Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway

The Geronimo Trail cuts through some of New Mexico’s most storied Apache country, following ancient paths where Geronimo and his warriors once moved through the Black Range. This 63-mile scenic byway climbs from the Chihuahuan Desert floor at Truth or Consequences up through ponderosa pine forests, crossing Emory Pass at 8,228 feet—the highest point on the route. The trail passes through historic mining towns like Hillsboro and Kingston, where remnants of silver boom days still scatter the mountainsides.

This is a moderate route suitable for any vehicle with decent ground clearance, though winter snow can close the pass. The paved sections give way to well-maintained gravel through the mining districts. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, with summer monsoons adding drama to the desert-to-mountain transition. Dispersed camping is abundant in the national forest sections, and the route delivers genuine Old West history mixed with serious mountain scenery—classic New Mexico backcountry accessible to most rigs.