Chokecherry Canyon Rock Crawling

Chokecherry Canyon is a technical rock-crawling section within the 19,000-acre Glade Run Recreation Area near Farmington, New Mexico. This is where Farmington earns its national reputation in the off-road world: Chokecherry's stacked sandstone ledges, steep off-camber climbs, and tight boulder gardens host the annual WE-Rock Grand Nationals (World Extreme Rock Crawling Championships), drawing professional and amateur teams from across the United States, Canada, and beyond. The canyon sits on BLM public land at roughly 5,669 feet elevation, about 10 miles and 15 minutes from Sundowner Mobile Home & RV Park.

The WE-Rock Grand Nationals

The WE-Rock Grand Nationals is the premier rock-crawling competition in the country, and Chokecherry Canyon has hosted the event multiple times — cementing Farmington's place on the international off-road map. Typically held over a weekend in late September or early October, the Grand Nationals bring together the top rock-crawling teams competing for national championship titles across multiple classes:

• Sportsman Class: Modified street-legal rigs. Think Jeep Wranglers with 35-inch tires, lockers, and bolt-on armor. This class proves you do not need a purpose-built buggy to compete — skill and line selection matter more than cubic inches.
• Modified Class: More extensively built vehicles with tube chassis modifications, 37-inch-plus tires, and stronger drivetrain components. The middle ground between trail rigs and full race machines.
• Unlimited Class: Purpose-built rock-crawling machines with one-ton axles, 42-inch tires, full tube chassis, hydraulic steering, and every competitive advantage engineering can deliver. This is where the sport reaches its most extreme expression — vehicles climbing near-vertical rock faces that look impossible from the spectator area.

The Grand Nationals are free for spectators and make for an exciting weekend outing even if you have never watched competitive rock crawling before. The course is typically laid out so spectators can walk between obstacles and watch teams attack different challenges throughout the day. Bring chairs, shade, water, and a camera — the action is dramatic and highly photogenic.

Technical Obstacles and Terrain

Outside of competition season, Chokecherry Canyon's obstacles are open for anyone to session on BLM land. The terrain is characterized by:

• Stacked sandstone ledges: Layered rock formations create natural staircases ranging from 12-inch steps (moderate) to 4-foot vertical faces (extreme). The sandstone provides excellent traction when dry but can be slick when wet or covered in fine dust.
• Off-camber climbs: Sections where the rock tilts sideways while you are climbing, forcing you to manage both vertical progress and lateral stability simultaneously. These are the moves that separate experienced crawlers from beginners — body roll, tire placement, and throttle modulation all matter.
• Boulder gardens: Tight collections of rounded and angular boulders that require precise steering, careful throttle, and often a spotter calling directions from outside the vehicle. Some boulder gardens require multiple attempts to find the right combination of line and speed.
• Narrow slot sections: Passages between rock walls that test your awareness of vehicle width. Rocker panels and fenders take hits here — bolt-on armor or tube sliders are strongly recommended.
• Full-commitment climbs: Steep rock faces where there is no backing down once you are committed. These obstacles typically require a winch backup and a spotter. Not for stock vehicles or inexperienced drivers.

Difficulty Levels and Recommended Rigs

Chokecherry Canyon's obstacles span a wide range of difficulty. Here is what to bring based on how hard you want to push:

• Moderate (stock-plus 4x4): A Jeep Wrangler or similar with good all-terrain tires, skid plates, and 4WD low range can handle the perimeter obstacles and lower-grade ledges. Stay conservative, use a spotter, and know when to back off. This is a great introduction to rock crawling if you have trail experience but have not sessioned technical obstacles before.
• Difficult (built trail rig): Front and rear lockers, 35-inch or larger tires, rock sliders, a skid plate package, and a low-range transfer case with at least a 4:1 ratio. This setup opens up the majority of Chokecherry's obstacles. A winch (9,000 pounds or more) is strongly recommended.
• Extreme (competition rig): One-ton axles, 37-inch to 42-inch tires, tube chassis or extensive cage work, hydraulic steering, full belly armor, and a competition-grade winch. This is what you need for the WE-Rock course obstacles and the most extreme natural lines in the canyon. Expect body damage even with armor — that is the nature of the sport at this level.

Event Calendar and Planning

The WE-Rock Grand Nationals is the headline event at Chokecherry Canyon, typically held in late September or early October. Exact dates vary year to year — check the official WE-Rock schedule or contact the Farmington Convention & Visitors Bureau for current dates. Additional regional rock-crawling events and Jeep club runs use Chokecherry throughout the year, particularly in spring and fall.

If you are planning to attend the Grand Nationals, reserve your spot at Sundowner Park early. The event draws competitors, support crews, and spectators from across the country, and Farmington accommodations fill quickly during race weekend. Sundowner's weekly rate of $270 covers the entire event weekend plus extra days to explore Glade Run and Farmington Dunes before or after the competition.

Safety at Chokecherry Canyon

Rock crawling is inherently higher-risk than trail riding. The obstacles at Chokecherry Canyon demand respect and preparation:

• Never crawl alone. Always bring at least one other vehicle and use spotters on technical obstacles. A spotter outside the vehicle can see tire placement, approach angles, and hazards that the driver cannot.
• Wear your seatbelt and use proper harnesses. Rollovers happen in rock crawling. A 4-point or 5-point harness and a roll cage are essential for serious obstacles.
• Carry recovery gear: Winch with synthetic line, tree saver straps (use rock anchors — there are few trees), snatch blocks, D-ring shackles, and a high-lift jack. A come-along is useful as a backup.
• Disconnect sway bars on obstacles where articulation matters. Many crawlers run quick-disconnect sway bar links for exactly this purpose.
• Walk the obstacle first. Before committing your vehicle, walk the line on foot. Look for hidden ledges, loose rock, and the best tire placement points. Many experienced crawlers spend more time scouting than driving.
• Hydrate and protect from sun. Rock crawling is slow and deliberate — you will spend hours in the sun. Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.

Beyond Chokecherry: Explore All of Glade Run

Chokecherry Canyon is a subsection of the 19,000-acre Glade Run Recreation Area. After sessioning the rock obstacles, you can ride out into Glade Run's sandy arroyos, slickrock shelves, and rolling foothills for a completely different off-road experience on the same trip. The Brown Springs subsection offers intermediate wheeling — a good step between Glade Run's easy terrain and Chokecherry's extreme obstacles.

For a full week of off-roading, add Farmington Dunes (800 acres of hill climbs and dunes) to your itinerary. Between riding days, explore Chaco Canyon, fish at Navajo Lake, or hike the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness.

Your Chokecherry Canyon Base Camp

Sundowner Mobile Home & RV Park at 219 Airport Dr, Farmington, NM 87401 is roughly 10 miles from Chokecherry Canyon — close enough for a quick run back to camp for parts, lunch, or a rest, but far enough to escape the dust and noise after a day on the rocks. Full-hookup sites with 30/50 AMP electric, water, sewer, free WiFi, and 24-hour laundry handle everything you need between sessions. The on-site gym helps work out the tension from a day of gripping the steering wheel on off-camber climbs.

Weekly rates at $270/week and monthly rates at $575/month make Sundowner the smart choice for extended crawling trips. Call (505) 327-1671 or contact us online to reserve.