The American Southwest is home to some of the most spectacular Jeep trails you’ve never heard of.
This massive region, stretching from New Mexico to California, offers picturesque views and tons of wild spaces. Across the desert, rugged terrain and rock formations make overlanding a blast.
Today, we’re going out into the backcountry, away from the famous spots, to explore Jeeping in the Southwest.
Let’s roll!
Get Off the Beaten Path on Spectacular Southwest Jeep Trails
Exploring trails by Jeep in the Southwest is one of life’s great pleasures. While they’re not the most famous spots, that’s part of their charm. You won’t have backups lasting hours just to take on an obstacle. And with the BLM restricting access to more and more public lands, heading off the beaten path keeps getting more challenging.
Most people recognize this region as stretching from New Mexico to California, but it’s much bigger. In fact, it includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, and Nevada. Characterized by dry, arid deserts and incredible rock formations, it’s ideal for overlanding and obstacle crawling.
It should come as no surprise that there are many tracks to follow with all this open land. With some of the most iconic views and challenging climbs, you’ll love Jeeping in the American Southwest.
We’ve gathered ten standouts from the hundreds of routes available to share with you. Get your bucket list ready because we’re not wasting any time!
#1 Broken Arrow, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona, offers some of the best food and views in the mountains north of Phoenix. Just a few hours from the city’s blistering heat, you’ll discover unmatched vistas and challenging climbs.
Broken Arrow is a relatively short trek of 3.9 miles, featuring slick rock and sheer red stone walls. During the spring and fall, drivers head out to explore the grippy surfaces and off-camber ditches. Steep ups and butt-clenching downs make this an unforgettable experience. You’ll have plenty of chances to flex your driving skills on tight turns next to gigantic drops.
The most well-known obstacle, Devil’s Staircase, provides tough terrain and precarious descents. Follow the main track down the middle of the trail for an easier time. Even though this is rated moderate, parts are downright tricky. When heading out, you’ll slip down ledges, even with full brakes applied.
You’ll want high-ground clearance on most of the trek, and stock setups usually bottom out in sections.
#2 Cedro Peak, New Mexico
Deep in the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, our next entry will test all your skills. Cedro Peak is a gorgeous and varied Southwest Jeep trail that you must try. With many chances for added adventure, it’s a bucket list route.
This nearly 8,000-foot peak dominates the landscape just a few minutes from Albuquerque. This trek covers roughly nine miles and climbs about 1,000 feet around the base. It usually takes approximately two hours to complete, and most drivers rate it as easy.
That said, it’s also known for the extra mud pits and more challenging obstacles you can choose to complete.
Depending on the weather, it can be pretty rutted out, which adds some difficulty for the unprepared. You’ll find plenty of dispersed camping areas nearby if you want to stick around.
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#3 Engineer Pass, Colorado
The remnants of a historical wagon toll road, Engineer Pass in Colorado, has a history. Signs of the state’s mining past are all along the route. High up in the Uncompahgre National Forest, this Jeep Badge of Honor trail is one of the Southwest’s hidden gems.
Built by Otto Mears in the late 1870s, this track follows the same one that stagecoaches navigated almost 150 years ago. At just around 20.4 miles, there’s a lot of climbing and descending packed in.
You usually don’t have to be an expert driver to enjoy the obstacles. But in wet weather, all that changes. It can be slippery and treacherous in the wrong conditions, so novices beware. The east side of the pass is very steep, with narrow and rocky spots that push your skills to the limit. You’ll want 4-wheel drive, low-range gearing, and lots of ground clearance for this portion.
Part of the iconic Alpine Loop, there are plenty of other routes to explore from the trailheads here. Plan to spend some time in this region. You won’t be sorry.
#4 Fins and Things, Utah
It wouldn’t be a list of Jeep trails in the Southwest without a few from Moab, Utah. Arguably one of the most popular destinations for overland vehicle exploration, you’ll find tons of routes. And while some aren’t accessible currently due to some BLM shenanigans, Fins and Things is!
Taking its name from the large, protruding rock formations made by epic winds millions of years ago, it’s a classic. Sandstone is notoriously grippy when dry, almost like sandpaper, but when wet, look out. It’s slick rock that’ll send your tires skidding and sliding. At around 10 miles, the trek offers plenty of entry-level scenic drives with some technical and steep ascents.
With the La Sal Mountains looming in the distance, the domes of Sand Flats Recreation Area are only for daytime use. And even though many paths require knowledge of where to go, this one is marked with arrows.
Don’t let the more manageable bits lull you to sleep. There are plenty of gnarly climbs tucked in there, too. In fact, this is a Jeep Badge of Honor trail for that reason. Stay alert and make sure to log your completed attempt in their app.
#5 Goose Lake Trail, New Mexico
We’re headed back to New Mexico for the next Jeep trail on our list of the best in the Southwest. Located a short drive from the outdoor haven of Taos, Goose Lake Trail offers something unique. The state’s most scenic high-altitude lake awaits at the end of the road.
The first few miles offer a challenge, climbing around 3,000 feet in just 7.3 miles. A narrow roadway is difficult to navigate with wider vehicles. Beyond that, several water crossings and a shelf traverse can give newbies some trouble. All you really need is high clearance and some guts to make the most of this scenic track.
We should note that this trail’s difficulty increases when wet. Before heading out, check local conditions to make sure you’re prepared.
When you reach the end, there’s a large parking lot. Take a short walk for some lakeside photos. Nearby Red River, New Mexico, is an excellent base camp offering amenities like yoga studios and bars.
Take your home with you! 5 RV Trailers That Can Be Towed With A Jeep
#6 Imogene Pass, Colorado
Imogene Pass is a short drive from Telluride, Colorado, a skiing hotspot. This Jeep Badge of Honor trail is one of the Southwest’s historical highlights. During the open season, from May to November, drivers are welcome on this private track.
The state’s mining history is on full display as you pass by Tomboy Townsite, a ghost town with a fascinating story. Gold mines pock the hills where snow tunnels were once the only way to travel in winter. As rugged as the folks living here year-round were, the road is more so.
Over 12 miles, this tough and rocky route is narrow and rutted out. You’ll need high clearance and low gearing to have a good experience on this one. Frequently, there’s snow starting as early as July, so check trail conditions before you go.
Plenty of folks take a stab at this popular location, the second-highest drivable pass in the region. All the vehicles can make it feel less sketchy than it is. However, respect the difficult rating to avoid damaging your ride.
#7 Rocky Gap, Nevada
Nevada’s Rocky Gap is among the Southwest’s most demanding Jeep Badge of Honor trails. Located in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the 8.2 miles of land feature difficult obstacles. While most of the route is maintained, several sections are challenging to even the saltiest dogs.
A former pioneer trail just outside of Las Vegas, this is one of the best ways to escape when things get hot down in the valley. You’ll need patience and high clearance to make it to the end.
The western part has several rocky washes with two-foot boulders and scree. The eastern section consists of shelf ledges, and it’s all but impassable in winter.
You’ll probably need a lift and large off-road tires to claim this one. Come prepared for a challenge. Faint of heart need not apply.
#8 Schnebly Hill Trail, Arizona
High in the Coconino National Forest, Schnebly Hill Trail follows the old road from Sedona to I-17 south of Munds Park. Since the 1800s, local ranchers used it to transport cattle to greener pastures.
Generally considered easy, this track runs 11.1 miles from the valley floor to Schnebly Hill Vista. Surrounded by red rock buttes, it offers excellent views of the Mogollon Rim. Around four miles in, it reaches Merry-Go-Round Rock, which offers an ideal stopping point.
Since the trails are mostly maintained, Jeep Badge of Honor participants in the Southwest find it easy to bag. But the sights are worth the struggle of some steep vertical drops and loose, rocky sections.
Dig into more of Arizona’s trails with the Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails.
#9 Top of the World, Utah
Back to Moab, Utah, for our next entry with another Jeep Badge of Honor trail in the Southwest. Many consider it an entry-level experience since it doesn’t offer significant obstacles to most drivers. The biggest draw for Top of the World is the views, and there are plenty of them. In fact, when you reach the end, a huge cliff provides a panoramic look at the valley below.
You won’t want to take your sedan out on this 10.6-mile experience. It’s best suited for SUVs and other high-clearance vehicles. Most of the way to the viewpoint is a country road, but beyond that, it gets challenging.
Loose rock and shelf climbs provide adequate obstacles for most drivers to flex their off-roading muscles on. Ultimately, you’ll overlook Fisher Valley and Onion Creek with a backdrop of the La Sal Mountains.
#10 Wheeler Pass, Nevada
Wheeler Pass, the final item on our list of iconic Jeep trials in the Southwest, is a year-round playground. A longer trek at 26 miles offers a half-day drive through the Spring Mountains via the pass. In the 1800s, it was the primary route connecting the Pahrump Valley to Indian Springs.
This route starts at Cold Creek and climbs more than 2,000 feet over the course of the road. It’s rough and rocky, but there aren’t many obstacles. However, you’ll need high clearance for a comfortable, damage-free ride. A creek also washes out parts of the road at times.
While it’s usually closed from October to June due to snow, it’s a two-season trail that almost anyone can handle. Wild horses and historic charcoal kilns are just some of the local highlights along the track. Topping out at just over 8,000 feet above sea level, you’ll appreciate the break from the baking valley floor below.
The Southwest’s Jeep Trail Won’t Leave You Hanging!
Jeeping in the Southwest is exciting because of the riches found in the hills and mountains. With so many to choose from, narrowing down the top trails to explore is hard. But we think we’ve got some of the best hidden gems in the region here on our list. If you’re heading out on an overland adventure, add at least one or two to your journey!
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