Pack up your pup and head to the Fort Bayard Wood Haul Wagon Trail in the town of Silver City. Located in the southwest corner of New Mexico, this trail is perfect for pups of all skill levels as you will find flat, easily traversed terrain.Â
Fort Bayard is a former military installation of the United States Army from the 1800’s. It was built to protect the area against Indian attacks at the time. The trail was naturally created by the oxen and mule teams that hauled supplies and early settlers to the area. The carved wheel ruts are still visible today, which is what the trail follows along its 11.5 miles. This land was formerly reservation land.
Your pup will love being let loose here during those sparsely populated times of the year. They will love the wide-open landscape and the areas of pine forests along the way. Early mornings and evenings are the best times to hike here in the summer to avoid the hot times of the day. Anytime during the winter months is suitable for a pup-tastic hike. Take care to watch out for snakes and those cute bunnies that some dogs like to chase. Be sure yur pup leaves the wildlife alone.
Packing out what you pack in is good practice here and will keep this historic trail pristine for all to enjoy. Water and snacks are an essential item in your or pup’s pack, as well as a camera and a leash, just in case. Hiking all or just a fraction of the trail will offer you both some well-deserved time together on this scenic trail.
Next time you are in the Silver City area, be sure to check out the pawtastic Fort Bayard Wood Haul Wagon Trail! You won’t be disappointed.
This is a desert area and it is advised to bring proper clothing and portable shade for your pup. The temperatures during the summer months can get quite hot, so plan accordingly.