New Mexico State Road 12 is a primarily west–east state road in western New Mexico

New Mexico

New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...

. The road is 74.3 miles (119.6 km) long and runs from U.S. Route 180

U.S. Route 180

U.S. Route 180 is an east–west United States highway. Like many three-digit routes, US 180 no longer meets its "parent", US 80. US 80 was decommissioned west of Mesquite, Texas, and was replaced in Texas by Interstate 20 and Interstate 10. The highway's eastern terminus is in Hudson Oaks,...

 west of Reserve

Reserve, New Mexico

Reserve is a village in Catron County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 387 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Catron County. Currently the village has several stores, a bar, and a health clinic...

 to U.S. Route 60

U.S. Route 60

U.S. Route 60 is an east–west United States highway, running from the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast in Virginia to western Arizona. Despite the final "0" in its number, indicating a transcontinental designation, the 1926 route formerly ended in Springfield, Missouri, at its intersection...

 in Datil

Datil, New Mexico

Datil is an unincorporated town in Catron County, New Mexico, United States. Located at the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and New Mexico State Road 12, Datil is on the edge of the Cibola National Forest. The Very Large Array is also nearby. Rock climbers are attracted to Datil because it hold the...

. State Road 12 is located entirely within Catron County

Catron County, New Mexico

-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*89.8% White*0.4% Black*2.7% Native American*0.2% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*3.7% Other races*19.0% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

. The road's original alignment ran south from its western terminus to near Mule Creek

Mule Creek, New Mexico

Mule Creek is an unincorporated community in Grant County, New Mexico, United States. Mule Creek is located on New Mexico State Road 78 northwest of Silver City. Mule Creek has a post office with ZIP code 88051....

, but this section was later removed. State Road 12 was paved during the 1950s.

Major intersections

|-
|West of Reserve

Reserve, New Mexico

Reserve is a village in Catron County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 387 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Catron County. Currently the village has several stores, a bar, and a health clinic...

|0
|
|
|-
|Apache Creek

Apache Creek, New Mexico

Apache Creek is an unincorporated community in eastern Catron County, New Mexico, United States. Located three miles northeast of Cruzville, it is located at the convergence of Apache Creek and the Tularosa River. The Apache Creek Pueblo, also called the Apache Creek Ruin, is near the town...

|
|
|
|-
|Datil

Datil, New Mexico

Datil is an unincorporated town in Catron County, New Mexico, United States. Located at the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and New Mexico State Road 12, Datil is on the edge of the Cibola National Forest. The Very Large Array is also nearby. Rock climbers are attracted to Datil because it hold the...

|74.3
|
|