Trans-America Trail — Grants to Silver City via the Gila National Forest and Continental Divide Dirt Corridor (New Mexico Full Segment)
New Mexico empty. No pavement, no people.
The Trans-America Trail through central New Mexico threads between volcanic tablelands, piñon-juniper ridges, and the back country of the Gila National Forest — one of the emptiest and most rugged wilderness blocks in the lower 48. Out of Grants you cross the Continental Divide multiple times on two-track that crosses private land, BLM high desert, and national forest. The Pie Town area, home to a famous pie shop and not much else, marks the midpoint. From Pie Town the route descends through the Gila toward Reserve and eventually drops into the copper mining hills above Silver City, passing close enough to the Gila Wilderness that you can hike into the cliff dwellings on a layover day. Fuel gaps are real — carry extra between Grants, Pie Town, and Reserve.
This segment runs on a mix of graded gravel, two-track, and occasional paved connector — stock 4WD with good clearance handles most of it, but wet weather turns the clay sections into an ice rink with no warning. Cell service is effectively zero for most of the run. The best season is April–June and September–October; July–August monsoons flood washes fast and without ceremony. Sam Cordes’ original TAT GPS tracks are the standard navigation tool here — paper topo backup is not optional. If you want New Mexico without another human being in sight for hours at a stretch, this is it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 300 mi / 483 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7800 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Pie Town, New Mexico |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service – Gila National Forest / BLM Socorro Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS – Gila National Forest BLM Socorro Field Office |
| Verified | |
| 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 4Runner or Wrangler handle this without a lift?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD handles the majority of this segment without issue. Aired-down tires help on the loose gravel and rocky two-track sections, but nothing here requires a lift or lockers under normal conditions.
What months should I avoid, and does snow close sections near the Continental Divide?
July and August bring serious monsoon activity that turns clay sections impassable and can flood low-water crossings fast. Winter closures above 7,000 feet are common from November through March — the Gila National Forest sections are the most vulnerable to snow and mud.
Do I need any permits or fees to run this segment through the Gila?
No permit is required to drive this route. Dispersed camping on USFS and BLM land is free; just follow the 14-day stay limit and camp 200 feet from water sources, roads, and trails.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The roughest terrain is in the Gila National Forest south of Pie Town — rocky two-track, loose basalt, and rutted forest roads that punish aired-up tires. Nothing is technically extreme, but the remoteness amplifies any mechanical problem since you can go 60+ miles without seeing another vehicle or structure.
How do I handle water and fuel across 300 miles with no cell service?
Carry a minimum of 5 gallons of water — reliable sources are scarce between Pie Town and the Gila River corridor, and crossings are not potable without treatment. Tank up on fuel in Grants, Pie Town (limited, call ahead), and Reserve; don't count on anything in between, and plan for 300 miles of combined range with your jerry can backup.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
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