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Elephant Rock Trails

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Other Names

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

Last Known StatusOpen

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 RequiredYesNM OHV Permit
Dates OpenMay 1 through December 31
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedYesResidents 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 ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle Width
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermitted
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsProhibited
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSProhibited
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Prohibited
2 Stroke EnginesNo Restriction
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingSome Areas(camp in developed sites only)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingUnknown
Trail BlazingProhibitedstay on designated trails
Rule Enforcement
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TERRAIN

Approx Size9,600 acres (15 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail35
Climate TypeForest
Elevation8400 to 10300 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has mostly hard pack terrain.Mostly
SandThis trail has no sandy areas.None
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has little dust on typical days.Little
RocksThis trail has some rocks.Some
TreesThe trail has almost all trees.All
Steep HillsThis trail has some steep hills.Some
Small JumpsThis trail has no small jumps.None
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has some berms.Some
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis national forest has almost all single track trails.All
RoadsThis national forest has no roads.None
IntersectionsThis trail has some intersections.Some
Rider TrafficThe national forest has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards assumed marked but use caution)
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has little beginner terrain.Little
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has some expert terrain.Some

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline1-5 Miles (E)J Griffin Co (575) 754-6348
Diesel DieselRed River, NM
Potable Water WaterOn Site
RV Hookups RV Hookup1-5 Miles (E)Red River RV Park (575) 754-6187
RV Dump Station RV Disposal1-5 Miles (E)Red River RV Park (575) 754-6187
Primitive Camping CampgroundOn SiteElephant Rock Campground (575) 586-0520
Convenience Store Conv Store1-5 Miles (E)Der Market Food Store  (575) 754-2974

FEES & PASSES

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

RATINGS

Our RatingRatingGood
Recommended StayFull Day
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityRed River, NM
Go Back To New Mexico List
Trail MapGo To 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.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoCarson National Forest - Questa Ranger District
P.O. Box 110
Questa, NM 87556
(575) 586-0520
mailroom_r3_carson@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov
Contact InfoNew Mexico Game And Fish
1 Wildlife Way
Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 476-8000
(888) 248-6866
ispa@state.nm.us
www.wildlife.state.nm.us

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Elephant Rock Trail Photo

Elephant Rock Trails

Photo Submitted 7/9/2020 (Thanks!)

Elephant Rock Trail Photo

Elephant Rock Trails

Photo Submitted 7/9/2020 (Thanks!)

Elephant Rock Trail Photo

Elephant Rock Trails

Photo Submitted 7/9/2020 (Thanks!)

Elephant Rock Trail Photo

Elephant Rock Trails

Photo Submitted 8/18/2019 (Thanks!)

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