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Alkali Lake OHV Area

Carlsbad, New Mexico · Eddy County

Alkali Lake Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area has 11 miles of motorized trails winding through the dune vegetative area. Formerly a location for organized races, Alkali Lake now mostly sees casual users who desire motorized single-track trails where camping is allowed all a short drive from the town of Carlsbad.

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32.49885, -104.21111
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About Alkali Lake OHV Area

Alkali Lake Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area has 11 miles of motorized trails winding through the dune vegetative area. Formerly a location for organized races, Alkali Lake now mostly sees casual users who desire motorized single-track trails where camping is allowed all a short drive from the town of Carlsbad.

How to Get There

From Carlsbad, New Mexico head north on N. Canal St for 4.3, stay straight to continue onto Illinois Camp Road for .7 miles. Turn right onto Rains Road and drive for .9 miles before turning left on an unmarked road and continue driving for .6 miles to hit the trails. It is important to follow these directions. If you put the GPS coordinates into a map app it will take you up an OHV track as a “shortcut” and you may get stuck.

Driving directions (Google Maps) →

Plan Your Visit to Alkali Lake OHV Area

Heading to Alkali Lake OHV Area? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Alkali Lake OHV Area?

No central reservation system listed for Alkali Lake OHV Area. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/10311937) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Alkali Lake OHV Area?

From Carlsbad, New Mexico head north on N. Canal St for 4.3, stay straight to continue onto Illinois Camp Road for .7 miles. Turn right onto Rains Road and drive for .9 miles before turning left on an unmarked road and continue driving for .6 miles to hit the trails. It is important to follow these directions. If you put the GPS coordinates into a map app it will take you up an OHV track as a “sho…

How do I contact Alkali Lake OHV Area?

You can reach the park at phone: 575-234-5972 or email: BLM_NM_PDO_Mail@blm.gov.