Pioneer Loop

Pioneer Loop is a short, hard piece of motorcycle-only trail in the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, above the town of Red River in northern New Mexico. The Red River visitor guide rates it very difficult and describes it as about 2 miles long, so this is a technical spur of riding, not a full day on its own. Most riders link it with the forest roads around it: Pioneer Canyon (FR 485), an old mining road that the guide rates moderate, and Goose Lake Road (FR 486), which it rates very difficult. Only motorcycles are allowed on the loop itself.

Note that "Pioneer Loop" is a single trail rather than a riding area with its own trail network. It sits in a wider cluster of motorized trails around Red River. A separate motorcycle-only system, Elephant Rock, lies a few miles away off Cabresto Canyon.

Getting there

The loop has two entrances. One is just before the private gate at the top of Pioneer Canyon (FR 485). The other is at Bunker Hill, off Goose Lake Road (FR 486). FR 485 starts off Pioneer Road next to the Arrowhead Lodge on the edge of Red River, at about 8,665 feet, and climbs to about 10,200 feet where it meets private land. The road runs along Pioneer Creek and passes remnants of gold and silver mines that closed in 1931. For Goose Lake Road, drive about half a mile on Highway 578 and turn right onto FR 486.

Trailer parking is available in the municipal lot next to Brandenburg Park in Red River. Trailers are not permitted at Mallette Park. The coordinates on this page mark the lower end of FR 485, not the loop itself.

Fees, permits, and rules

New Mexico requires an Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHV) permit. A non-resident whose home state has an OHV registration or user fee can ride in New Mexico by showing proof of that registration. A non-resident from a state with no such program must buy a New Mexico permit (in the town's 2022 flyer: $48 for two years or $18 for 90 days, plus $7 for pavement use). Check the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for current prices. Riders under 18 must wear a helmet and eye protection, and must be visually supervised unless they hold a valid motorcycle license and are 13 or older. Stay on the trail, keep noise down, and stay off private land; the gate at the top of FR 485 marks private property.

When to ride

The Forest Service lists the trail as open to motorcycles from March 15 to November 15 each year. Pioneer Canyon is popular from July through September, when the high country is clear of snow. Check with the Questa Ranger District for closures, since windstorm damage has closed this area before.