Guide to the Quebradas Back Country Byway
- Lisa and Scott
- Jan 8, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 11, 2023
Your guide to this country road in central New Mexico. 24 miles of unpaved road with opportunities for dispersed camping (BLM), fossil hunting, pictographs, and spectacular views.
The Quebradas Back Country Byway will always hold a special place in my heart- it was the first place we camped in our very first rooftop tent! That was a Tepui LowPro on our Subaru Forester. On that trip we were definitely bitten by the overlanding/dispersed camping bug. We now have a new vehicle, new tent, lots of new gear, but still have a tremendous love of this beautiful area of New Mexico.
In this guide we'll talk about what the Quebradas Back Country Byway is, how to get there, and some of the things you can see and do.
1. What is the Quebradas Back Country Byway?
The Quebradas Back Country Byway is located in the jurisdiction of the Soccoro field office of the BLM. "Quebradas" is Spanish for "the breaks," referring to the colorful rock escarpments and narrow box canyons of the area. This annually maintained dirt road takes you through 24 miles of the northern tip of the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion, the largest and most diverse desert in North America, stretching from this area south to Mexico City.
The road is bordered to the east by the Sierra de las Canas Wilderness Study Area, and the Rio Grande a little over 5 miles to the west. Two wildlife refuges bookend Quebradas-- Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to the north, and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to the south. These areas deserve their own exploration, especially Bosque del Apache-- famous for the dramatic wintertime migration of sandhill cranes, Canadian geese, and snow geese.
2. How to get to Quebradas
From I-25 just a few miles north of Soccoro, take the Escondida exit (exit 152) and follow the east frontage road north to Escondido Lake. Head east past Escondido lake and crossing over the Rio Grande. At Pueblito, turn right and head south for about a mile to the beginning of the byway. Turn left and go east, looking for the byway signs and information.
3. What to do in Quebradas
What's my favorite thing to do when I'm out in nature, miles away from other people? RELAX! I love to take time to sit, look at the views, and feel the stress start to melt away.
As you drive on the Byway, you'll notice some numbered signs on the side of the road. These 10 stops correspond to A Geologic Guide to the Quebradas Back Country Byway put out by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, which you can find here. Download or print this guide so you can refer to it on your trip.
There are lots of canyons to explore in the area. On the lower Arroyo del Tajo trail (west of the byway) you can even find pictographs!
Last year we decided to bring our telescope with us, and we got some great views of the moon before clouds rolled in.
Bring your bike, bocce balls, a good book, but don't forget the water! There's little to no shade here and it can get very hot. We tend to come here in the spring, and head up to the mountains in the hotter months.
Here are some additional links and documents you can check out:
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