Wind through the rugged heart of southern New Mexico on the Lake Valley Back Country Byway, a 44-mile journey that trades pavement for adventure across some of the state’s most untouched desert landscape. This state-designated scenic byway carries travelers through wide-open rangeland framed by distant mountain ranges, where the silence is broken only by wind and the occasional call of a red-tailed hawk overhead.

The route passes through the historic ghost town of Lake Valley, once a booming silver mining community in the 1880s. Stop to explore the preserved schoolhouse and imagine life during the town’s brief, wild heyday. Beyond the townsite, the byway winds through classic Chihuahuan Desert terrain—creosote flats, arroyos carved by flash floods, and rolling hills dotted with yucca and prickly pear.

Wildlife watchers may spot pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and countless desert birds along the way. The Black Range mountains rise dramatically to the west, offering a stunning backdrop at golden hour.

Allow two to three hours for the full drive, more if you plan to explore on foot. Spring and fall deliver the most comfortable temperatures and the clearest skies. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

Explore Nearby

• Christmas Valley Back Country Byway — Public Land in Oregon
• Fremont–Winema National Forest — National Forest in Oregon
• Lake Abert and Abert Rim — Public Land in Oregon
• OC&E Woods Line State Trail — State Park in Oregon
• La Pine State Park — State Park in Oregon