Chokecherry Canyon’s Open Area
Chokecherry Canyon near Farmington draws ATV and UTV riders with rugged terrain, open riding areas, and routes that can feel very different from one another. The tricky part is knowing where open riding is allowed, what your machine and group can handle, and how to prepare for a remote day. This guide covers the basics before you unload.
Understanding Chokecherry Canyon and the Glade Run area
Where Chokecherry Canyon fits into Glade Run
Chokecherry Canyon is part of the larger Glade Run Recreation Area near Farmington in northwestern New Mexico. The landscape is a striking mix of sandstone, broken rock, sandy ground, washes, and open high-desert country. It is not a single, uniform trail system: terrain and riding conditions can change quickly as you move through the area.
The name “open area” can give the wrong impression if you read it as permission to ride anywhere in sight. The boundaries of the recreation area, the routes shown on official maps, and any posted restrictions still matter. A nearby track or appealing stretch of ground is not automatically open to motorized travel. Before riding, check the current land-management information for the specific access point and area you plan to use.
For a broader look at the recreation area and how its different riding zones fit together, see [New Mexico's 19,000-Acre Glade Run]. If you are comparing parts of the area, [Designated Trails in Northern Glade Run] and [Riding the Open Area at South Glade Run] can help you think beyond one canyon name.
What riders mean by an open area
An open riding zone usually offers more freedom to choose a line than a route marked as a single trail. That can be appealing if your group likes exploring, climbing, or adapting a ride to the terrain. It also asks more of the rider: you need to recognize boundaries, avoid sensitive ground, and make good decisions when the line ahead becomes rougher or steeper than expected.
“Open” does not mean unregulated, limitless, or suitable for every vehicle. A wide side-by-side may not fit every narrow passage, and a climb that looks manageable from below can become difficult to descend. Keep a conservative margin around steep edges, loose rock, and unfamiliar washes. If you cannot see a safe route out, stop and assess rather than committing simply because another tire track leads onward.
That distinction is especially useful for first-time visitors. A group may set out expecting a marked loop, then find itself choosing among multiple tracks and terrain features. Treat the map and posted signs as boundaries, not suggestions, and agree on a turnaround point before anyone gets separated.
Choosing a ride that matches your machine and experience
What the terrain can ask of an ATV or UTV
The riding experience around Chokecherry Canyon depends on the exact line, recent weather, and vehicle setup. Sand can make steering feel loose; exposed rock can challenge tires and suspension; and uneven ground can make a short climb feel more demanding than it appeared from the staging area. A route that is comfortable for an experienced rider on a compact ATV may be an awkward fit for a wide or long-wheelbase UTV.
Before entering technical terrain, consider ground clearance, tire condition, turning space, and how confidently the least experienced driver in your group handles uneven ground. A side-by-side’s added stability does not eliminate rollover risk, particularly when a wheel drops into a rut or the vehicle crosses a side slope. On an ATV, fatigue and abrupt steering inputs can quickly make rough ground harder to manage.
If you are new to the area, begin with terrain you can read clearly and leave the most challenging features for another day. It is easier to add difficulty after a comfortable first ride than to recover a machine from a line your group was not prepared to ride.
A practical way to plan a route
Plan your outing around the slowest rider and the least capable machine—not the most experienced driver or the most powerful vehicle. Choose a modest first objective, set a time to turn around, and make sure every driver knows how to regroup if the group becomes stretched out. A short, deliberate ride is often more enjoyable than a long route that leaves everyone rushing to get back.
A map app such as onX Offroad can help with pre-ride orientation and route planning, especially when you want to understand the relationship between trails, boundaries, and access points. Download the information you need before leaving dependable service, and compare it with official land-manager maps and on-the-ground signs. Digital maps are planning aids; they should not be treated as permission to ride a route that is closed, restricted, or outside the authorized area.
It also helps to save the staging location and agree on a simple navigation plan. If someone has to stop, the group should know whether to wait at the last safe pullout, retrace a known route, or contact the lead rider. Do not rely on every person’s phone having a signal or enough battery for a full day.
| Planning factor | What to consider | A safer approach |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle size | Width, wheelbase, turning room, and clearance | Avoid committing to a narrow route before checking whether you can turn around |
| Rider experience | Comfort with loose rock, sand, slopes, and route-finding | Let the least experienced driver set the pace |
| Route choice | Open riding, marked trails, boundaries, and closures | Compare official maps with signs at the riding area |
| Weather | Heat, wind, rain, and possible runoff | Recheck conditions and change plans when storms threaten |
| Group logistics | Fuel, water, communication, and regroup points | Keep the group together and set a clear turnaround time |
For a useful overview of mapping and trip-preparation habits, see [New Mexico Trail Maps Worth Carrying].
Preparing for a day in the high desert
Weather, water, and changing conditions
Farmington’s high-desert setting can bring strong sun, dry air, wind, and large changes in comfort between exposed ground and shaded spots. A ride can feel pleasant at the staging area and become draining once the group is moving slowly across open terrain. Bring more drinking water than you expect to need, take breaks before anyone feels depleted, and make sure riders can access their water without having to unpack the whole vehicle.
Rain deserves special attention. A dry wash may look harmless, but runoff can arrive quickly after a storm, including from rain that fell well away from your immediate location. If thunderheads build, rain begins, or water starts moving across a route, do not continue deeper into a low spot to see whether it passes. Move to safer ground if you can do so without crossing flowing water, and follow official warnings or closures.
Wind can also reduce visibility by lifting dust, particularly when several vehicles are moving close together. Leave enough space to see the terrain and the vehicle ahead. If dust makes it difficult to read the route, stop somewhere safe and let conditions improve instead of following taillights blindly.
Gear, vehicle checks, and backup plans
A pre-ride check does not have to be complicated, but it should be deliberate. Check tires, wheels, brakes, lights, steering, fuel, and any equipment your machine needs to operate properly. For a UTV, confirm that seat belts and protective equipment are in usable condition. For an ATV, check the controls and make sure your load is secure and does not interfere with handling.
Carry basic recovery and repair supplies appropriate for the vehicle and your experience. A repair kit is not much help if nobody in the group knows how to use it, so decide in advance who can handle a common problem such as a flat tire or loose connection. Bring a first-aid kit, a way to contact help, and enough food and water to handle a longer-than-planned day.
Navigation deserves a backup too. onX Offroad can be useful for reviewing an intended route, but a charged phone alone is a fragile plan in remote terrain. Save relevant maps offline, carry a separate power source, and make sure someone in the group knows the route back to the staging area. For broader advice about shared-land preparation, [New Mexico Trail Etiquette on Shared Ground] is a helpful companion topic.
Riding responsibly around other people and land
Respecting signs, boundaries, and shared routes
Chokecherry Canyon and the surrounding recreation area are shared spaces. You may encounter other motorized users, hikers, cyclists, maintenance activity, or people stopped beside a route. Slow down where visibility is limited, give others room, and avoid throwing dust or rocks at people who are walking or waiting near the trail.
Stay on routes and in areas that are open to your machine. Cutting a new track may seem harmless when the ground looks bare, but repeated travel can widen disturbed areas and make it harder for other visitors to know where riding is allowed. Do not cross a posted closure or assume that a track visible on an app is legal. Signs at the site and official land-management information should guide the decision.
Livestock and wildlife are another reason to moderate speed and keep a predictable line. If you see animals, reduce speed, give them room, and avoid chasing or crowding them. Close gates behind you when you use a route that crosses a managed boundary, unless posted directions say otherwise. For more on considerate riding, see [New Mexico Riding With Livestock Around].
Permits, registration, and safety rules
Your paperwork obligations depend on your situation, including where the machine is registered and whether you are a New Mexico resident or visitor. Do not assume that the requirements for one rider apply to the whole group. Check the rules that fit your home state, machine, and planned land use before loading the trailer.
New Mexico also has rules for riding on public land, and some requirements differ by rider age and circumstances. Confirm what applies to the adults and minors in your party, and carry the required documents or proof with you. A quick check before departure is easier than trying to solve a permit or registration question at a remote staging area.
Start with [New Mexico OHV Permits Explained] for a guide to permit questions, and review [New Mexico's Nonresident OHV Permit] if you are visiting from out of state. Keep in mind that permits, registration, and land access are separate issues: having one does not automatically authorize riding on every route or parcel.
Making the visit work for your group
A simple first-visit itinerary
For a first trip, build the day around getting oriented rather than covering the most distance. Arrive with enough time to check signs, review your map, unload without rushing, and talk through the route. Identify a straightforward first section, a safe place to regroup, and a turnaround point that leaves daylight for loading and the drive back.
Once moving, stop before major forks or terrain changes to confirm the group is together. If one person is unsure about a feature, take that uncertainty seriously. A driver who feels pressured to follow the group may attempt a climb or descent that they would otherwise avoid. There is no need to make every obstacle a group challenge; turning around is a sound decision, not a failed ride.
If you are planning to camp, do not assume that every convenient pullout is an authorized overnight spot. Check the relevant rules and arrangements in advance, and keep your camp separate from vehicle routes. [Getting a Free Camping Permit at Glade Run] is relevant if you are considering an overnight stay in the area.
Common planning mistakes to avoid
One frequent mistake is treating a map line as a guarantee of current access. Routes can be affected by management decisions, weather, maintenance, or temporary closures. Use the map to plan, then verify conditions close to the trip and pay attention to signs when you arrive. If the route on your screen conflicts with a posted closure, follow the closure.
Another is underestimating how long a ride takes. A short distance on a map can take much longer when the terrain is rough, the group stops often, or a vehicle needs attention. Leave room in the schedule for breaks and an unexpected delay. Do not let a late start turn into a push to ride fast or continue after the group is tired.
Finally, avoid letting the most capable vehicle dictate the plan. A powerful UTV may climb a feature that is unsuitable for a newer rider, a smaller ATV, or a vehicle with different tires. Pick lines everyone can manage, communicate before changing direction, and leave enough space between vehicles for visibility and stopping.
Chokecherry Canyon is most rewarding when you treat it as a varied public-land riding area rather than a place to improvise without checking boundaries. Prepare for the terrain, ride within your group’s abilities, and verify access and conditions before you go. A little planning helps keep the day focused on the landscape and the ride—not an avoidable mechanical, weather, or navigation problem.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
