Trails Connect Communities - Enchanted Circle Trails Association

The Enchanted Circle Trails Association (ECTA) develops, maintains, and promotes trails in the Enchanted Circle region of Northern New Mexico.

We are dedicated to the creation of a regional trail system as envisioned by the community-developed Enchanted Circle Trails Plan to positively affect community health and increase economic development through recreation — all to help improve the quality of life in the region for local residents.

Land Management & Community Partners

ECTA works closely with community groups, municipalities, and land managers to ensure that the needs of all trail users are considered in the growing list of regional trail projects.

Meanwhile, user group organizations, businesses, and area non-profits help maintain and promote our regional trails. From our Adopt-a-Trail program to the development of promotional materials, we are excited to work with passionate groups that share a love of the outdoors.

Adopt a Trail Partners

Taos Mountain Bike Association

Adopted Trail: South Boundary Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2021

Volunteer Hours

Moreno Valley Trekkers

Adopted Trail: Elliot Barker Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2023

Volunteer Hours

Field Institute of Taos

Adopted Trail: Amole Canyon Trails
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2023

Volunteer Hours

UNM – Taos

Adopted Trail: El Nogal Nature Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

Taos Community Foundation

Adopted Trail: Rio Grande del Rancho Trail 18
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

PPC Solar

Adopted Trail: East Fork Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2023

Volunteer Hours

New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors

Adopted Trail: Santa Barbara Canyon
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2021

Volunteer Hours

Taos Trail Runners

Adopted Trail: San Cristobal Canyon Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

Taos Ski Valley, Inc.

Adopted Trail: Williams Lake Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

Taos Land Trust

Adopted Trail: Palo Flechado Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

Burg

Adopted Trail: Middle Fork Lake Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

Taos Professional Ski Patrol

Adopted Trail: Long Canyon
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2023

Volunteer Hours

Red Willow Hospice

Adopted Trail: Devisadero Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2023

Volunteer Hours

Brownrice Internet and TaosNet

Adopted Trail: Gavilan
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

Taos Women’s Outdoor Adventurers

Adopted Trail: Yerba Canyon
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

Friends of the Carson Trails

Adopted Trail: Manzanita Canyon Trail
Agency: US Forest Service
Year Adopted: 2024

Volunteer Hours

Enchanted Circle Trails Association

2 days ago

Trails aren't only for the benefit of people and their furry companions. They can also be a useful tool for conserving and preserving the environment and the plants and animals that call it home.As tools for conservation and preservation, trails:🌱 Help preserve important natural landscapes🌱 Provide needed links between fragmented habitats🌱 Offer opportunities for protecting plant and animal species🌱 Can be useful tools for wetland preservation and the improvement of air and water quality🌱 Can allow humans to experience nature with minimal environmental impactsThis is why it's important to always stay on the trail! You never know who or what you might be disturbing...What are some of your favorite preserves and conservation areas to recreate in? Share in the comments#trailsconnectuss#enchantedcircletrailsr#enchantedcirclen#nmoutdoorsn#nmoutside##nmtrued#trailsu#nmtrails #taosa#NewMexico##getoutdoorsetoutdoors ... See MoreSee Less

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Enchanted Circle Trails Association

5 days ago

Did you know that public lands and community green spaces can foster social cohesion? Studies have shown that residents who live in communities near nature tend to know and respect more of their neighbors, have higher levels of mutual trust, and a higher willingness to help one another. Exposure to nature can also promote acts of kindness, altruism, generosity, resource-sharing, and more cooperative and creative problem solving.Here are some ways to foster community in the outdoors:🌲 Join a local outdoor recreation group like the Backcountry Horsemen of New Mexico, Moreno Valley Trekkers, Taos Trail Runners, or Taos Mountain Bike Association🌲 Help your neighbor collect firewood or collect a little extra wood and gift it to someone in need🌲 Call up some friends for a dog walk on the West Rim trail🌲 Participate in one of ECTA's volunteer days🌲 Say hello to other trail users How do you foster community on public lands and in green spaces? Let us know in the comments belo#trailsconnectuse#enchantedcircletrailsr#enchantedcirclei#nmoutdoorsd#nmoutsidet#trailsr#nmtruem#nmtrailsrails ... See MoreSee Less

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Enchanted Circle Trails Association

6 days ago

Tired of parking in a bar ditch? Horsethief has a trailhead!A huge thank you to the Bureau of Land Management - New Mexico who completed construction on a new parking area on U.S. Forest Service - Carson National Forest land near the Taos County transfer station north of Arroyo Hondo. The project was facilitated by Enchanted Circle Trails Association, and funded with a Trails+ grant from NM Outdoor Recreation Division won by the Taos Mountain Bike Association.Participants in the youth mountain bike team and outdoor programs of the Field Institute of Taos — who regularly utilize the area for education and training — did the honor of cutting the ribbon, officially opening the trailhead to the public.Truly a collaborative effort. Truly a public asset. Thank you to all. Trails connect us!#trailsconnectus, #enchantedcircletrails, #trails, #nmoutside, #publicland, #outdoors, #outdoorrec ... See MoreSee Less

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Enchanted Circle Trails Association

7 days ago

Have you ever wondered how a lot of our public outdoor recreation projects have been funded? Since 2020 the NM Outdoor Recreation Division has generously awarded $2,343,676 in grants to various organizations, non-profits, and schools in Taos county. They offer three different grants:🌻 The Outdoor Equity Fund emphasizes outdoor access for underrepresented youth.🌻 The Outdoor Marketing Grant helps communities and non-profits increase outdoor recreation access by reaching a greater audience through marketing materials.🌻 The Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant funds shovel-ready projects that enhance communities' outdoor recreation opportunities.In 2023, ECTA was awarded a Trails+ grant to help purchase tools for our Adopt-A-Trail program and public volunteer days. And this summer Taos Mountain Bike Association was awarded a Trails+ grant to build the new trailhead at Horsethief Mesa. Do you have a shovel-ready project that will help improve outdoor access in the Taos community? If so, Trails+ grant applications are open until Dec. 31st, 2024. Visit nmoutside.com/grants/trails-plus/ for more in#trailsconnectuse#enchantedcircletrailsr#enchantedcirclei#nmoutdoorsd#nmoutsidet#nmtruem#trailsr#nmtrailsr#taos##NewMexicoe#getoutdoorsdoors ... See MoreSee Less

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