Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness New Mexico
Explore an alien-like landscape of bizarre rock formations and hoodoos in this remote New Mexico wilderness.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Golden hour light paints the badlands.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness New Mexico
Best Time
Golden hour light paints the badlands.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore an alien-like landscape of bizarre rock formations and hoodoos in this remote New Mexico wilderness.
"This place is magical, a clear plain eye view of the Milky Way at night, great hikes and views."
🗺️ Download Offline Maps
No trails! Use AllTrails or similar apps with downloaded maps & GPS coordinates to avoid getting lost.
💧 Carry Plenty of Water
It's a remote desert. Bring more water than you think you'll need, especially on hot days.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Alien Throne
Bisti Badlands
An iconic, otherworldly rock formation that looks like a sculpted throne, perfect for unique photos.
Valley of Dreams
Bisti Badlands
A surreal landscape filled with bizarre hoodoos and eroded sandstone, resembling a scene from another planet.
Egg Hatchery
Bisti Badlands
A fascinating area featuring clusters of round, cracked sandstone formations that resemble giant eggs.
City of Hoodoos
Bisti Badlands
A dense collection of towering, slender rock spires (hoodoos) creating a dramatic and ancient-looking cityscape.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigate the Unmarked Trails
Prepare for Remote Conditions
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🗺️ Download Offline Maps
No trails! Use AllTrails or similar apps with downloaded maps & GPS coordinates to avoid getting lost.
💧 Carry Plenty of Water
It's a remote desert. Bring more water than you think you'll need, especially on hot days.
👟 Sturdy Hiking Shoes
The terrain is rugged and uneven. Good footwear is essential for safe exploration.
📸 Best for Photography
Sunrise and sunset offer magical light. Bring your camera for otherworldly landscapes.
Tips
from all over the internet
🗺️ Download Offline Maps
No trails! Use AllTrails or similar apps with downloaded maps & GPS coordinates to avoid getting lost.
💧 Carry Plenty of Water
It's a remote desert. Bring more water than you think you'll need, especially on hot days.
👟 Sturdy Hiking Shoes
The terrain is rugged and uneven. Good footwear is essential for safe exploration.
📸 Best for Photography
Sunrise and sunset offer magical light. Bring your camera for otherworldly landscapes.
🚗 High-Clearance Vehicle
Recommended for accessing parking areas, especially after rain.
☀️ Sun Protection is Key
Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The desert sun is intense.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the otherworldly beauty and unique geological formations of Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, calling it a photographer's dream and a magical destination. However, many note the significant challenge of navigating without marked trails and the lack of facilities, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation.
"If you’re unfamiliar with the area but an avid hiker, Bisti Badlands is an amazing area to check out on your own, so long as you’ve come prepared with GPS coordinates, maps, and parking advice. I have no affiliation with it, but we used Firefall Photography’s website for excellent resources on all of that, including pinpoints for the north/south parking areas. As experienced hikers (Grand Canyon, Utah parks, Himalayas, etc.), we know our limitations, including the fact that our GPS apps often make quirky jumps in extremely remote areas, so we tried to pick and choose our priorities, ultimately deciding that we could manage the Bisti portion by ourselves. (We did the De-Na-Zin side the following day, with a guide. We had limited time to explore and didn’t want to waste it false-navigating to permitted parking sites or major landmarks on our own, especially in monsoon season, so we signed up for the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah tour offered by Navajo Wilderness Adventures for that area — absolutely wonderful!) On our independent day at Bisti, we arrived around 3 p.m., and a few sprinkles started just after 7 p.m., cutting off our desire to stay into the golden/blue hours, but it’s worth visiting no matter the time of day. Since we had only one sunrise moment to spend there, we decided to end at Wings, despite having read that the Eggs don’t photograph well in brighter light, and we were pleased with that choice in the end, since we had “near sunset” at the gorgeous hill of wings. Overall, in just under five hours, we made it from the Eggs to the Wings and hit nearly every major formation in between, including the Rock Garden, petrified wood, Hoodoo City, Vanilla Hoodoos, Manta Ray, and more. We found that some of our GPS points didn’t quite match the Firefall map (including at the Beige Hoodoos and Manta Ray), but going armed with general AllTrails locations, Firefall and AllTrails maps, Gaia, and a tiny print map with photos made it all come together, allowing us plenty of time to photograph the landscape from vantages up, down, and all around. The relatively flat terrain made our nine miles of hiking relatively simple (but do avoid it after rain where possible), and it was a fantastic journey — such mesmerizing formations and astounding landscape!"
Path Finder
"Love the Bisti bad lands, just wish it was better marked. We hiked for 4 hours and really enjoyed the landscapes and sites. Even saw 4 Jack rabbits."
Heather Hitchcock
"My favorite destination in the US! Magical terrain, a clear plain eye view of the Milky Way at night, great hikes and views. Plus, it's BLM land and highly less populated than a NP. Two amazing trips there in the past few years, can't wait to get back!"
Grant Hutzel
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is located south of Farmington, New Mexico. Access is typically via County Road 7297, which leads to parking areas. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, especially if roads are wet.
Yes, it's a remote area with no marked trails or signage. Downloading offline maps and GPS coordinates is crucial for navigation.
The most recommended method is to download offline maps from apps like AllTrails, which often include user-submitted GPS points for key formations.
While high-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing parking areas, the wilderness itself is best explored on foot. Driving is not permitted off designated access routes.
It's about 3 hours from Albuquerque and roughly 1 hour from Farmington, New Mexico. 
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and is free to enter. There are no entrance fees or permits required for day use.
As a wilderness area, it is open 24/7. However, visiting during daylight hours is highly recommended for safety and visibility.
No, there are no facilities such as restrooms, water fountains, or visitor centers within the wilderness area. Be prepared to be self-sufficient.
Dispersed camping is generally allowed in BLM lands, but it's essential to follow Leave No Trace principles and check current regulations with the local BLM office.
Spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for hiking. Summers can be extremely hot, and winter can bring snow and icy conditions.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Key formations include the Alien Throne, Valley of Dreams, Egg Hatchery, City of Hoodoos, and the Manta Ray.
Hikes can range from a few hours to a full day, depending on your fitness level and how many formations you want to see. Many visitors spend 4-5 hours exploring.
It can be, but requires careful planning. Young children may find the terrain challenging, and constant supervision is necessary due to the lack of trails and open landscape.
You might spot jackrabbits, various desert reptiles, and birds of prey. Always maintain a safe distance and do not feed wildlife.
While many visitors hike alone, it's recommended to inform someone of your plans and expected return time. Cell service is spotty.
📸 📸 Photography
Sunrise and sunset provide the most dramatic lighting, casting long shadows and highlighting the unique textures of the badlands.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the vast landscapes, while a telephoto lens can isolate interesting formations. A tripod is useful for low-light conditions.
The Alien Throne, Valley of Dreams, Egg Hatchery, and City of Hoodoos are popular subjects. Exploring off the beaten path can reveal hidden gems.
Drone usage is subject to BLM regulations. It's essential to check current rules and restrictions before flying, and always be respectful of other visitors.
Protect your gear from dust and sand. Consider polarizing filters to enhance skies and reduce glare. Be mindful of the harsh midday sun.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
+1 Opt for shorter hikes and focus on a few key formations to avoid overexertion, especially during warmer months. 📸 Photographers
Plan your visit around sunrise and sunset for the most dramatic lighting and to capture the magical glow on the badlands. 🚶♀️ Solo Adventurers
It's crucial to be extra prepared with navigation tools, ample water, and to inform someone of your plans due to limited cell service. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Bisti Badlands
Many reviewers suggest pre-pinpointing specific formations using resources from photography websites or user-generated content to ensure you don't miss the iconic sights like the Alien Throne or Egg Hatchery. For those venturing out, high-clearance vehicles are often recommended for accessing the parking areas, as the dirt roads can be rough.
Despite the navigational challenges, the reward is an unparalleled sense of exploration and the chance to witness truly otherworldly landscapes.
+1 The lack of crowds, compared to national parks, adds to the feeling of discovery. Photography Paradise: Capturing the Otherworldly
The dramatic rock formations, including hoodoos, balanced rocks, and intricate erosional patterns, provide endless opportunities for stunning shots. Photographers often highlight sunrise and sunset as the prime times to visit, as the low-angle light casts long shadows and accentuates the textures and colors of the badlands, creating a truly magical atmosphere. When planning your photography expedition, consider bringing a wide-angle lens to capture the expansive vistas and a telephoto lens to isolate intricate details of the formations.
Popular formations like the Alien Throne, Egg Hatchery, and Valley of Dreams are iconic subjects, but exploring off the beaten path can lead to unique and personal discoveries. Remember that the harsh desert sun can be challenging to work with during midday.
Many photographers recommend visiting during the 'golden hours' for the most impactful shots. Understanding the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Experience
+1However, this remoteness comes with significant challenges. The absence of marked trails is a recurring theme in reviews and social media posts, with many emphasizing the critical need for navigation tools like offline maps and GPS.
Despite these considerations, the experience is overwhelmingly positive for those who come prepared.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit