Fort Bayard - Sign posts located on Hwy 180 make the Dragonfly Trail Head one of the easiest trail heads to find in the area! Leaving from the North parking lot, the ‘Dragonfly Loop’ can be taken in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Should you hike counter clockwise, look for a sign asking ‘Who passed this way?’ attached to a tree. You’ll pass it between mile two and three. When you see it, look to your right and walk towards the large rock outcropping. Some of the rock art is more objective, some more subjective but everyone agrees it’s a very special spot!
The Big Tree is another popular hike in this area. You’ll want to start the hike from the Forest Service Administration Area, located about three miles North of old Fort Bayard. While driving through the fort, be sure to stop and read the information signs located around the roadways. Once you arrive at the Administration Site Trail Head parking lot, hike straight West and follow the sign at the Big Tree Trail turn off. There’s a nice picnic bench underneath the Big Tree! If you decide to hike further, continue hiking North from the tree and you’ll eventually come across a water pipe which provided the first running water to the earliest mining communities in the area!