All About the Bisti Badlands / De Na Zin Wilderness

Learn all abut the Bisti Badlands and De Na Zin Wilderness here! From where it is to what to expect to how to pack, it’s all here. Don’t go to the Bisti De Na Zin Wilderness without reading this first!

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When I first saw photos of the Bisti Badlands in New Mexico years ago, I was completely blown away. In fact, that’s an understatement.

As someone who loves wild nature and has always enjoyed road tripping New Mexico, I wasn’t quite sure how I had missed it.

Located in a remote area of northwestern New Mexico, walking through the Bisti De Na Zin Wilderness is like walking on another planet. It is wild, and prehistoric, and utterly beautiful all at once.

I think that the Bisti Badlands and De Na Zin Wilderness are fairly unknown because of how difficult they are to navigate. Here I will do my best to share how to find the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, what to pack, and where to stay when visiting. Let’s dive in!

Visiting the Bisti Badlands / De Na Zin Wilderness

Where Is the Bisti Badlands / De Na Zin Wilderness Area?

First thing to note: the Bisti De Na Zin Wilderness area is in a remote corner of New Mexico. It is about 35 miles south of the small town of Farmington. Anyone traveling to Four Corners or to Aztec Ruins National Monument should definitely add the Bisti Badlands to your itinerary.

The Bisti De Na Zin Wilderness is found on Navajo land. There are a few of such areas in northern New Mexico. The area that we will be covering today contains some of the strangest rock formations, such as the Egg Hatchery, the Pyramid, the Conversing Hoodoos, and my personal favorite, Stone Wings.

Why Is Bisti Badlands so hard to navigate?

I consider myself an experienced hiker with a good sense of direction. I’m pretty good at navigating and orienting myself in the wild. But I have to admit, Bisti Badlands is a challenging spot.

Not because the hikes are treacherous. In fact, hiking within the Bist De Na Zin Wilderness is not all that strenuous. Much of the land is flat.

But what makes hiking here so challenging is the lack of long range visibility. Once you get deeper into the rock formations, it is incredibly easy to get turned around. On my second day within the area, I found myself between endless tall rocks and hills with no visibility of landmarks (like the Pyramid) that had oriented me toward the Badlands entrance.

And, while you can and should download Google Maps to your phone before you go, you definitely cannot rely on this alone. While you can see some of the rock names on Google Maps, you cannot accurately see the wild topography and the huge cliffs you might need to climb to cross certain sections.

Please take this seriously. People do get lost here.

What I recommend, to even experienced hikers, is taking a portable GPS with a built in altimeter and compass. I say it again – the Bisti Badlands are a confusing landscape if you plan to head deep into the wilderness.

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What else to pack:

Hiking the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is challenging, but well worth the effort. Plan ahead on what to pack for this adventure so that you’re well prepared for any and all unexpected surprises.

I have only ever visited Bisti badlands solo and these items are all lifesavers!

When is the best time to visit the Bisti Badlands?

You can visit this area any time of year, but, there are a few things to be aware of.

In the summer months, temperatures can soar over 100° Fahrenheit. There is no real shade on any hike. Your best bet in summer months is to leave around sunrise and avoid the worst heat.

Winters can be chilly, but as long as you layer your clothing There is it isn’t too bad. Not once you get hiking, anyway! Overnight in winter can go well below freezing. My last visit was in mid November and it fell below freezing when the sun was not shining.

Shoulder seasons can be ideal. Note that spring is considered the windy season and sandstorms are common. Fall is often considered the best season to visit for pleasantly cool days.

It doesn’t rain here often, but when it does, it can produce soft washes. The sand becomes slippery. And, some roads might be closed if washed out.

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is open year-round 24/7/365

Can you drive through the Bisti Badlands?

No, you can not drive through Bisti Badlands. While the parking areas are easily accessible by car, you cannot drive in the wilderness. That area must be covered on foot.

Is there cell coverage in Bisti Badlands?

Depending on your carrier and how deep into the wilderness you hike, you may get partial cell signal. Do not expect to have cell service, though. I would say it is spotty at best once you are deeper in the park. Only in certain areas did I notice a strong signal.

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Are there bathrooms in Bisti Badlands?

There are bathrooms available only at designated parking lots. Be sure to use it before you start hiking, because you will not have access to one again until you come back out.

Where to park in Bisti Badlands?

I parked in this designated lot. It is small, and fills up, so arrive early. This is also where the two vault toilets are located.

After parking, you will need to hike across the desert for around 30 minutes or so before reaching any “real” rock formations. It is beautiful and barren.

History and Geology of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness

The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness sprawls across 45,000 acres of rugged wilderness. It is a desolate and barren area of wildly eroded badlands. As soon as you step into Bisti Badlands, you feel like you are standing where dinosaurs once roamed.

And, you’re not wrong. 70 million years ago, the Bisti Badlands was home to many dinosaurs, reptiles, and primitive mammals. Trees once grew here and prehistoric life flourished.

Over time, wind and water erosion created the unique rock formations that you see today – some of the wildest on earth. Today, the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a vast area full of an eerie otherworldliness.

The Bisti Badlands are part of Navajo Nation’s protected lands, and sits up against BLM land. It became a designated Wilderness Area in 1984.

Dinosaurs in the Bisti Badlands

In 1997, Paul Sealey discovered the bones of an early relative of Tyrannosaurus rex right here, in the Bisti Badlands. He was crowned “The Bisti Beast” and has not been found outside of New Mexico.

The 30-foot dinosaur now sits in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, where you can see him today.

Rock Formations in Bisti Badlands

I am going to drop a map of some of the most impressive rock formations in the Bisti Badlands. These are relatively easy to find from the parking lot above. Please remember, a handheld GPS system is really highly recommended to find some of these successfully.

Note that you will have to trek deeper into the Badlands to see many of the others.

The Farmington Museum & Visitor Center carries topographical maps of Bisti, so it is worth stopping here as well.

If you are a geology or hiking nerd like me, you may be interested in the books below:

Other Info on The Bisti Badlands/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is open year-round 24/7/365. But, it is unmanned. There are no rangers and rarely is there cell service, so you really must come prepared.

The best time for hiking, depending on the season, is at sunrise or before sunset. Those who love photography like me will fall in love with the golden hour glow here.

After sunset it gets dark very quickly. Due to the tall rock formations, the sun dips below the horizon earlier than you may expect. It’s easy to get lost so do pack the GPS I keep mentioning as well as a headlamp.

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Where to Stay Near Bisti Badlands?

The closest town to the Bisti Badlands is Farmington. Here you have easy access to the Bisti De Na Zin Wilderness as well as the amenities of a small town (grocery store, drug store, restaurants.)

Hotels near Bisti / De Na Zin:

I have been here a few times now, and these are the hotels I recommend:

Comfort Suites Farmington

I like the location of Comfort Suites Farmington. It was close to some other stops on my list and ideal for Bisti Badlands. Best of all, after exploring in the wilderness all day, you can relax in their indoor pool or grab a snack from their on-site shop. The fast Wifi was perfect for lazy movie nights after days of hiking.

Farifield Inn & Suites

Located on the main road in Farmington, the Fairfield Inn and Suites exceeded expectations. The hotel has a fitness center and an indoor pool and hot tub. The rooms are comfortable and I definitely slept well here!

Want to check all available hotels in Farmington? No problem! Check prices here.

Camping in Bisti Badlands

Camping is allowed in the BLM land near Bisti Badlands. The hard part is, it can be difficult to know where the BLM lands and the Navajo lands begin and end. I did notice a fence in one area but otherwise it is hard to tell.

I would highly recommend checking this website before you camp. You can even contact their office to verify that you are camping on designated land. It will be primitive camping with no facilities, so you will have to bring everything you need.

Note that campfires, climbing on delicate geologic features, and collecting rocks or fossils is strictly prohibited.

For campsites with amenities, the closest option is Moore’s RV Park & Campground in Bloomfield. It is a clean, quiet, and well-maintained campground.

Where To Go Next?

Did you know that you can see Aztec Ruins right here in the USA? Head to Aztec Ruins National Monument next. It is a short drive from the Bisti Badlands.

Or, if you’re hungry for more nature, head south to White Sands National Park. This stop is an absolute MUST if you love the desert! The endless rolling white dunes are surreal.

Or pamper yourself in Santa Fe’s natural hot springs as a reward after all of your Bisti hiking.

Or, if you are on a longer New Mexico road trip, check out all of my resources below.

I can promise you that hiking the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area is an experience you will not soon forget. This has become one of my favorite locations in the entire Amercan Southwest and that is saying a lot!

Enjoy the bisti Badlands and drop any questions below!

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