Part of the Bureau of Land Management's Farmington Field Office, Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area operates as a free dispersed camping destination where visitors park overnight at the trailhead before exploring the otherworldly badlands formations. The camping area centers around a parking lot with pit toilets and a covered pavilion featuring three picnic tables and a grill.
Most campers set up in the main parking area, though tent campers often venture into the surrounding BLM boundaries for more secluded spots. A small stream meanders around the picnic area, leaving white crusty deposits on nearby vegetation. Vivian M. notes you can "park overnight at trailhead when planning a day hike." Cell coverage varies by carrier, with some campers reporting good AT&T and Verizon reception while others lose signal once leaving the paved highway.
The wilderness area lacks marked trails to its famous hoodoos and rock formations, so downloading maps beforehand proves essential for navigation. Road access requires attention to directions, as GPS systems sometimes provide confusing routing from nearby areas. Several reviewers mention the bathrooms stay clean and well-stocked, though there's no water or trash collection available.
For those wanting developed amenities, Angel Peak Scenic Area provides a more structured camping experience about 20 miles northeast.
Description
The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a rolling landscape of badlands which offers some of the most unusual scenery found in the Four Corners Region. Time and natural elements have etched a fantasy world of strange rock formations made of interbedded sandstone, shale, mudstone, coal, and silt. The weathering of the sandstone forms hoodoos - weathered rock in the form of pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, and other unusual forms. Fossils occur in this sedimentary landform. 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". Because of the climate, most of the visits occur in the late spring/early summer and in the fall. Since this is a Wilderness Area, it is closed to motorized vehicles and mechanical forms of transportation (mountain bikes included). Also prohibited are campfires, collecting fossils or petrified wood, climbing on delicate geologic features, traveling in groups of more than eight people, and trespassing on adjacent tribal lands. Permits are required for uses such as grazing, scientific research, and commercial guiding. Though these trailheads are off regularly maintained roads, they are not paved. County Road 7500 can become extremely slick and impassible when wet. Conditions of roads can change at any time due to weather. Drivers should avoid dirt roads during rain or snow. Drivers should be cautious of wash-out following rain or snowmelt. Though camping in the Wilderness is a rewarding experience, there are no water sources. Visitors must carry all the water they will need for the duration of the trip.
Fee Info
None.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Dispersed CampingBisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area is located in New Mexico
Directions
Bisti Access Parking: To reach the Bisti Access Parking Area, Drive NM 371 just under 36 miles south of Farmington (from the San Juan River crossing) or just under 45 miles north of Crownpoint (from the intersection of 371 and Navajo Service Route 9), and turn east on Road 7297 (a gravel road). Drive Road 7297 for approximately 2 miles to a T-intersection and turn left. Drive just under one mile to the Bisti Access Parking Area, which is just south of a broad wash on the east side of the road. There is another, smaller parking area 1/4 mile further north. De-Na-Zin Trailhead: To reach the De-Na-Zin access, Drive NM 371 approximately 43 3/4 miles south of Farmington (from the San Juan River crossing) or approximately 37 1/4 miles north of Crownpoint (from the intersection of 371 and Navajo Service Route 9), and turn east on County Road 7500. Drive approximately 13 1/4 miles on Road 7500 to the De-Na-Zin parking area (on the left side of the road). Alternatively, drive US 550, 4 miles north of NM 57, and turn west onto County Road 7500. Drive approximately 11 1/4 miles to the De-Na-Zin parking area (on the right side of the road). A trail leads from the parking area approximately 3/4 mile to the De-Na-Zin Wash.
Coordinates
36.30331425 N
108.11517975 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileLTESome Coverage
VerizonNo Coverage- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 users
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 users
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
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
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 2 min from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 37 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 1 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 5 hrs 31 min from Grand Junction, CO
