Trans-America Trail — Grants to Quemado via the Continental Divide Dirt Corridor
Pavement-free across the Continental Divide.
Sam Correro’s Trans-America Trail was built on one rule: stay off pavement. The New Mexico segment running west from Grants through the Cibola National Forest, over the Continental Divide, and down into the high desert around Quemado is one of the finest stretches of the whole 5,000-mile route. You leave the I-40 corridor and within twenty minutes you’re on two-track threading through ponderosa pine ridgelines and volcanic lava fields that spilled out of Mount Taylor country maybe 4,000 years ago. The route crosses the Continental Divide at around 8,000 feet somewhere in the Apache Creek watershed, drops through cattle country and BLM scrub flats, and eventually connects with the Reserve segment of the TAT near the Arizona border. It’s lonely, it’s honest, and the views across the Apache-Sitgreaves country are enormous.
This is moderate TAT territory — dirt roads and two-track, some loose rock on the divide crossings, occasional mud if you hit it after rain. A mid-size adventure bike or a capable 4×4 with decent ground clearance handles it fine; a full-size truck needs careful line selection in the narrows. Best run May through October before the winter mud sets in. Fuel in Grants before you leave — Quemado has a single gas station that keeps irregular hours, so treat it as a bonus. Cell service is essentially zero from the moment you leave the highway until you’re nearly into Quemado. Dispersed camping is available on Cibola National Forest and BLM lands throughout the corridor. Carry water for at least two days.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 140 mi / 225.3 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8200 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Grants, New Mexico |
| Land manager | Cibola National Forest / BLM Albuquerque Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Cibola National Forest official site BLM Albuquerque Field Office Trans-America Trail official route site |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this stretch without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can handle this route. The moderate rating means rutted two-track and rocky sections, not technical rock crawling — but low-profile vehicles or anything without true 4WD will struggle, especially if recent rain has softened the dirt.
When does this section of the TAT typically close or get impassable?
May through October is the reliable window. Winter brings snow at 8,200 ft that can shut the route down hard. Summer monsoon season (July–August) turns sections of clay dirt into axle-deep mud with little warning — check conditions before you leave Grants if you're running it mid-summer.
Do I need any permits to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route. Dispersed camping on Cibola National Forest and BLM land is free and legal with a 14-day stay limit per site — no reservations, no fees. Stay 200 feet from water sources and leave no trace.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The roughest miles tend to come through the higher elevation corridors near the Continental Divide where two-track gets rocky and erosion creates ledge drops. Nothing here requires a locker or extreme articulation, but you'll want to air down — plan on 28–32 PSI depending on your rig and load — and take your time through the shelf road sections.
How far is the gas gap between Grants and Quemado, and is there any resupply mid-route?
Grants is your last reliable fuel stop before you head out, and Quemado has a small station at the far end — but don't count on it being open. There is no mid-route resupply across this 140-mile stretch. Carry enough fuel for 200+ miles to be safe, and plan all food and water from Grants.
Trail track
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