You’re probably familiar with several of New Mexico’s state parks and national forests. But opportunities for outdoor fun don’t stop there. Recreation and wilderness areas are spread throughout the Land of Enchantment and there’s a good chance you haven’t strayed off the beaten path for long enough to explore them all. So next time you’re planning to go hiking, biking, or off-roading, check out these 9 incredible places.

1. Tortugas Mountain Recreation Area (Las Cruces)

Unless you’re a Las Cruces local, you’re probably unfamiliar with this recreation area that surrounds Tortugas Mountain – also called "A" Mountain because of the Aggies logo decorating its flank. This is a great place for mountain biking and hiking across a stark but beautiful landscape. Here is a map.

2. Simon Canyon (near Turley)

Popular activities in the 3900-acre expanse of Simon Canyon include hiking and fishing. The land here is untamed and consists of a sandstone canyon, with the San Juan River curving through it. Here is a map.

3. Black River Recreation Area (Carlsbad)

Head to the Cottonwood Day Use Area to explore this lovely spot, which serves as an oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hiking, birding, and even fishing, are all permitted in this 1200-acre recreation area. Click and scroll down for a map.

4. Rio Chama Canyon Wilderness (near Abiquiu)

The most popular way to explore the Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River as it slices through a canyon, is by signing up with one of the area’s white water rafting outfitters. However, if you prefer to stay on dry land, head to Chavez Canyon, a red rock slot canyon that is breathtaking. It’s located near Monastery of Christ in the Desert off Forest Road 151. Here is a map.

5. Aldo Leopold Wilderness Area (near Hillsboro)

This wilderness area is a relatively unknown destination, although it is the third biggest in New Mexico at more than 200,000 acres! If you want a taste of wilderness, without committing to a serious backcountry excursion, try the moderate, 9.4 mile (round trip) climb up Hillsboro Peak. This day hike takes you into the Black Range. Here is a map. It shows both the peak and Emory Pass, where the trailhead begins.

6. White Ridge/Mesa Bike Trails (Rio Rancho)

Although this area is ideal for biking, you can also hike - or, in one part, horseback ride - through landscapes that shift from vivid red to white. This place is almost otherworldly. Here is a map.

7. Mescalero Sand Dunes OHV Area (Caprock)

Some of the sand dunes here rise up to 90 feet high! If you have an all-terrain vehicle, you’ll want to see this spot for yourself. Here is a map.

8. San Lorenzo Canyon (near Socorro)

San Lorenzo Canyon is a spectacular locale filled with strangely shaped red rocks but very few people. This is a hiking destination you’ll want to add to your bucket list. Here is a map.

9. Trestle Recreation Area (Cloudcroft)

This is a great jumping off point for several hikes through the Lincoln National Forest such as the Cloud-climbing Trestle Trail that leads to an abandoned railroad bridge in Mexican Canyon. The Trestle Recreation Area is one of the better-known spots featured in this article, but for good reason - it's so pretty. Here is a map.

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