Trans-America Trail — Lordsburg to Silver City via the Burro Mountains
Boot heel New Mexico, no pavement required.
This TAT segment in New Mexico’s boot heel country connects Lordsburg to Silver City through terrain that most people drive past on I-10 without a second glance — which means they’re missing it entirely. The route climbs from the Chihuahuan Desert floor into the Burro Mountains through a network of BLM two-track and county dirt roads, passing the ghost-town remnants of old mining operations and crossing wide-open ranch flats where you won’t see another soul for hours. Tyrone, once a Phelps Dodge company town and now a massive open pit copper mine, sits as a surreal industrial landmark on the western approach to Silver City. The dirt roads through the Burros demand attention — loose rocky two-track with embedded basalt chunks that’ll find your sidewalls if you’re lazy.
This is a moderate segment by TAT standards — high clearance and 4WD are required, but the obstacles are manageable for a capable stock rig with decent all-terrain tyres. Aired-down tyres help significantly on the rocky sections. Silver City is a legitimate resupply point with fuel, food, and lodging; Lordsburg has the basics. Cell service is essentially absent outside both towns. Best run April through October — monsoon season (July-August) can make the flat desert sections muddy and impassable for stretches. Carry extra water — this is the Chihuahuan Desert and sources are scarce. Short enough to knock out in one day with an early start.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 58 mi / 93.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6800 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Lordsburg, NM |
| Land manager | BLM Gila District; Hidalgo County; Grant County |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Gila District Office Trans-America Trail official site |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this TAT segment without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles this segment fine. The Burro Mountains section has rocky two-track and rutted dirt roads, but nothing requiring a lift — just engage 4WD on the loose and rocky pitches and watch your undercarriage on embedded rocks.
When does this segment get washed out or impassable?
Avoid July through mid-September when monsoon season turns desert dirt roads into mud traps and washes them out fast. April through June and September through October are the reliable windows — spring can still throw a surprise storm, so check conditions with the BLM Gila District before you roll.
Do you need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit required for driving the route. Dispersed camping on BLM land is free for up to 14 consecutive days — no reservation, no fee, no check-in. Stay 200 feet from water sources and pack out everything.
What's the hardest section between Lordsburg and Silver City?
The rocky two-track climbing through the Burro Mountains is the most demanding stretch — loose rock, off-camber shelf road sections, and some eroded ledges that punish inattentive drivers. Nothing technically extreme at a moderate rating, but it'll find any weak points in your tires or suspension.
Is there anywhere to get gas or water between Lordsburg and Silver City on this route?
No services exist on the route itself — 58 miles of backcountry with zero cell service and no gas stops. Fill up in Lordsburg before you leave and carry all your water; the Chihuahuan Desert is dry and remote water sources along this corridor are unreliable.
Trail track
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