OUTDOOR RECREATION
Attractions
Local Attractions
List of the major attractions in Aztec.
➠ Aztec Attractions
Four Corners Attractions
List of various attractions around the Four Corners.
➠ Four Corners Attractions
Maps
Looking for a specific map?
➠ Map Index
Fishing and Water Recreation
The Four Corners region is home to endless recreational possibilities, including waters for the fishing trip of a lifetime. The region is home to fishing holes of all kinds and holds plenty of adventures waiting to be explored. On top of that list is Navajo Lake and San Juan River Quality Waters. Navajo Lake is 25 miles long with more than 200 camping and picnic sites, two improved boat ramps and a marina. Recreation includes boating, sailing and other water sports, plus trophy fishing for brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and Kokanee salmon. Flowing from Navajo Lake, the lower San Juan River is ranked among America's top-10 trout fishing waters.
While the San Juan River tops the "must fish" list, the Four Corners has numerous lakes, each providing a unique and memorable adventure. But for those who are not the avid angular, do not be dismayed, many of these lakes cater to the boating enthusiast as well as the wildlife viewing for those seeking to glimpse a rare bald eagle or nesting heron. In addition, many of the lakes offer back country trails and camping opportunities to be one with nature.
➠ Waters in Southwest Colorado ➠ Waters in Northwest New Mexico ➠ Waters in Southeast Utah
Animas River
The Animas River is a great destination for relaxing rafting and kayaking. Enjoy a float down this river from Durango, Colorado through Aztec, New Mexico and onto Farmington where the Animas River meets with the San Juan River.
➠ Maps and More Info
Navajo Lake
Nourished by the Pine and San Juan rivers, Navajo Lake is 25 miles long with more than 200 camping and picnic sites, two improved boat ramps and a marina. Recreation includes boating, sailing and other water sports, plus trophy fishing for brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and Kokanee salmon.
➠ Photos, Maps, More Info
San Juan River Quality Waters
Flowing from Navajo Lake, the lower San Juan River is ranked among America's top-10 trout fishing waters. A 4.5-mile, nutrient-rich section below Navajo Dam is so spectacular for fishing that it has earned "Quality Waters" designation. (Special angling regulations are in effect.) Attracting sports enthusiasts the world over, the river further compels with multi-hued sandstone canyons and desert vistas.
➠ Photos, Maps, More Info ⇩ Download Fishing Brochure (PDF 189 KB)
Motor Sports
Aztec Motocross Track
The Aztec Motocross Track is owned by the City of Aztec and is now under contract with AMX LLC to host races and maintain the track.➠ Maps, More Info
Kart Kanyon Speedway
The Kart Kanyon Speedway is owned by the City of Aztec and operated/maintained by the non-profit 4 Corners Amateur Racing.➠ Maps, More Info
Mountain Bike Riding
LOCAL TRAILS
Alien Run Mountain Bike Trail
For the more adventurous, Aztec boasts over 30 miles of mountain bike trails, including the Alien Run, which is ranked among the more technically challenging and scenic single tracks in the Southwest. Routed near an alleged UFO crash site, "the Alien Run" can be navigated by a novice yet is immensely challenging for experts. A local favorite and within City limits, Mountain View Trails is a great high-desert trail with simple climbs and short fast flow descents. A little tough for beginners starting out but for most riders a great fun ride. The trail provides excellent views of the San Juan Mountains.
➠ Photos, Maps, More Info
Aztec Mountain View Trails
A local favorite, Mountain View Trails is a great high-desert trail with scenic views to the north of the San Juan Mountains.
➠ Maps, More Info
Glade Run Recreation Area
Approximately 42 miles of marked trails for motorized trail bike and mountain bike riders are located in the limited OHV portion of the Glade Run Recreation Area. One of the longest running mountain bike races in the United States, the Road Apple Rally is an annual mountain bike race held the first Saturday in October. It is a regional favorite with pros and amateurs from across the southwest.
➠ Trails, Maps, More Info
Pinon Mesa Mountain Bike Trail
Approx. 14.5 miles of trail through some scenic badlands, hoodoos, and tent rocks landscape. A local favorite, riding this trail can be very challenging with many sand traps.
➠ Trails, Maps, More Info
FOUR CORNERS TRAILS
➠ Southwest Colorado Trails ➠ Northwest New Mexico Trails ➠ Southeast Utah Trails
Hiking & Exploring
Archaeology
Visit ancient puebloan ruins, Navajo pueblitos, and historic homesteads in and around Aztec.
➠ Photos, Maps, More Info
Arches Inventory of over 400 natural arches and windows in San Juan and Rio Arriba counties.
➠ Photos, Maps, More Info
Historic Tour Take a tour of Aztec's Historic District, download the Walking Tour Brochure, or view samples of historic literature about Aztec and San Juan County.
➠ Maps, More Info
Local Walking Trails Within the City of Aztec there are several trail loops that one can walk for an easy evening stroll around the city. Most of the trails are concrete sidewalks, but some segments are earthen or gravel. Loops vary from 0.5 miles to 3.1 miles.
⇩ Local Trails Map (PDF 58 KB)
Public Recreation Lands The Bureau of Land Management oversees several public wilderness areas that offer great hiking destinations and awesome photographic opportunities:
➠ Ah-shi-sle-pah Wilderness ➠ Alien Run Mountain Bike Trail ➠ Angel Peak Scenic Area ➠ Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness ➠ Lybrook Badlands ➠ Other BLM Recreation & Wilderness Areas
Each offers a variety of landforms and eroded badlands that offer some of the most unusual scenery in the Four Corners. Time and natural elements have etched a fantasy world of strange rock formations, hoodoos, spires, pinnacles, and arches. Access to these areas require high-clearance and should have 4WD capability, roads may become impassible in wet conditions.
Trails of Northwest New Mexico
In northwest New Mexico there are numerous areas where trails have been established for the novice to experienced hiker.
➠ Hiking Destinations
UFO Crash Site Visit the 1948 UFO crash site at a mesa near Aztec.
➠ Photos, Maps, More Info
Horse Riding Trails
Little known in our region are the numerous equestrian trails that have been around for many years and some that are recently developed. For the horse enthusiast, visit our inventory of horse riding trails brought to you by Region 3 of the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC).➠ Northwest New Mexico (San Juan County) ➠ Southwest Colorado
Disc Golfing
For the disc golf enthusiast, there are a number of disc golf courses in the San Juan County area. From free public courses to private, the avid disc thrower will not be disappointed as they traverse a variety of landscapes and scenery.
Aztec
Experience the newest 18-hole course located east of Aztec's Tiger Lake. The start of the front and back nine is next to the parking lott.➠ Maps, More Info
Berg Park
An informal 10 hole course located in Farmington's Animas River / Berg Park.➠ Maps, More Info
Lions Wilderness
A very popular 27 hole course located in Farmington's Lion Wilderness Park.➠ Maps, More Info
Majestic Enchantment
Privately operated, this 18 hole course offers the greatest challenge and is along the San Juan River.➠ Maps, More Info
San Juan College
This 27 hole course is located on the San Juan College campus.➠ Maps, More Info
Wildlife Viewing
Into nature watching? Bird watching? The wildlife in northwestern New Mexico is quite diverse within the various desert to riverine eco-systems. Various species have been photographed in the surrounding wilderness areas, canyons and river valleys present in San Juan County.
➠ Photos, More Info
Aztec Ruins Great Kiva
Cox Canyon Arch
Mountain Biking along Alien Run Trail
Fly Fishing in the Quality Waters of the San Juan River
Hiking out into the Bisti Wilderness