Enchanted Circle Backcountry, Moderate 4x4 trail in Taos, NM
    Moderate
    Overlanding

    Enchanted Circle Backcountry

    Taos, NM•Southwest

    Enchanted Circle Backcountry is a moderate 84+ miles off-road trail near Taos, NM, best run June - October. The gear list marks All-terrain tires as required, and 4WD capability as recommended. A stock high-clearance 4x4 can run it; check the gear list before you go.

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    Forest roads branching off the 84-mile Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway climb into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos, New Mexico. Wheeler Peak towers over aspen-filled valleys, abandoned mining towns, and a landscape where Spanish, Native American, and Anglo cultures have blended for centuries.

    Fun Facts

    #1

    Wheeler Peak at 13,167 feet is New Mexico's highest point.

    #2

    The Enchanted Circle passes through historic mining towns from the 1800s gold rush.

    #3

    Taos Pueblo has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.

    Length
    84+ miles
    Elevation
    6,500 - 12,000 ft
    Best Season
    June - October
    Permit
    Not Required
    Wheeler Peak viewsSangre de CristosMining ghost townsAspen forestsTaos culture

    🛞 Tires

    required
    All-terrain tires

    ⚙️ Drivetrain

    recommended
    4WD capability

    Closest campgrounds to Enchanted Circle Backcountry:

    Straight-line distance. Check the map for drive time.

    Where to Camp

    6 campgrounds within 30 miles of this trail

    New Mexico|2 mi|4 min
    $$
    4 sites
    Season: Seasonal
    New Mexico|9 mi|16 min
    $$
    27 sites
    Season: Seasonal
    Red River, New Mexico|9 mi|16 min
    29 sites
    Season: All Year
    Eagle Nest, New Mexico|10 mi|16 min
    19 sites
    Season: All Year
    Red River, New Mexico|10 mi|16 min
    21 sites

    GPS Coordinates

    36.5712, -105.4234

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    Map of Taos, NM

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