and head west towards the mountains. Once you're through the towns of Pena Blanca and Cochiti Lake, continue past the golf course, until you see the gate and FR 289 (dirt road) on your right. This road winds through the dry side of the Jemez and eventually meets up with SR 4 just below the Valle Grande and the Valles Caldera. You can take SR 4 into Los Alamos and stop for a beer at Bathtub Row Brewing.

Those are just a couple ideas in the area immediately surrounding ABQ. I'd be happy to give you additional recommendations, if you'd like.

 

oh man you made it sound so bad! But it's not really that bad. It has gotten better ) my car did get stolen once back in 2010 but that has not happened again since. I live there and I don't even know those places you mentioned, gotta go explore some more! haha

 

I'm born and raised, left seven and half years ago for work. I love NM, but it's gone downhill. In my years there, I had two vehicles stolen and vehicles broken into three times, and that was before it lead the nation in either one. That said, I don't hesitate to visit, but I keep my head on a swivel. And I strongly discourage people from staying at the hotels along the freeways in town, since they are known to be targeted.

As they say: "New Mexico. Come for the scenery, stay because your car was stolen."

 

Backcountry discovery route.