Guides/Overland routes/New Mexico
Overland route24 midifficulty: easy

Quebradas Back Country Byway

RegionNew MexicoAgencyBureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Quebradas Back Country Byway — overland route near Socorro, New Mexico, New Mexico
Photo by Patrick Alexander via Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
24mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. The road is unpaved native soil — passable to passenger cars in dry conditions but impassable after heavy rain.
Best months
Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr
Cell coverage
Spotty
Take action
Plan in Epic PlansOpen in Google MapsOfficial site

The Quebradas Back Country Byway is a 24-mile unpaved county road traversing colorful badlands east of Socorro, New Mexico, in the Rio Grande Valley between two National Wildlife Refuges (Sevilleta to the north, Bosque del Apache to the south). The byway crosses rolling bench lands above the Rio Grande floodplain and rugged ridges of alternating bands of red and yellow sandstone, red and purple shale, and white to gray limestone, with near-vertical multicolored cliffs and twisted badlands.

The road is unpaved native soil, passable to passenger cars in dry conditions but impassable after heavy rain. There are no facilities along the byway. Socorro, six miles away, is the closest fuel and supply.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Mud. The clay-and-soil surface turns impassable after rain. Vehicles get stranded.
  • Heat. Summer temperatures top 95°F.
  • Flash flooding. Box canyons fill quickly during summer monsoon storms.
  • No facilities. No water, restrooms, or fuel along the byway.
  • Cell coverage. Spotty.
  • Wildlife. Pronghorn, mule deer, and rattlesnakes in the area.
  • Cultural sites. Petroglyphs and other archaeological resources are protected.

Location

24 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 34.060, -106.780

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyBureau of Land Management
Nearest townSocorro, New Mexico
Websitewww.blm.gov/visit/quebradas-backcountry-byway
ClosedJul, Aug
Approx. location34.060, -106.780

Getting there

Directions

Northern access (from Socorro). From I-25, take the Escondida exit. Follow NM-408 north toward Escondida Ln for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Pueblitos Rd, drive 1 mile, then slight right onto Bosquecito Rd. The byway begins about a mile south.

Southern access. From San Antonio, NM, drive 11 miles east on US-380. Turn north on County Road A-129; the byway runs north 24 miles back to Escondida.

Approximate midpoint coordinates: 34.060° N, -106.780° W.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway sits in Socorro County in central New Mexico, between Interstate 25 and the Manzano Mountains. Socorro on I-25 is the regional service hub. The route runs east of the Rio Grande through Bureau of Land Management land used historically for ranching. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to the south is one of the most-visited birding destinations in North America during the winter sandhill crane migration.

Trail Overview

The byway is a continuous 24-mile route, drivable from either north or south. From the south end at US-380 east of San Antonio, the road runs north through the Quebradas (Spanish for "breaks" or "ravines"), with multicolored cliff bands visible on both sides. The northern access connects to NM-408 at Escondida, just off I-25 north of Socorro. The road's character is steady — wide unpaved native soil — but the surface turns to slick clay quickly after rain.

Driving the byway without stops takes about an hour. Most travelers spend two or three hours with photography stops at the cliff bands, narrow box canyons, and overlooks of the Rio Grande corridor.

Points of Interest

  • Multicolored cliffs. Red, yellow, white, and purple sedimentary bands exposed in cliff faces.
  • Box canyons. Narrow drainages cutting through the badlands. Some accessible on foot from the road.
  • Rio Grande floodplain views. From the higher benches, panoramic views into the river valley.
  • Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Adjacent to the north.
  • Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Six miles south of the byway via US-380. Famous for winter sandhill crane viewing.
  • Rockhounding. The badlands hold agate, jasper, and petrified wood. Casual collection allowed under BLM rules.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the BLM portion of the byway with the standard 14-day stay limit. There are no developed campgrounds. Socorro has commercial RV parks and lodging. Bosque del Apache NWR has no camping but offers full-day visitor programs.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Visit fall or spring. Summer temperatures top 95°F; July-August monsoon storms wash out sections.
  • Check weather before driving. The road turns slick within minutes of rain.
  • Carry water; there are no facilities on the byway.
  • Cell service is spotty. Carry an offline map.
  • Top off fuel in Socorro before driving.
  • Pet leash rule applies on BLM land.
  • Stay on the road. Off-road driving damages the badlands' fragile soils.
  • Watch for wildlife: pronghorn, mule deer, golden eagles.
  • Contact the BLM Socorro Field Office at 575-835-0412 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Quebradas Back Country Byway?
Quebradas Back Country Byway is rated easy. The route runs 24 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Quebradas Back Country Byway?
High-clearance vehicle. The road is unpaved native soil — passable to passenger cars in dry conditions but impassable after heavy rain.
When is the best time to visit Quebradas Back Country Byway?
The best months are Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr. Avoid Jul, Aug.
Is there cell service at Quebradas Back Country Byway?
Spotty