Coming out of the mountains in the fall of ‘24, we needed to stop in Farmington, New Mexico. Tad Cooper needed a checkup. One of the places we stayed, and a contender for the short list of “places we want to go back to,” would be the Bisti Badlands Wilderness Area.
While managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bisti Badlands doesn’t have dispersed camping options. It’s accessed by a trailhead-style parking lot that allows 14-day camping. The lot is plenty large enough to handle several rigs, horse trailers, and day-trippers at once.
The badlands themselves are one of the most unique hiking experiences we’ve had to date. The area is composed of layers of coal, shale, mudstone, and sandstone, leaving the whole area unique with fantastical natural features with similarly unique names. The kids took trips into the badlands nearly every day we were there, and as a family, we made an easy 10-mile loop through several of the named features, like the hatchery and the rock garden.
Preparing for Bisti Badlands
There are no facilities when you visit the Bisti Badlands. This includes water, so be sure to bring your own and plenty of it. The area can get very hot, even during the early fall when we visited, and the dry winds blow constantly. We had more than one instance of hot, underprepared hikers sheltering in the shade of our bus. Lucky for them, we carry 200 gallons and could easily spare them a glass or two!
Mom here: It would also be really easy to get lost in the badlands. While the rock formations are all unique, they start to look similar and it can be difficult to tell when you’re retracing your steps. When we went as a family, both Dad and I had our phones and were able to keep track of where we were and where our bus was. Our dog is also decent at figuring out where “home” is. However, I have no idea how our kids never got lost. They have watches and we can track them with them, but we didn’t have to.
If you want to visit the Bisti Badlands, be sure to be prepared with plenty of water. Salty snacks and sun protection are also important. A big hat, a light, sleeved shirt, and sunglasses will help ensure a delightful visit. You’ll probably end up clambering up and down the rock formations, so be sure to wear sturdy hiking boots that you have already broken in. Stay safe and enjoy the views!
