Guides/Overland routes/New Mexico
Overland route3.2 mi1,093 ft gaindifficulty: moderate

Old Red River Pass (Forest Road 488)

RegionNew MexicoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Old Red River Pass (Forest Road 488) — overland route near Red River, New Mexico, New Mexico
Photo by Kent G. Budge, CC0 1.0
Trail vitals7 facts
Length
3.2mi
Elev gain
1,093ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Out and back
Vehicle
High-clearance 4WD. The road is steep, narrow, and often single-lane through the switchbacks; mid-size SUVs and trucks fit comfortably, but larger rigs may struggle to pass at the hairpins.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty. Service drops once you leave the canyon floor and returns near the summit on some networks.
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Old Red River Pass Road, Forest Road 488, is a 3.2-mile dirt route on Carson National Forest's Questa Ranger District. The road climbs the south wall of the Red River canyon in six tight switchbacks to a 9,911-foot pass, gaining roughly 1,100 feet over its length. A Civilian Conservation Corps predecessor cut the original alignment in 1915-1916 as Red River's first reliable wagon route over the divide; modern-day NM 38 (Bobcat Pass) replaced it for through traffic decades ago.

The road is unpaved end to end, single-lane in places, and prone to washouts after monsoon rains. Forest Service crews have closed and rebuilt sections multiple times in recent years to address erosion damage. Most drivers run it as a 6-7 mile out-and-back from NM 578 south of Red River, then return the same way; a longer loop back via NM 38 is possible by continuing east from the pass to the Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Switchback erosion. Heavy monsoon runoff has carved gullies through the road in past seasons. Drive with the assumption that conditions can change between the trailhead and the pass.
  • One-lane sections. Yield to oncoming traffic at the hairpins. Backing down a switchback is a documented cause of incidents on this road.
  • Snow and ice. The pass holds snow into May most years. Ice persists on shaded north-facing corners early and late in the open season.
  • Cell coverage gaps. Carry an offline map and a printed turn-by-turn.
  • No services. No fuel, water, or developed camping on the road itself. Stage in Red River.

Location

3.2 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 36.693, -105.409

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townRed River, New Mexico
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Approx. location36.693, -105.409

Getting there

Directions

From Red River. From the center of town on NM 38, turn south on NM 578 (Upper Red River Canyon Road). The lower trailhead for FR 488 is roughly 2.5 miles up NM 578 on the right, marked by a Forest Service sign. The climb starts immediately.

Loop variant. From the pass, continue east on FR 488 to its junction with NM 38 near the Enchanted Forest Nordic ski area. Turn west on NM 38 to return to Red River.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The road climbs out of the upper Red River drainage above the town of Red River, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of north-central New Mexico. The Questa Ranger District of Carson National Forest manages the route. Nearby paved approaches include the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway (NM 38 / NM 522 / US 64), which loops Wheeler Peak and the high country around Eagle Nest, Red River, and Questa.

Trail Overview

The road runs 3.2 miles from its lower junction with NM 578 (the upper Red River canyon road) to the pass at 9,911 feet. Six hairpin turns stack the climb against the canyon wall. The grade averages 6.4% with steeper pitches between switchbacks. Passing room exists at the corners but rarely between them, so the courteous move is to wait at a switchback if a rig is descending. Surface conditions vary by year and by recent maintenance: the road has been rebuilt to add cross-drainage and water bars after monsoon-season washouts. Snow closes it from late fall through spring, generally November to May.

From the pass, an alternate descent reaches NM 38 near the Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area for a one-way loop back to Red River.

Points of Interest

  • The pass. A 9,911-foot saddle with views into the upper Red River valley, Wheeler Peak, and Gold Hill on a clear day.
  • Switchback engineering. The 1915-era original alignment used the same lines the modern road still follows. Stone retaining walls remain visible on a few corners.
  • Connection to the Enchanted Forest area. The east-side descent reaches Bobcat Pass (NM 38, 9,820 ft) and the Enchanted Forest Nordic ski area.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on Carson NF land along NM 578 in the upper Red River canyon below the road's lower junction. Junebug Campground and Fawn Lakes Campground (both USFS, fee sites) sit nearby on NM 578 with developed loops, vault toilets, and seasonal water. Goat Hill and Columbine Campgrounds anchor the lower stretches of the canyon between Questa and Red River.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Check Carson NF road-status before driving. Closures for repairs have happened multiple times in the past five years; the Questa Ranger District (575-586-0520) confirms current status.
  • The road is one-lane in stretches. Use the switchbacks as passing zones and yield to descending vehicles.
  • Snow closes the road from November to May. Expect ice on shaded corners early and late in the open season.
  • Carry a tow strap and traction boards. Recovery distances are short, but a rig stuck at a hairpin blocks the entire road.
  • Do not attempt with trailers or oversized rigs. The switchback radii are tight.
  • Cell service is unreliable. Carry an offline map.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Old Red River Pass (Forest Road 488)?
Old Red River Pass (Forest Road 488) is rated moderate. The route runs 3.2 miles with 1,093 feet of elevation gain.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Old Red River Pass (Forest Road 488)?
High-clearance 4WD. The road is steep, narrow, and often single-lane through the switchbacks; mid-size SUVs and trucks fit comfortably, but larger rigs may struggle to pass at the hairpins.
When is the best time to visit Old Red River Pass (Forest Road 488)?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Is there cell service at Old Red River Pass (Forest Road 488)?
Spotty. Service drops once you leave the canyon floor and returns near the summit on some networks.