Hackberry Lake OHV

Hackberry Lake is a big, open desert riding area on BLM land in Eddy County, about 20 miles northeast of Carlsbad. The BLM describes more than 55,000 acres of rolling, stabilized dune land and cliffs, with trails that wind through small draws and along the bottoms of deep arroyos. The surface changes a lot: shallow rocky, loamy soil on the low hills, deeper alluvial soil with sandy patches elsewhere, and plenty of turns and steep hill climbs. A separate sand dune complex sits a few miles farther east. RiderPlanet lists more than 100 miles of trail, from hard-packed and rocky two-track to fast singletrack, and rates the area as mostly suited to intermediate riders with some beginner and expert terrain. It also goes by "99 Race Track Trails" and the Hackberry Lake Trail System.

The area hosts the Carlsbad 100 Desert Race, a competitive motorcycle event run by the Desert Rough Riders club that covers more than 44 miles of public land.

Getting there

The BLM's directions for the most commonly used parking area: from Carlsbad, take US 62/180, turn north on NM 360, and go about 5.7 miles. Turn east on CR 222 (Shugart Road) and follow it 1.8 miles; the staging area is north of the road and visible from it. It is a large gravel lot with a vault toilet, an information kiosk, and picnic sites with shade shelters, tables, and fire pits, and it works for large groups. The dunes have their own parking area with a similar set of facilities, but the two areas have no direct OHV connection, so plan to trailer or drive between them. Carlsbad, roughly 28 miles away, is the nearest place for food and gas.

Fees, permits, and rules

The BLM lists no fee for riding or camping, and stays are limited to 7 days. New Mexico requires an OHV permit on public land, and RiderPlanet says nonresidents from states without their own OHV program must buy a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. A spark arrestor is required and RiderPlanet lists a 96 dB noise limit. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Pets must be leashed. Competitive events need a BLM Special Recreation Use Permit.

Private land and active oil and gas, grazing, mining, and utility operations are mixed in with the public land, so watch for trucks and heavy equipment on both pavement and dirt roads. Rattlesnakes are common.

When to ride

The area is open year-round. RiderPlanet describes the climate as desert.