Hiking/Backpacking
The majority of public lands in New Mexico are open to hiking and backpacking. Certain BLM lands provide excellent opportunities for these activities, especially where they are combined with scenic landscapes, or with special designations such as Wilderness areas. Some BLM locations have designated trails, while other areas require visitors to find their way through the landscape with map and compass.  BLM offers trails that will take you through the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, past historic forts, through rugged lava flows, over picturesque badlands, and into the scenic Rio Grande Gorge.

For your own safety sake, study maps and site information before you go so you are properly prepared.  Tell someone where you’re going and your expected time of return.  Bring plenty of drinking water.  New Mexico is known for its rapidly changing weather - don’t be caught off guard.    Summer afternoon thunderstorms are typical. Be prepared to avoid lightening by timing your visit to peaks, ridges and open areas during the morning. BLM lands aren’t known for their shade; be sure to bring along sunscreen.  Also, make sure you have warm cloths, even in the summer months nighttime temperatures can drop significantly; and a rain jacket is essential during the thunderstorm season.

Our most outstanding opportunities for hiking or backpacking are listed in the column to the right. Follow the links to the individual recreation websites to learn more about each area.

  Horseback Riding

Equestrian activities on public lands generally occur on existing roads and trails or in open country areas. Some recreation sites include trails that have been specifically designated for horseback riding.  The sites listed to the right are some of the better opportunities for horseback riding.

For your own safety sake, study maps and site information before you go so you are properly prepared.  Tell someone where you’re going and your expected time of return.  Bring plenty of drinking water.  New Mexico is known for its rapidly changing weather - don’t be caught off guard.    Summer afternoon thunderstorms are typical. Be prepared to avoid lightening by timing your visit to peaks, ridges and open areas during the morning. BLM lands aren’t known for their shade; be sure to bring along sunscreen.  Also, make sure you have warm cloths, even in the summer months nighttime temperatures can drop significantly; and a rain jacket is essential during the thunderstorm season.

Mountain Biking
Mountain biking opportunities in New Mexico are outstanding in terms of scenic value and variety of riding experiences. Trails on BLM lands offer challenge and reward for the beginner and expert, alike. Unless posted, all roads on BLM lands are available for mountain biking.

When biking on public lands, always ride with a partner and leave word with someone else regarding your whereabouts and time of return. Using the appropriate mountain biking ethics will assure the longevity of the natural resource and the continued ability to participate in the sport.  Please avoid creating new trails or switchbacks; avoid damaging vegetation and soils by staying on the existing trail.  Mountain bikers are expected to yield to hikers and horseback riders.  Give verbal warning to hikers when approaching from behind. Also remember that sudden rainfalls can turn solid trails into heavy mud. You should always have the following items when biking: helmet, sunglasses, sunscreen, rain gear, water, snacks, air pump, allen wrenches, pliers, chain tool, tire levers, patch kit, and spare tubes.

Some of the better mountain biking areas on BLM lands in New Mexico are at the sites listed in the right hand column.

For information on BLM's National Mountain Bicycle Strategic Action Plan visit: www.blm.gov/mountain_biking/qa.htm.

Trails Carlsbad Field Office   Black River Recreation Area   Guadalupe Backcountry Byway   Hackberry Lake OHV Area   Pecos River Corridor Recreation Area Farmington Field Office   Angel Peak Scenic Area   Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness   Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area   Glade Run Recreation Area   Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern Las Cruces District Office   Aguirre Spring Campground   Continental Divide National Scenic Trail   Dripping Springs Natural Area   Gila Lower Box Canyon   Granite Gap   Kilbourne Hole Volcanic Crater   Lake Valley Backcountry Byway   Lake Valley Historic Townsite   Prehistoric Trackways National Monument   Sierra Vista Trail   Soledad Canyon Day Use Area   Three Rivers Petroglyph Site Rio Puerco Field Office   Cabezon Peak Wilderness Study Area   Cebolla Wilderness   Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway   Continental Divide National Scenic Trail   El Malpais National Conservation Area   Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area   Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument   Ojito Wilderness   Perea Nature Trail   West Malpais Wilderness   White Mesa Bike Trails Roswell Field Office   Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area   Haystack Mountain OHV Area   Mescalero Sands North Dune OHV Area   Valley of Fires Recreation Area Socorro Field Office   Continental Divide National Scenic Trail   Datil Well Recreation Area Campground   Fort Craig National Historic Site   Gordy's Hill Area   Quebradas Backcountry Byway   San Lorenzo Canyon Recreation Area   Socorro Nature Area   The Box Recreation Area Taos Field Office   Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River   Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River   Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway   Wild Rivers Recreation Area   Orilla Verde Recreation Area   Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area   Sabinoso Wilderness