Backpacking in New Mexico offers the chance to explore breathtaking natural landscapes, from vast deserts and towering mountains to deep canyons and ancient Native American ruins in the “Land of Enchantment.”
In this guide, we’ll share essential tips and the TOP 5 multi-day trails to tackle in New Mexico. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker seeking a new challenge or a beginner eager to immerse yourself in the great outdoors, the Land of Enchantment has something for every adventurer.
Interested? Let’s get started.
Here are the best multi-day backpacking trails in New Mexico:
Length: 30.5 mi / 49 km
Type: Point to point
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 5147 ft / 1569 m
Location: Lincoln National Forest
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 12 200 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
Offering stunning vistas through forested areas, the challenging 30.5-mile Rim Trail (T105) near Mayhill, New Mexico is a rewarding point-to-point backpacking route best tackled May through November, with its well-maintained paths giving way to grueling uphill and downhill stretches that test endurance, especially between sections 2 and 3, before hikers can indulge in a celebratory pizza in Timberon after completing the strenuous multi-day journey.
sarowen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via flickr
Length: 30.1 mi / 48.4 km
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 6719 ft / 2048 m
Location: Pecos Wilderness
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 12 700 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The challenging 30.1-mile loop trail near Tererro, New Mexico provides a secluded backpacking, birding, and camping experience best enjoyed from May through September, with well-marked but faint trails leading to the opportunity for class 2 scrambling to summit peaks, stunning aspen views, and reliable water sources along the route.
Photo by Laurie Drake
Length: 14.1 mi / 22.7 km
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2982 ft / m
Location: Pecos Wilderness
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 7300 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The challenging 14.1-mile out-and-back trail near Tererro, New Mexico is a popular route for backpacking, camping, and fishing from April through October, featuring a long wooded walk with strenuous switchbacks leading to the pristine alpine beauty of Lake Katherine, set in a classic cirque with views of Santa Fe Baldy and potential bighorn sheep sightings, along with reliable water sources ideal for an overnight backpacking trip.
Photo by EvanCurtis
Length: 35.5 mi / 57 km
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 7723 ft / 2354 m
Location: Pecos Wilderness
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 15 100 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The challenging 35.5-mile loop near Tererro, New Mexico is a secluded backpacking and camping journey best undertaken June through September, rewarding efforts with extraordinary Skyline views and the iconic summit of Pecos Baldy, but requiring navigating thick downfall and cow traffic on the lower sections of the trail to access the limited but scenic campsites near Beatty’s Flats.
Alan Stark, CC BY-SA 2.0, via flickr
Length: 40.1 mi / 64.5 km
Type: Point to point
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 990 ft / 302 m
Location: Gila Wilderness
Estimated Hiking Calorie Burn: 15 300 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The difficult 40.1-mile point-to-point trail near Reserve, New Mexico goes through pretty canyons, meadows, and shady areas of the amazing Gila wilderness. It is great for backpacking, bird watching, and camping all year. Along the way, you may see wildlife and have to cross rivers and go around beaver dams, so you need to know how to follow the trail. It is a challenging but memorable multi-day trip in a special place.
New Mexico has variable weather due to its deserts and mountains. Summers are hot while winters are cold as seasons change significantly. Remember weather details depend on location within the state:
Before making your gear selection, take a look at the weather statistics for New Mexico (Santa Fe):
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 41 | 47 | 55 | 63 | 72 | 81 | 82 | 80 | 74 | 63 | 50 | 41 |
| Low °F | 19 | 23 | 28 | 34 | 42 | 51 | 55 | 55 | 47 | 37 | 26 | 19 |
| Rain/Snow (D*) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Not sure if New Mexico is right for you?
Don’t forget to check out our backpacking guides for Colorado and Utah.
Campfires are permitted while backpacking in many areas of New Mexico, but there are important guidelines to follow. In National Forests and BLM lands, campfires typically require obtaining a free permit from the ranger station, and may be prohibited during dry conditions when fire risk is high. Within National Parks like Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands, fires are restricted to designated grills and rings only – no ground fires allowed. Certain wilderness areas and state parks may prohibit campfires year-round to preserve the pristine landscape. Where campfires are allowed, it’s crucial to use existing fire rings when available, gather only dead and down wood, keep the fire small, and fully extinguish it before leaving. Portable camp stoves are a great low-impact alternative for cooking meals. By securing permits, adhering to area-specific regulations, practicing leave no trace fire principles, and exercising caution, you can enjoy campfires responsibly during your backpacking adventures in New Mexico’s immense wilderness areas. But always confirm requirements beforehand to follow guidelines protecting the state’s fragile natural habitats.
When encountering wildlife in New Mexico’s backcountry, stay calm, keep your distance, and never approach or feed the animals. Talk loudly or sing to alert bears, mountain lions, and other large mammals to your presence and avoid surprising them. Give them a clear escape route. If necessary, slowly back away without turning your back. Review best practices for using bear spray safely and effectively if you choose to carry it. Report aggressive animals to rangers.
Venture into New Mexico’s majestic wilderness for an adventurous backpacking trip immersed in nature, but be sure to plan and prepare. Acquire a detailed trail map before following winding canyon and mesa paths, and inform others of your intended route. Pack brightly colored clothing, first-aid supplies, flashlights, whistles and extra water to stay safe in the arid climate. Watch your footing hiking over rocky desert terrain. Make noise to avoid surprising bears, mountain lions or rattlesnakes. Stay hydrated and focused to fully embrace New Mexico’s natural splendor while keeping safety a priority. With adequate precautions taken, you can revel in the beauty of New Mexico’s backcountry. Stay vigilant, be ready for the unexpected, and remember prudent planning prevents poor performance on a New Mexico backpacking adventure.
