NMBR

new mexico back roads overland tours

About Jake Quiñones & NMBR

The Southwest's Premiere 4WD Outfitter/Guide

new mexico backroads tours Jake Quinoñes

Jake Quiñones is founder and owner of New Mexico Black Range [NMBR].

NMBR provides professional four-wheel drive and overland [based] guiding, tours, scouting, skills training and photography services to a host of enthusiasts, companies, and government agencies.

Jake is a New Mexico native and has been familiar with the path less traveled since childhood.

Some of his earliest memories include riding shotgun in his Dad’s Bronco while traversing the Great Divide Trail, and sleeping under the stars in Denali National Park. Whether it’s guiding American Expedition Vehicles [AEV] on a week-long traverse of the Gila, providing training to U.S. Forest Service in Arizona, or scouting a route along the Borderland for an upcoming Overland Journal story, Jake’s expertise centers on vehicle-based exploration.

Each year, Jake logs over 15,000-miles in the NMBR Recon and NMBR Prospector navigating the backroads of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and West Texas. His passion for untamed territory, adventure, and raw experiences, depicted in his photography and writing, evokes the human desire to explore.

Jake Quinones 4wd training new mexico

His passion for untamed territory, adventure, and raw experiences, depicted in his photography and writing, evokes the human desire to explore.

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NMBR Reviews

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The Gila Legends Expedition: For those who aren’t familiar, this five-day event leads participants over 375 miles of backroads with elevations ranging from 4,300 to 9,600 feet. Along the way they are greeted by stunning […]

Chris C - Overland International

Chris C - Overland International

The Gila Legends Expedition: For those who aren’t familiar, this five-day event leads participants over 375 miles of backroads with elevations ranging from 4,300 to 9,600 feet. Along the way they are greeted by stunning vistas, multiple water crossings, historic land marks, and plenty of wildlife including possible sightings of Mexican Grey Wolf. Jake Quinones, your guide, also keeps things interesting with facts on local culture, tales from the region’s natives, and even some personal stories from his own family’s background. For those looking to experience the real New Mexico, this trip is just about the best place to start.

Pat Bowen review

This was my 2nd trip with NMBR. Will do many more, I hope. Jake runs this like it should be run. Great guy and knows the area. Long days and lots of driving makes sleeping […]

Pat B

Pat B

This was my 2nd trip with NMBR. Will do many more, I hope. Jake runs this like it should be run. Great guy and knows the area. Long days and lots of driving makes sleeping at night easy.

One of the best parts of the trip is It brings you together with people that like the same thing as you. Great guide and great people make this trip worth going. Got to see parts of NM and AZ that not many people get to see.

Scott Corliss review

NMBR Guide Services are exceptional. Jake's knowledge of the areas and his experience overlanding are unsurpassed.

Scott C

Scott C

NMBR Guide Services are exceptional. Jake's knowledge of the areas and his experience overlanding are unsurpassed.

Eric Brown review

I went on a four day New Mexico BackRoads Overland trip, dubbed the Camino del Tesoro guided by Jake Quinones. While I grew up around 4x4 trucks, dirt bikes, family camping and some backpacking, however […]

Eric B

Eric B

I went on a four day New Mexico BackRoads Overland trip, dubbed the Camino del Tesoro guided by Jake Quinones. While I grew up around 4x4 trucks, dirt bikes, family camping and some backpacking, however nothing compared to this experience.

We met up in Chamas NM with four other folks in three other Jeeps. I was a little intimidated, or nervous about the trip. Jake takes preparation to overland trips to a pretty organized level. On top of that, camping out in the wilderness with people I didn’t know, post fifty years old was a little nerving.

With that, the trip couldn’t have been more enjoyable. Although we experienced heavy rain the first night, I was comfortable and dry, and the beating rain provided me a soothing slumber. The next morning skies were brilliant, and the fall colors were spectacular.

Overall the trip far exceeded my expectations, and Jake is the Real Deal Backcountry Overland guy.

I recently went on Jake's ghost divide expedition after attending the overland expo. While the expo was educational for me, it was not that enjoyable (very cold and windy). However the ghost divide expedition more […]

Rosa W

Rosa W

I recently went on Jake's ghost divide expedition after attending the overland expo. While the expo was educational for me, it was not that enjoyable (very cold and windy). However the ghost divide expedition more then made up for it. We drove through what I think is some of the most beautiful landscape in the southwest on dirt roads and double track. Every campsite was more scenic then the last. Several times a day Jake would talk about either relevant history or overloading technique. Not only enjoyable, but highly informative. I plan to do another one of his trips in the fall.

Cherie Herndon review

There are many words that can describe a Trip with NMBR and Jake, but my favorite one is PHENOMENAL! I can not say it loud enough. From the very moment that you book your trip […]

Cherie H

Cherie H

There are many words that can describe a Trip with NMBR and Jake, but my favorite one is PHENOMENAL! I can not say it loud enough. From the very moment that you book your trip until LONG afterwards, Jake makes you feel like family. We received an A to Z list regarding our trip and how to be successful as well as comfortable. There are checklists, a safety list as well as various articles concerning the trip.

The places we were and camped at we would NEVER have seen, as Jake took us on the roads less traveled and introduced us to a side of New Mexico we truly did not know existed. Jake tells some of the history of the lands you travel and peaks your curiosity so much so we had to head to the bookstore to quench our thirst for more information of the areas we traveled.

The scenery is fabulous , the stories are abundant and fascinating, the laughs are numerous and you find lifetime friends. NO MATTER what you drive you have to experience on of these trips!! A BUCKET LIST MUST This was our second trip with NMBR and I promise you we will be dreaming of the next trip just as we are. Thanks Jake for an amazing trip!!! We can not wait until l next year!!

Jon Solberg review

Had a blast with my dad who’s 70 years old! Thanks for the epic overland trip!

Jon S

Jon S

Had a blast with my dad who’s 70 years old! Thanks for the epic overland trip!

Bill Alvarez review

Attended the 3 day 2019 Summer overland training. The instruction and information provided was thorough and well thought out, obviously the result of years of experience. This training gave me a solid foundation for my […]

Bill A

Bill A

Attended the 3 day 2019 Summer overland training. The instruction and information provided was thorough and well thought out, obviously the result of years of experience. This training gave me a solid foundation for my future overlanding adventures and I would definitely recommend it for anyone interested in overlanding.

Asif review

Did a recent trip with Jake in Gila wilderness, I was super nervous about the trip but after meeting and talking to Jake I was confident that trip would go flawlessly and it sure did! […]

Asif H

Asif H

Did a recent trip with Jake in Gila wilderness, I was super nervous about the trip but after meeting and talking to Jake I was confident that trip would go flawlessly and it sure did!

He has such extensive knowledge of all things 4 wheeling that one immediately feels at ease with the whole process. To top it off he is an amazing human being and a consummate professional. The key aspect of this training is attention to detail and safety. There is never any compromise on safety. If I have another opportunity I would love to do another trip under his guidance.

NMBR is a premier guiding outfit. Go NMBR!

Bart Turecki review

We did the River to Sky Expedition with my 13 year old daughter and absolutely loved it! Such a great adventure. Perfect group size. Jake is a total perfectionist. Everything about the trip was great. […]

Bart T

Bart T

We did the River to Sky Expedition with my 13 year old daughter and absolutely loved it! Such a great adventure. Perfect group size. Jake is a total perfectionist. Everything about the trip was great. The route was spectacular, leading you through the hills and rivers of Northern New Mexico, vast open spaces of Taos Plateau, and alpine scenery of San Juan Mountains. Camping spots were carefully chosen in scenic and remote places.Great group of otherwise random people, quickly becoming overlanding friends.

Multiple tips about basic car preparation, maintenance and wilderness preparedness were definitely a plus. Really impressed with how the Tread Lightly principles were emphasized throughout the trip. Will be coming back for more!

Kelly Briarton review

Hands down, best guide in New Mexico. We had an amazing overlanding experience through a beautiful part of New Mexico. The amount of education during the trip will not be found elsewhere.

Kelly B

Kelly B

Hands down, best guide in New Mexico. We had an amazing overlanding experience through a beautiful part of New Mexico. The amount of education during the trip will not be found elsewhere.

Tyler Smith review

I went on NMBR's 3 day Gila Overland trip and I can't say enough good things about it. Jake is extremely knowledgeable in all things overlanding, camping, New Mexico, and the wilderness in general. He […]

Tyler S

Tyler S

I went on NMBR's 3 day Gila Overland trip and I can't say enough good things about it. Jake is extremely knowledgeable in all things overlanding, camping, New Mexico, and the wilderness in general. He is very easy to get along with and takes his job as a guide seriously. I always felt comfortable with him leading the way.

The days are filled with 4x4 driving, sightseeing, learning about the history of the area, and vehicle maintenance. I highly recommend NMBR to anybody who is considering it.

Christa Pirl review

Jake is a great guide and a true professional. Our five day trip through the Gila proceeded flawlessly. Jake's help with pre-trip planning allowed to arrive prepared and confident. My husband and I look very […]

Christa P

Christa P

Jake is a great guide and a true professional. Our five day trip through the Gila proceeded flawlessly. Jake's help with pre-trip planning allowed to arrive prepared and confident. My husband and I look very much forward to our next trip with Jake!

Jens Johanson review

I went on the 5 day 500mile Ghost Divide with Jake and NWBR's and had a blast! Jake is the real deal, you will really enjoy it!

Jens J

Jens J

I went on the 5 day 500mile Ghost Divide with Jake and NWBR's and had a blast! Jake is the real deal, you will really enjoy it!

Ryan Burris review

Upon first glance, you might be tempted to be skeptical or even dismissive of nothing but 5-star reviews on here, but let me just clarify that there is a very good reason for that. Jake […]

Ryan B

Ryan B

Upon first glance, you might be tempted to be skeptical or even dismissive of nothing but 5-star reviews on here, but let me just clarify that there is a very good reason for that. Jake has to be one of the most relaxed professionals in the overlanding and guiding industry.

I have always enjoyed road trips and overland travel in the wide open west. Combine that with his passion for his backyard, the Gila National Forest of which he enjoyed growing up, shining through in the historical anecdotes, and it just adds richness and enjoyment to the whole experience. He has a precise attention to detail, and you will see this in the extensive pre-trip preparations, whether through carefully constructed articles or simple advice to make the trip safer and more enjoyable.

He was always available and gladly willing to help, whether I needed some adjustments under the hood, or there was a better way to secure my shovel on my tire carrier. His guidance is not just about how to overland travel, but how to do it WELL. I have not only gained valuable overlanding knowledge and attention to detail from him, I have also gained a long-distance friendship that I intend to maintain.

I will absolutely be returning for a new journey on New Mexico Backroads. If you ever have had interest in how to properly go about self-sufficient overland travel, with a pressure-free and supportive small group, this is it.

Dennis Liddy review

Thank you Jake for a wonderful back road experience. The Camino del Tesoro trip was so well planned, right down to the leaf changes in Sangre de Cristo's; I am still wondering how you did […]

Dennis L

Dennis L

Thank you Jake for a wonderful back road experience. The Camino del Tesoro trip was so well planned, right down to the leaf changes in Sangre de Cristo's; I am still wondering how you did that trick. You are a true professional and look forward to another NMBR adventure.

Read the full reviews

Go Boldly, Prepared, and with Confidence - Go with NMBR!

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