Zuni Mountains

The Zuni Mountains are the forested range west of Grants, a cool ponderosa-and-aspen high country that feels worlds apart from the black lava fields of El Malpais below. Once used for logging railroads, the old grades now form a large trail system popular with mountain bikers, hikers, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers.

What to Do

The Zuni Mountain Trail System centers on the community of McGaffey, with trailheads reached off NM 400 and NM 401 southeast of Gallup. The network totals well over a hundred miles of singletrack and old railroad-grade doubletrack, with a concentrated 25 mile core near McGaffey that sees the most riders and hikers. Expect rolling, moderate terrain through ponderosa pine forest and open meadows. In winter, the same trails and the roads around McGaffey Lake get used for cross-country skiing.

How Much Time to Spend

A short loop near a McGaffey trailhead can fill a morning. Serious mountain bikers or hikers can spend a full day linking multiple trail segments. McGaffey Campground makes an overnight stay easy if you want to spread a visit across multiple days.

Getting There

From Grants, take NM 122/NM 400 west toward McGaffey, or approach from Gallup via NM 400 south. Both are paved county and state roads with easy navigation to the main trailheads. Higher trails can hold snow into late spring and get muddy after summer monsoon storms, so summer and fall are the most reliable seasons for hiking and biking. The forest sits at 7,000 to 8,000-plus feet, noticeably cooler than Grants below.

If you are looking for a scenic, forested escape with plenty of relaxing trails to explore, the Zuni Mountains are an excellent choice.