People often associate the word “badlands” with South Dakota. Few realize that the surreal formations found in this little known wilderness area in New Mexico rival those of Badlands National Park.
This Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, is a place that literally leaves you mesmerized.
Flickr/John Fowler
Flickr/John Fowler
Flickr/Gerald McCollam Roaming across the 41,170 acres of the Bisti Badlands makes you feel like you’ve climbed inside the pages of a fantasy novel.
Flickr/John Fowler
Flickr/Larry Lamsa The land varies from undulating grasslands to hills and rock formations streaked with shades of white, gray, black, and red.
Flickr/Larry Lamsa This wilderness area has a stark yet unique beauty. Some consider it one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico.
Flickr/Ingrid Truemper The land consists of layers of shale, sandstone, mudstone, coal, and silt. Over time, erosion has formed the hoodoos and pinnacles you see today. They are natural wonders in New Mexico you won’t find many other places.
Flickr/Ingrid Truemper Some of the shapes resemble mushrooms…
Flickr/John Fowler …Others look more like eggs, or perhaps flower buds beginning to bloom.
Flickr/Stephan Between 70-54 million years ago, this was swampland and dinosaurs inhabited the area. Scientists have unearthed numerous fossils here.
Flickr/Sandy Horvath-Dori Today you’re more likely to encounter raptors and other birds of prey, along with small animals and reptiles.
Flickr/Ingrid Truemper This is BLM land and it truly is a wilderness. There are no marked trails, just washes like this one.
Follow Gateway Wash from the parking lot into the badlands.
After a short hike down a slope, you are free to delve into Bisti’s hidden world.
Please don’t climb on the fragile formations or remove any petrified wood.
Flickr/John Fowler It’s a good idea to bring plenty of water, food, layers of clothing, and sunscreen. Since there are literally no services available, you need to pack in and pack out.
The roads in are gravel and – in one section – essentially packed sand. Don’t attempt to visit Bisti when the weather is bad and make a note of directions before you start out because you’re likely to lose cell reception before arrival.
Going completely off-grid is part of the appeal of this place.
Flickr/John Fowler The wilderness area is free and always open. If you are interested in hiking in New Mexico, this should definitely be on your list.
For detailed directions to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, click, here.
Flickr/John Fowler
Flickr/Gerald McCollam
Roaming across the 41,170 acres of the Bisti Badlands makes you feel like you’ve climbed inside the pages of a fantasy novel.
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
The land varies from undulating grasslands to hills and rock formations streaked with shades of white, gray, black, and red.
This wilderness area has a stark yet unique beauty. Some consider it one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico.
Flickr/Ingrid Truemper
The land consists of layers of shale, sandstone, mudstone, coal, and silt. Over time, erosion has formed the hoodoos and pinnacles you see today. They are natural wonders in New Mexico you won’t find many other places.
Some of the shapes resemble mushrooms…
…Others look more like eggs, or perhaps flower buds beginning to bloom.
Flickr/Stephan
Between 70-54 million years ago, this was swampland and dinosaurs inhabited the area. Scientists have unearthed numerous fossils here.
Flickr/Sandy Horvath-Dori
Today you’re more likely to encounter raptors and other birds of prey, along with small animals and reptiles.
This is BLM land and it truly is a wilderness. There are no marked trails, just washes like this one.
Follow Gateway Wash from the parking lot into the badlands.
After a short hike down a slope, you are free to delve into Bisti’s hidden world.
Please don’t climb on the fragile formations or remove any petrified wood.
It’s a good idea to bring plenty of water, food, layers of clothing, and sunscreen. Since there are literally no services available, you need to pack in and pack out.
The roads in are gravel and – in one section – essentially packed sand. Don’t attempt to visit Bisti when the weather is bad and make a note of directions before you start out because you’re likely to lose cell reception before arrival.
Going completely off-grid is part of the appeal of this place.
The wilderness area is free and always open. If you are interested in hiking in New Mexico, this should definitely be on your list.
This video shows you what it’s like to hike through this incredible wilderness.
Did you know about this otherworldly place in New Mexico? Have you been there? Discover more incredible places for hiking in New Mexico by clicking the link.
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Address: Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, County Road 7297, Bloomfield, NM 87413, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Little Known Wilderness Area In New Mexico March 17, 2020 Leah Does New Mexico have any natural wonders? Along with this place, there are quite a few natural wonders in New Mexico. The Carlsbad Caverns, located near Carlsbad, NM, are considered to be one of the most extensive cave systems in the entire world. One of the biggest rooms in the cave is over 250 feet high - and it’s incredible to see in person. The La Ventana Arch, found near Grants, NM, is a massive and stunning natural rock arch that’s part of the El Malpais National Monument. It’s quite impressive to see in person, especially when the light is hitting it in the perfect way. What are the best hikes with a view in New Mexico? If you’re looking for more great spots for hiking in New Mexico, you’re in luck. Hike through New Mexico’s beautiful Gila National Forest on the 3.5-mile Dragonfly Trail, which will take you on a path through tons of flowers that attract dragonflies, hence the name. The Nambe Falls Trail in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is absolutely stunning with great views of the falls and an upper trail that’ll give you the perfect vantage point of the mountains. If you’re hiking in the fall, take the Aspen Vista Trail in the Santa Fe National Forest for the ultimate sight of the colorful fall foliage. Which state parks should I visit in New Mexico? This little known wilderness area in New Mexico is just one of many great places to explore some of the state’s natural wonders. There are many great state parks that highlight the various parts of NM, such as the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park near Las Cruces, which is great for wildlife viewing while hiking the wetlands. The Bottomless Lakes State Park, located close to Roswell, is just as enchanting as it sounds. It has gorgeous sinkhole lakes surrounded by rugged, colorful terrain. The spot is perfect for water recreation of all kinds.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Little Known Wilderness Area In New Mexico
March 17, 2020
Leah
Does New Mexico have any natural wonders? Along with this place, there are quite a few natural wonders in New Mexico. The Carlsbad Caverns, located near Carlsbad, NM, are considered to be one of the most extensive cave systems in the entire world. One of the biggest rooms in the cave is over 250 feet high - and it’s incredible to see in person. The La Ventana Arch, found near Grants, NM, is a massive and stunning natural rock arch that’s part of the El Malpais National Monument. It’s quite impressive to see in person, especially when the light is hitting it in the perfect way. What are the best hikes with a view in New Mexico? If you’re looking for more great spots for hiking in New Mexico, you’re in luck. Hike through New Mexico’s beautiful Gila National Forest on the 3.5-mile Dragonfly Trail, which will take you on a path through tons of flowers that attract dragonflies, hence the name. The Nambe Falls Trail in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is absolutely stunning with great views of the falls and an upper trail that’ll give you the perfect vantage point of the mountains. If you’re hiking in the fall, take the Aspen Vista Trail in the Santa Fe National Forest for the ultimate sight of the colorful fall foliage. Which state parks should I visit in New Mexico? This little known wilderness area in New Mexico is just one of many great places to explore some of the state’s natural wonders. There are many great state parks that highlight the various parts of NM, such as the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park near Las Cruces, which is great for wildlife viewing while hiking the wetlands. The Bottomless Lakes State Park, located close to Roswell, is just as enchanting as it sounds. It has gorgeous sinkhole lakes surrounded by rugged, colorful terrain. The spot is perfect for water recreation of all kinds.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Along with this place, there are quite a few natural wonders in New Mexico. The Carlsbad Caverns, located near Carlsbad, NM, are considered to be one of the most extensive cave systems in the entire world. One of the biggest rooms in the cave is over 250 feet high - and it’s incredible to see in person. The La Ventana Arch, found near Grants, NM, is a massive and stunning natural rock arch that’s part of the El Malpais National Monument. It’s quite impressive to see in person, especially when the light is hitting it in the perfect way.
What are the best hikes with a view in New Mexico?
If you’re looking for more great spots for hiking in New Mexico, you’re in luck. Hike through New Mexico’s beautiful Gila National Forest on the 3.5-mile Dragonfly Trail, which will take you on a path through tons of flowers that attract dragonflies, hence the name. The Nambe Falls Trail in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is absolutely stunning with great views of the falls and an upper trail that’ll give you the perfect vantage point of the mountains. If you’re hiking in the fall, take the Aspen Vista Trail in the Santa Fe National Forest for the ultimate sight of the colorful fall foliage.
Which state parks should I visit in New Mexico?
This little known wilderness area in New Mexico is just one of many great places to explore some of the state’s natural wonders. There are many great state parks that highlight the various parts of NM, such as the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park near Las Cruces, which is great for wildlife viewing while hiking the wetlands. The Bottomless Lakes State Park, located close to Roswell, is just as enchanting as it sounds. It has gorgeous sinkhole lakes surrounded by rugged, colorful terrain. The spot is perfect for water recreation of all kinds.
