Quebradas Back Country Byway Overview

Socorro Mountain Sunset (NM) [1]

A colorful romp just off Interstate 25, the Quebradas Back Country Byway carves its route through 24 miles of unpaved wilderness in southern New Mexico. With the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to the north and the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to the south, the byway encompasses an area strewn with many of the Southwest’s classic vistas: rocky canyons, high sagebrush-covered ridges, and clear desert sunsets.

About Halfway on the Quebradas Back Country Byway (NM) [2]

True to its name, the Quebradas, Spanish for "broken," takes an adventurous course off the beaten path into the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert. Although high-clearance vehicles are recommended, the roads are annually maintained, so passenger cars should be able to make the trip in dry weather. Take time to bask in the area’s untamed beauty from the comfort of your car or venture outside and indulge your love for the outdoors.

Amado Spring (NM) [3]

For a more intimate experience, strap on your backpack or hop on your bike and navigate your way through a sea of rolling hills spotted with sand sage and creosote scrub. Hike along escarpments and canyons enveloped in a sea of color, from vivid yellow ochre to buff-colored ridges of sandstone. If you’re staying overnight, be sure to bring in your own water, food, shovel, and blankets, as there are no formal campgrounds.

Look for a variety of wildlife as you explore the area, especially during the cooler parts of the day. Mule deer, jackrabbits, coyotes, bobcats, doves, quails, and foxes frequent the springs and arroyos while hawks, ravens, and a number of songbirds can be seen amongst the sparse vegetation. During the winter months, keep an eye out for geese and cranes over the Rio Grande waterway.

A nearly endless expanse of arroyos, box canyons, and desert vegetation, the Quebradas Back Country Byway traverses some of New Mexico’s finest vistas.