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Camper submitted image from Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot | Dispersed CampingView 5 Photos
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Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot | Dispersed Camping

3 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Free dispersed camping at this BLM trailhead parking lot requires navigating roughly 15 miles of dirt and gravel road, the first four of which are paved. Ruts can be significant, and 4WD is strongly advisable after any rain. The lot itself is flat, fenced, and fully exposed with no shade or vegetation beyond desert scrub. AT&T users have reported 1-2 bars of 5G without a booster. Chaco Culture National Historical Park Gallo Campground sits roughly 7 miles south, making this trailhead a workable base for campers focused on the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness hoodoos who travel in high-clearance or 4WD rigs.

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Map & DirectionsAh-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot | Dispersed Camping is located in New Mexico near Nageezi

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

36.1396727 N
107.9206771 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 11/19/25
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 8/4/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 11/19/25
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 8/4/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Reviews3 Camper Reviews - Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot | Dispersed Camping

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5 Stars

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1 Star

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34%
33%
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3.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

A basic trailhead parking area with rough 4WD-only road access and no amenities. Campers regularly cited challenging driving conditions but appreciated free access to the wilderness area.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed May. 20, 2025

Empty parking lot...

This is a parking lot to access the trail. Nothing there. Just a flat dirt lot surrounded by a wire fence to keep out the horses that wander nearby. I am sure there are cattle around too, that was an easy sign to read. There are no trees or any vegetation other than desert type scrub for as far as the eye can see. You will probably see a couple of vehicles pass by all day. Only redeeming feature is it is free and close to Chaco Canyon.

SiteN/A
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot | Dispersed Camping by Walther D., May 20, 2025
Reviewed Apr. 1, 2025

Washer board road

We didn't stay at this campsite, but it was one we were considering for this adventure and I'm really glad we decided on a different one because we did drive down the road that this is on and it was rough. Our 30ft tow behind would have been completely rearranged. However there were a couple brave vans parked there.

Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Apr. 17, 2023

Small trailhead parking area, but the wilderness does not disappoint

We are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow. We were here for a few days in mid April. The roads in can be pretty rough in places, but not too awful bad in others for dirt and gravel road anyway. I wouldn’t attempt it in anything other than a 4WD if the area were to get any significant rain, as the ruts in the road were pretty significant. There are basically two ways to get here, one is at Nageezi on CR 7800 to NM 57(aka ISR 451 on some maps) from US 550, which is the way we came in. The 1st 4 of the 15 miles are paved, the rest is gravel and/or dirt. I was able to go between 20 and 30 mph most of the way, except in some really rough sections and at a couple of the cow guards. The other way, that BLM suggests on their website https://www.blm.gov/visit/ah-shi-sle-pah-wilderness, is to just take NM 57 off of US 550 several miles north of Nageezi, which we tried on the way out. Parts were better, but most of it was just as bad and a longer drive than CR 7800. The last 5 miles were“paved” or used to be and is some of the worst parts. The entrance to the trailhead is a fairly tight turn from the east, narrow, somewhat U-shaped and sporty(see photo looking NE, which really doesn’t do it justice), but after dropping our tow, we managed to get our 36’ MH up and in on the second attempt. Arriving from the east, I would suggest trying to turn around as we did and entering the trailhead from the west. To get to the wash and hoodoos it’s about a 0.6 mile walk from the trailhead. The trailhead area is nothing special, but the Wilderness Area, wash and hoodoos are really cool.

AT&T coverage was actually quite good, with 1-2 Bars of 5G service and speeds of up to 9 MB/s without a booster. We had an unobstructed view of the sky and so we were able to receive all 3 SW Dish satellites and Starlink had up to 10 MB/s. We didn’t try to load any OTA channels.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot | Dispersed Camping by Ray & Terri F., April 17, 2023
  • Review photo of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot | Dispersed Camping by Ray & Terri F., April 17, 2023
  • Review photo of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trailhead Parking Lot | Dispersed Camping by Ray & Terri F., April 17, 2023
Showing results 1-3 of 3 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What permits are required for camping in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness?

No specific permits are required for dispersed camping at the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness trailhead parking lot. This is Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land with standard dispersed camping regulations. Always practice Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and be prepared to be self-sufficient. Contact the BLM office that manages this area for any updates to regulations before your trip.

How do I find the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness trailhead?

The Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness trailhead is accessible via a dirt and gravel road that can be rough in some sections. A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended, especially if there has been any recent precipitation. The trailhead itself is a flat dirt parking lot surrounded by a wire fence. Look for signs that mark the entrance to the wilderness area. It's advisable to use GPS coordinates and have offline maps available as cell service may be limited in this remote area.

When is the best time to visit Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness?

Spring (particularly mid-April to May) and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for visiting Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. Summer can be extremely hot with no shade available in this treeless desert landscape. Winter visits are possible but colder temperatures and potential precipitation can make road access challenging. Avoid visiting after any rainfall as the dirt access roads can become impassable even with 4WD vehicles. The area has minimal vegetation and no natural shelter, so plan your visit during milder weather seasons.

What geological features can I see at Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness?

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is known for its striking badlands landscape with unique hoodoos, balanced rocks, and eroded sandstone formations. The area features remarkable examples of weathered geological formations in various shapes and colors, similar to a smaller version of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. The stark desert environment offers excellent opportunities for photography, especially during golden hour when the formations cast dramatic shadows. The wilderness provides a surreal, almost otherworldly landscape to explore.

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