A Jaw Dropping Place In New Mexico, This Wilderness Area May Blow You Away
Juliet White
Author
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.
Bisti Badlands & De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area podcast episode
Our staff travel evangelists and Not Your Average Bucket List podcast hosts, Sara and Marisa, spent time exploring the Bisti Badlands and De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. If you’d like to learn more about the incredible rock formations you can find here (as well as other reasons to visit this area of New Mexico), listen along in the episode below:
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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.
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.
For detailed directions to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, click, here. To learn more about the Bisti Badlands & De-Na-Zin Wilderness area, watch our Not Your Average Bucket List podcast episode on YouTube:
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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More to Explore
Little Known Wilderness Area In New Mexico
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.