Glade Run Recreation Area

Glade Run Recreation Area is a 19,000-acre Bureau of Land Management property located north and northwest of Farmington, New Mexico, at approximately 5,669 feet elevation. Encompassing sandy arroyos, exposed sandstone slickrock, rolling sagebrush foothills, and technical rock-crawling terrain at Chokecherry Canyon, Glade Run is the premier motorized off-road destination in the Four Corners region. The area is open to motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, Jeeps, mountain bikes, and equestrian use — all at no cost, year-round, with no permits required. Sundowner Mobile Home & RV Park on Airport Drive puts you just 10 miles and 15 minutes from the trailheads.

Why Glade Run Is a Must-Ride Destination

Off-road riders who have experienced Moab or the Arizona desert will find something different at Glade Run. The terrain here is a mosaic of geological features compressed into a vast but accessible area — you can ride smooth sandy washes in the morning, tackle slickrock shelves after lunch, and session technical rock obstacles at Chokecherry Canyon before the day is done. All without paying an entrance fee, pulling a permit, or fighting for a staging spot.

The BLM Farmington Field Office manages Glade Run as an open riding area where riders should stick to existing routes to protect the fragile desert ecosystem. This keeps the riding experience high-quality — trails stay defined, erosion is controlled, and the landscape retains the wild, open character that makes it worth visiting. With 19,000 acres to explore, you can ride for days without repeating the same terrain.

Terrain and Trail Types

Glade Run's massive acreage delivers an extraordinary range of riding surfaces. Here is what to expect across the major terrain types:

• Sandy arroyos: Dry streambeds filled with sand and gravel that cut through the mesa terrain. Some are wide and flat — perfect for cruising in a UTV at speed. Others narrow into boulder-strewn channels that demand careful line selection. Sand depth increases after monsoon rains, adding an extra challenge for motorcycles and lighter ATVs.
• Slickrock formations: Exposed sandstone shelves that provide excellent traction when dry. These sections feature natural ramps, ledges, and undulations that make Glade Run comparable to Utah's famous slickrock riding. Ideal for Jeeps and UTVs that want rock-crawling challenges without extreme difficulty.
• Rolling foothills: Sagebrush-dotted hills with fast two-track roads and winding single-track trails. The soil is firm clay and decomposed sandstone — quick when dry, slippery when wet. These areas suit dirt bikes and ATVs looking for open-throttle riding with sweeping views of Shiprock, the Chuska Mountains, and the La Plata Range.
• Technical rock-crawling (Chokecherry Canyon): Stacked sandstone ledges, steep off-camber climbs, and tight boulder gardens that host the WE-Rock Grand Nationals. This is competition-grade terrain for built rigs with lockers, 37-inch-plus tires, and low-range gearing.
• Longer trail runs: Multi-mile routes connecting the various terrain types, suitable for full-day adventures. These longer runs take you through the remote northern and western sections of Glade Run where you may not see another rider for hours.

Chokecherry Canyon and Brown Springs Subsections

Two named areas within Glade Run deserve special attention. Chokecherry Canyon is the technical rock-crawling heart of the recreation area — home to the WE-Rock Grand Nationals and some of the most challenging wheeling in the Southwest. The canyon's stacked sandstone obstacles are rated from moderate (suitable for stock 4x4s with experienced drivers) to extreme (purpose-built crawlers only).

Brown Springs offers intermediate terrain between the sandy arroyos and the full-send rock crawling of Chokecherry. It is a good stepping-stone area for riders who have outgrown the easy stuff but are not ready for competition-grade obstacles. The mix of rocky hillsides, moderate ledges, and open desert makes Brown Springs popular with Jeep clubs and UTV groups.

Difficulty Ratings

Glade Run does not have formal, signed trail ratings like a ski resort, but the terrain breaks down into recognizable difficulty levels:

• Easy: Wide sandy arroyos, flat two-track roads, and gentle rolling hills. Suitable for stock ATVs, stock Jeeps, and beginning dirt bike riders. Most of the area's acreage falls into this category.
• Moderate: Slickrock shelves with ledges up to 18 inches, rocky hillside descents, and narrow wash sections with obstacles. Requires 4WD and some off-road experience. Brown Springs area features heavily here.
• Difficult: Sustained rocky sections, steep off-camber climbs, and larger ledges. Requires a capable 4x4 with skid plates, recovery gear, and experienced driving. The transition zone approaching Chokecherry Canyon.
• Extreme: Chokecherry Canyon competition-grade obstacles. Stacked ledges, near-vertical climbs, and tight boulder gardens. Purpose-built rock crawlers recommended — lockers, 37-inch-plus tires, armor, and a winch are standard equipment.

Dry Camping at Glade Run

Dry camping (dispersed camping) is permitted throughout Glade Run at no cost. BLM rules limit camping to 14 consecutive days in one location. There are no developed campgrounds, no water, no trash collection, and no restroom facilities — you must be fully self-contained and pack out everything you bring in. Many riders set up a dry camp near the staging areas for day trips and return to Sundowner Park for showers, laundry, and full hookups on rest days.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring and fall are the prime riding seasons at Glade Run. Temperatures range from the mid-50s to the low 80s, trails are dry, and the desert light is spectacular for photography. Spring (March through May) can bring occasional windy days that kick up dust and sand. Fall (September through November) is ideal — warm days, cool nights, and the WE-Rock Grand Nationals in late September or early October add excitement.

Summer riding requires early starts. Temperatures regularly exceed 90 degrees by midday, and the sandy arroyos radiate heat. Most riders are on the trails by 7 AM and back in camp by noon. The summer monsoon season (July through September) brings brief, intense thunderstorms that can flash-flood arroyos with little warning — stay out of narrow washes when storms are visible.

Winter riding is possible on sunny days when temperatures reach the 40s and 50s. South-facing slickrock dries quickly after snow, but shaded canyon bottoms may hold ice. Shorter daylight hours limit ride time, but the solitude is hard to beat.

Safety Tips for Glade Run

• Water: Carry at least one gallon per person per day. In summer, bring two gallons. Dehydration at elevation happens faster than you expect.
• Fuel: Top off before you leave Farmington. There are no gas stations at or near Glade Run.
• Navigation: Download offline maps before heading out. Cell coverage is decent on mesa tops but drops in washes and canyons. A GPS app like onX Offroad or Gaia GPS is strongly recommended.
• Tools and spares: Bring a basic tool kit, tire repair kit, tow strap, and first-aid supplies. The nearest parts store is back in Farmington, 10 to 15 miles away.
• Livestock: Open-range cattle graze on BLM land throughout San Juan County. Watch for livestock on trails and near water sources.
• Flash floods: During monsoon season, avoid camping in wash bottoms and exit narrow arroyos when thunderstorms are visible — water rises fast in the desert.
• Spark arrestors: Required on all OHVs per BLM regulations. Sound levels must stay below 96 decibels.

Getting to Glade Run from Sundowner Park

From Sundowner Mobile Home & RV Park at 219 Airport Dr, head north on US-550 for approximately 8 miles. Turn west onto County Road 3950, which leads to the primary staging areas within about 2 miles. Total drive time is roughly 15 minutes. The access roads are paved or well-maintained gravel accessible to trucks pulling OHV trailers. Multiple informal staging areas along the access roads offer flat, open space to park trucks and unload vehicles. Arrive early on weekends during spring and fall for the best staging spots.

Combining Glade Run with Other Farmington Riding

A week-long stay at Sundowner Park gives you time to explore all of Farmington's off-road terrain. Spend two or three days at Glade Run tackling different sections each day, then mix in a day at Farmington Dunes for hill-climbing practice on its 800 acres of steep terrain, and dedicate an afternoon to sessioning the rock obstacles at Chokecherry Canyon. Between riding days, explore Chaco Canyon, fish at Navajo Lake, or hike the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness.

For full site details and amenities, visit our RV spaces page. To reserve your spot, contact us online or call (505) 327-1671.