Home > New Mexico > Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock Trails

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Trail Map

Other Names

Carson National Forest, Questa Ranger District, Cabresto Canyon, Sawmill Mountain, Greenie Peak

Last Known Status

Closed For Season

This part of the Carson National Forest offers about ten miles of marked trails that form three inner loops. The trails are labeled as single track on the Forest Service map but are mostly old, rocky fire and mining roads.

There is an additional trail that heads north (195) toward Cabresto Lake but is rated as more difficult due to some steep and rugged sections. From Cabresto Lake riders can take the forest service roads east toward Greenie Peak.

The main staging area is located north off Hwy 38 near the water treatment plant but parking is limited. Camping can be found at nearby Fawn Lakes and Elephant Rock campgrounds.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	NM OHV Permit
Dates Open	May 1 through December 31
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	Yes	Residents of any state without an OHV registration program must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AK, AL, FL, GA, HI, IL, KS, KY, MS, NC, NE, OK, SC, SD, TN, VA, WV)
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (96 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required
Maximum Vehicle Width
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted
ATVs	Prohibited
UTV & SXS	Prohibited
SUVs & Jeeps (registered)	Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Prohibited
2 Stroke Engines	No Restriction
Camping	Some Areas	(camp in developed sites only)
Campfires	Some Areas	(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night Riding	Unknown
Trail Blazing	Prohibited	stay on trails
Rule Enforcement

TERRAIN

Approx Size	9,600 acres (15 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	35
Climate Type	Forest
Elevation	8400 to 10300 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose Dirt	Little
Hard Pack	Mostly
Sand	None
Mud	Little
Dust	Little
Rocks	Some
Trees	All
Steep Hills	Some
Small Jumps	None
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Some
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	All
Roads	None
Intersections	Some
Rider Traffic	Few
Hazards	Few	(hazards assumed marked but use caution)
Novice	Little
Amateur	Mostly
Expert	Some

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	National Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	1-5 Miles (E)	J Griffin Co (575) 754-6348
Diesel	Red River, NM
Water	On Site
RV Hookup	1-5 Miles (E)	Red River RV Park (575) 754-6187
RV Disposal	1-5 Miles (E)	Red River RV Park (575) 754-6187
Campground	On Site	Elephant Rock Campground (575) 586-0520
Conv Store	1-5 Miles (E)	Der Market Food Store (575) 754-2974

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	Yes Tent: $22.00 RV: $22.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $11.00 Camp fee for Elephant Rock and Fawn Lakes.

RATINGS

Our Rating	Good
Recommended Stay	Full Day
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Red River, NM

Trail Map

From: Taos, NM
1) Take NM-522 North about 37 miles
2) Turn right (east) onto NM-38, continue about 10 miles
3) Continue east past Fawn Lakes Campground .3 miles
4) Look for dirt road on the left (north), continue straight about .25 miles toward staging area.

Note: Trailhead is east of Fawn Lakes Campground next to water treatment plant.