The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area might not be exactly what you picture when thinking of beautiful natural landscapes. You won’t find lush forests or pristine lakes there. Instead, this gem of New Mexico offers over 40,000 acres of fascinating, almost alien rock formations.
Adventurers planning to explore these curious landscapes must come prepared. While the region isn’t exactly uncharted territory, visitors can expect to lose cell service as they trek into the wilderness. Those who successfully complete a journey into the badlands will be rewarded with unforgettable views. Plan your trip with this Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness guide, and preview some of the scenery that awaits you.
What is the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area?
The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area is a badlands region managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Characterized by various unique rock formations, the destination resides within San Juan County, New Mexico, west of the Navajo Nation. Tourists visit the site for hiking, primitive camping, photography, and fossil research opportunities.
Geological wonders make the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area a special place for outdoorsy explorers. Guests can find everything from red-orange hues spilling down rounded rock formations to weird stone towers looking out over the land. According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the region’s name comes from these rocky landscapes.
“Translated from the Navajo language, Bisti (Bis-tie) means “a large area of shale hills.” De-Na-Zin (Deh-nah-zin) takes its name from the Navajo words for “cranes,”” the BLM explains on its website.
Trip planning tips
While the area charges no entrance fees and is open year-round, potential visitors should still carefully plan their trip. Here are some key facts to keep in mind.
The local climate makes late spring, early summer, and fall the most popular times to visit the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. No matter when you visit, prepare for little to no shade by bringing plenty of sunscreen and water. There are no water sources in the area, so all guests need to haul a good amount of water with them.
Two main trailheads (Bisti Trailhead and De-Na-Zin Trailhead) will lead adventurers to parking lots and walking paths. Although Google Maps does offer directions into the area, coverage can be spotty. Stay on the right track by bringing a reliable GPS tracker, packing a map, and/or printing out directions.
The best local attractions and tour guides
Now for the fun stuff. Gorgeous rock arches, hoodoos, petrified wood, fossils, and canyons are the sights that draw travelers to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. This BLM map provides an overview of the land but little detail on specific landmarks. For information on points of interest like the Manta Ray, Cracked Eggs, or Hoodoo City, check out AllTrails and this map from the Farmington Museum & Visitor Center.
Want to go on a more in-depth trip through the badlands? Navajo Tours USA’s “Bisti Wilderness Adventure” gives visitors a guided experience through the region. Look forward to a day of sightseeing and learning about Indigenous and local history.