The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a United States government agency that was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1946. The organization oversees nearly 250 million acres of public lands within the United States, including 2,400 miles of rivers, thousands of miles of trails, 221 wilderness areas, and more than 400 campgrounds. Located in the state of New Mexico, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is a unique area that boasts outstanding and otherworldly scenery. Although there are minimal trails and scarce water sources, the gorgeous multicolored badlands, tall rock spires, dinosaur fossils, and clay hills more than make up for it. You don’t have to go too far to visit one of the country’s outstanding national parks. Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is within 240 miles of four designated national parks. Canyonlands National Park is 238 miles outside of the wilderness area, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is 214 miles away. You will only need to drive about 194 miles to get to Petrified Forest National Park and 127 miles to get to Mesa Verde National Park.
With a modest elevation of 144 feet, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trail is a popular hiking destination. Hikers are treated to views of the beautiful badlands and stunning desert landscapes. Keep in mind that this is an off-trail, unestablished path. Length: 2.7 miles Intensity: Easy
Similar to Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trail, the Valley of Dreams Loop provides alluring extraterrestrial scenery. Located less than six miles away in the nearby Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, this sandy route features breathtaking rock formations made of sandstone, mudstone, and silt. Length: 3.7 miles Intensity: Intermediate
Juan’s Lake in San Juan County, New Mexico appears to be the only fishing spot within 50 miles of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. However, there are more significant fishing and boating options about 78 miles away at Navajo Lake. Serving as New Mexico’s second-largest lake, Navajo Lake is stocked with catfish, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, pike, and more. Boating activities include sailing, wakeboarding, pontoon boating, and water skiing.
Huérfano Mountain is a sacred mountain within the Navajo culture. The peak rises to an impressive 7,441 feet and consists of sandstone that dates as far back as 33 million years. This steep peak, which is located less than 30 miles away from Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, is a great option for adventurous mountain climbers.
There doesn’t appear to be any notable wildlife viewing opportunities within 50 miles of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, but you can find some about 77 miles away at Navajo Lake State Park. Here, you will find bald eagles, mountain bluebirds, American bullfrogs, sagebrush lizards, gopher snakes, wild turkeys, and much more.
Salmon Park in Bloomfield, New Mexico is the perfect picnicking spot. The park is just 50 miles away from Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness and features over a dozen picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, and concrete tennis courts. The city of Bloomfield houses several other picnicking areas, including Lybertree Park, Qwest Park, and Vereda Rio De San Juan Park.
Horse Thief Campground is a dry camp that’s ideal for extreme nature lovers. The camp, which is just 20 miles away from Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, doesn’t provide any electricity or running water. However, generators are welcome. The campground can accommodate RVs of just about any size. If you’re looking for a campground with more amenities, take a 53-mile drive to Moore’s RV Park and Campground. The facility provides an on-site camp store, full hookups, a swimming pool, laundry services, fire pits, and much more. To find nearby Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, do a search for “BLM camping near me.”
There don't appear to be any free camping sites within 50 miles of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. However, there are some about 72 miles away at the Brown Springs Campground. This Bureau of Land Management free camping option provides RV sites, tent sites, ADA access, and a variety of basic amenities. Some of these amenities include restroom facilities, picnic tables, and fire rings. Electrical hookups and water services are not available.
In order to access certain parts of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, you will likely have to drive or walk through designated Native American lands. Please be respectful of the crops, animals, private property, and people that you may encounter.
Because much of the ground and roads within the wilderness are clay-based, they can easily become impassable after moderate or hard rains. Therefore, it’s best not to visit the area after a recent rain or precipitation event.
Although hiking opportunities are available, the trails within Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness are undeveloped. Therefore, it can be easy to get lost if you stray too far off of the suggested paths. Bring along a GPS or compass as an added precaution.
Shady areas are almost nonexistent. If you will be visiting during the summer months, make sure you wear lightweight clothing and wear a hat that’s large enough to provide adequate coverage.
There are no basic facilities in the wilderness. Come prepared with all the necessary equipment.
Make sure you have enough drinking water.
Summer days in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness may reach upwards of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The fall and spring months are fairly mild with highs averaging anywhere from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter, temperatures could drop well under 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness offers a unique outdoor experience filled with unusual rock formations, alien-like landscapes, and sporadic vegetation. Whether you want to enjoy a day of hiking, exploring, or picture-taking, this magnificent wilderness is the perfect choice. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Although the BLM agency works diligently to preserve all of the public lands under its jurisdiction, it is the responsibility of every visitor to abide by the required and recommended outdoor ethics. Clean up and properly dispose of all trash and waste following the "Leave No Trace" guidelines. Only travel on durable surfaces. As a safety measure, make sure to keep all campfires contained in their designated areas.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is almost a straight shot from Bloomfield, New Mexico. Starting in Bloomfield, take US-550 S for about 36.3 miles. Once you get to the town of Nageezi, New Mexico, follow Rd 7800. Continue down Rd 7800 for 27 miles until you get to NM-57. Make a left onto NM-57. Your destination will be on your right. Address: Farmington Field Office, 6251 College Blvd. Suite A, Farmington, NM 87402 Ready to visit Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
