Elephant Rock Trail System

Elephant Rock OHV Area is a network of approximately 25-35 miles of designated OHV routes managed by the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest in Taos County, New Mexico, north of the village of Red River near the Colorado state line. The routes follow old mining roads and exploration tracks cut during the 20th-century molybdenum and gold mining activity in the Red River Valley: history visible in the roads themselves, which cut across mine tailings, past collapsed shaft structures, and through terrain shaped as much by industrial extraction as by natural geology. Elevations range from 8,400 to 10,300 feet across a compressed landscape of alpine meadow, spruce-fir forest, and rocky tundra. The system is designated for off-highway motorcycles and dirt bikes only, trails are too narrow and too technically demanding for ATVs or UTVs, and the designation is enforced. Access is north of NM-38 via roads near Fawn Lakes Campground. No day-use fee; National Forest system. Primitive camping is available at Fawn Lakes and dispersed throughout the surrounding forest. The Questa Ranger District office (575-586-0520) has current conditions. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common above 9,000 feet. Plan rides accordingly.