Autumn Adventures in New Mexico: 8 Overland Trails to Conquer with PAKRAX Protection
New Mexico might not always top the list for overlanders — but it should. This state is a hidden gem filled with rugged desert trails, mountain passes lined with golden aspens, and quiet backroads where you can camp under some of the darkest skies in the country. Fall is the perfect season to explore it all. With cooler weather and fewer crowds, the Land of Enchantment truly lives up to its name.
Whether you’re venturing into ancient lava flows or chasing alpine color in the Jemez Mountains, PAKRAX gear keeps your rig protected while you discover New Mexico’s untamed beauty.
Here are 8 overland trails to experience this fall.
1. Cibola National Forest Scenic Byway (Easy – 50 miles)
Highlights: This mellow route near Grants climbs from desert plains into forested mountains — a great warm-up for new overlanders.
Camping: Multiple Forest Service campgrounds and dispersed sites along the byway.
Water: Occasional creeks; bring your own for reliability.
PAKRAX Tip: Bed racks make it simple to haul extra gear for those crisp mountain camps.
2. Jemez Mountain Trail (Blue – 60 miles)
Highlights: This scenic route north of Albuquerque winds through red rock canyons, hot springs, and golden aspens. A perfect fall drive.
Camping: Abundant dispersed camping near Jemez Falls and Valles Caldera.
Water: Streams and springs available; filter before drinking.
PAKRAX Tip: Rock sliders are a great safety net for the narrow, rocky forest roads that cut through this route.
3. Chaco Canyon Roads (Easy – 21 miles one-way)
Highlights: A trip through ancient history — the rough dirt road to Chaco Culture National Historical Park is worth every bump.
Camping: Designated campground at the park.
Water: None available — pack all you need.
PAKRAX Tip: Bed stiffeners keep your truck bed stable and gear tied down on those long, washboard roads.
4. Mogollon Box Canyon (Blue – 15 miles)
Highlights: Deep canyon walls, rocky climbs, and quiet wilderness tucked in the Gila National Forest.
Camping: Primitive dispersed camping available throughout the canyon.
Water: Seasonal creeks — don’t rely on them.
PAKRAX Tip: Rock sliders protect your rig from narrow canyon ledges and scattered boulders.
5. Monticello Box Canyon (Blue – 18 miles)
Highlights: A scenic drive through a desert canyon with multiple shallow creek crossings — an absolute fall favorite.
Camping: Plenty of dispersed camping at the canyon entrances.
Water: Seasonal, but the creek usually runs lightly in fall.
PAKRAX Tip: Bed stiffeners and sliders are ideal here; water crossings and uneven terrain can shift loads quickly.
6. Cruces Basin Wilderness Access Trails (Blue – 25 miles)
Highlights: High meadows, pine forests, and remote wilderness access near the Colorado border. Quiet and uncrowded.
Camping: Dispersed sites along forest service roads.
Water: Streams and small ponds — filter required.
PAKRAX Tip: Roof rack storage makes it easy to carry extra firewood and gear for high-country camps.
7. Red River Pass (Blue – 10 miles)
Highlights: A stunning drive through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains — short but packed with mountain views and fall color.
Camping: Multiple Forest Service campgrounds nearby.
Water: Streams and creeks along the way.
PAKRAX Tip: The cargo bed slide makes gear access easy when setting up camp after the drive.
8. El Malpais Backcountry Loop (Blue – 50 miles)
Highlights: A surreal drive through lava flows, sandstone bluffs, and volcanic terrain in western New Mexico.
Camping: Dispersed camping on BLM land surrounding the monument.
Water: None available — plan ahead.
PAKRAX Tip: Rock sliders protect your undercarriage from volcanic rock edges, while stiffeners keep loads tight over rough lava roads.
New Mexico might fly under the radar, but for those who know, it’s an overlander’s dream — wild, colorful, and full of discovery. From the aspen-lined Jemez to the volcanic plains of El Malpais, there’s a trail for every skill level. And when the terrain turns rugged, PAKRAX has your back — keeping your rig ready for whatever the Land of Enchantment throws your way.