Guadalupe Back Country Byway

State: New Mexico
Length: 30.0 mi / 48.3 km
Time to Allow: 90 minutes to drive or a day to enjoy the byway.

The Guadalupe Back Country Byway follows NM-137 for 30 miles through the Chihuahuan Desert, the Guadalupe Escarpment, and Lincoln National Forest. A varied landscape thrives here; from limestone outcroppings to thick pine forest stands to underground caves.

Recreation abounds within these public lands. Go hiking, backpacking, mountain biking or horseback riding along one of many trails. Interact with animals either by watching wildlife or by hunting. Some of the animals that make their homes here include deer, pronghorn antelope, foxes, and a wide range of birds. If you're feeling extra adventurous, go caving and explore the Carlsbad Caverns that lie beneath the surface.

Stories

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  Desert Beauty and Below on the Guadalupe Back Country Byway

  Oct 15, 2008

  Stretching 30 miles across the Chihuahuan Desert, the Guadalupe Escarpment, and the Lincoln National Forest, the Guadalupe Back Country Byway offers a sense of liberation with clear skies speckled with fluffy white clouds and the fresh smell of creosote bushes. Although there are over 28,000 oil and gas-producing wells throughout the region, the Bureau of Land Management seeks above all to maintain a sense of balance with an increased focus on the area’s abundant natural beauty, which means you’ll still find plenty of activities and adventures awaiting you on your journey.