The small town of Monticello, New Mexico is well situated for the off-road enthusiast. Located about 25 miles south of the larger town of Truth or Consequences, Monticello is also close to Elephant Butte Lake State Park. Monticello is something of a ghost town, with buildings still standing from its early days as a place to protect settlers from Apache attacks. The rugged desert, with its long trails and high temperatures, attracts outdoors enthusiasts and campers.
This 17-mile trail begins in the town of Monticello and runs along the Alamosa River. This relatively easy off-road trail climbs about 1,000 feet, and crosses back and forth over the river about 100 times, but typically in less than a foot of water. There is private property on both sides of the trail in places, so be careful not to stray off the path as you may find yourself trespassing. See Resource 1 for a map of Monticello Canyon Trail.
The Caballo Lake/Palomas Gap Trail begins about an hour's drive from Monticello, south of Truth or Consequences near Caballo Lake State Park. This moderately difficult trail is 25 miles long and will present more experienced riders with hearty but surmountable challenges. The trail climbs about 3,500 feet to the peak of Timber Mountain, then drops again in a series of switchbacks. There is camping nearby at the state park, making the Caballo/Palomas trail a good choice for an overnight trip from Monticello. See Resource 2 for a map of the Caballo/Palomas Trail.
This difficult loop trail is located south of Monticello and north of Las Cruces. Expect about a 90-minute drive the trailhead. The trail is known for the large boulders that scatter the road. Early on in the trail you'll have to get over the "test rock." If your vehicle can clear this stone, you should be fine the rest of the way. That said, be careful and carry a kit to make any necessary repairs along the way. The loop is about 9 miles long total, but can take extra time with ledges and steep climbs to grapple with. See Resource 3 for a map of Broad Canyon Trail.
