The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
At Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, you'll find rolling badland escarpments offering some of the most unique sceneries in the Four Corners Region. The Bureau of Land Management, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior that protects American wild spaces, manages this 45,000-acre wilderness. The area is ideal for various recreational activities like hiking, wildlife viewing, fossil collection, picnicking, photography, and more. BLM sites are also known for having remarkable RV camping opportunities, which is precisely what the Bisti/De-Na-Zin wilderness offers. Dispersed camping is possible in the wilderness, and Gallo Campground is nearby for RVers who prefer Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. You won't have to travel long if you want to have fun at some beautiful national parks while RV camping at the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. Drive 123 miles north to explore Mesa Verde National Park's well-kept Puebloan cliff dwellings, archaeological museum, hiking trails, and overlooks. Alternatively, you can go to White Sands National Park, about 381 miles south, to sled down white dunes, hike its trails, and embark on equestrian rides. Look up "BLM camping near me" to find BLM sites in your location.
Enjoy hiking this loop trail traversing the wilderness area. It has a maximum elevation gain of about 200 feet and offers beautiful badland vistas. Length: 5.5 miles Intensity: Easy
This loop allows hikers to see wildlife living in the wilderness area. It also has breathtaking views worth photographing. Length: 3.7 miles Intensity: Moderate
Explore this out-and-back trail cutting through a large area of unusual rock formations. Its terrain is mainly flat and easy to hike. Length: 2.8 miles Intensity: Easy
Hikers looking for a difficult but rewarding hike should try this trail. It boasts beautiful views and cuts through desert-wash vegetation and terrain. Length: 3.1 miles Intensity: Difficult
Catch stunning badland views along this rugged terrain snaking through an expansive area of shrubs and hoodoos. Length: 7.1 miles Intensity: Moderate
This BLM site is home to a variety of wildlife species. Coyotes, foxes, prairie dogs, porcupines, cottontail rabbits, and pronghorns are common animals in the area. Look out for prairie falcons, doves, golden eagles, quails, ferruginous hawks, ravens, and other birds calling the wilderness home.
Picnicking is possible at Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. The designated picnic areas include picnic tables, seats, and fire grills.
The Bisti and De-Na-Zin Badlands are rich in fossils from the Late Cretaceous Era. Apply for a fossil collection permit to engage in collecting fossil remains belonging to plants, reptiles, and dinosaurs.
BLM RV camping is possible at Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. Gallo Campground, which accommodates both tents and RV trailers, offers RV camping opportunities throughout the year. This campground comes with many amenities, including a dump station, picnic tables, fire grills, restrooms, and potable water.
Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities are plenty at the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. Dispersed camping is permitted in the wilderness for 14 days. After this period, campers must move to a different site to avoid damage caused by staying in one place for a long time. Bring everything you'll need for dispersed camping since the wilderness has no amenities.
Always plan your trip to Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, knowing the area is a pure wilderness with no marked trails and facilities. Bring a compass or GPS unit to help navigate the wilderness. Early summer, late spring, and fall are the best times to visit Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area when the temperatures aren't too harsh. Always check the weather before visiting, and postpone your trip if there's rain in the forecast. Flash flooding is common in the area and can be dangerous. Make sure you wear and carry comfortable clothing based on the time you visit. Wearing clothes in layers is highly recommended because desert temperatures can vary wildly based on the time of day. Carry enough drinking water, cookware, sunscreen, and other essential items. This area restricts motorized vehicles, so no ATVs are allowed. Be sure that you're only parking in established parking lots, on flat, previously established dispersed camping sites, or on the side of the road. Climbing the delicate geological features, making campfires, and collecting fossils without a permit are also prohibited. Since Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area is shared with wildlife, guests must always be cautious and avoid interfering with nature. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Guests visiting Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area must abide by all "Leave No Trace" policies set by BLM. Clean up after yourself to avoid littering the wilderness and preserve its natural qualities. Don't interfere with wildlife since the wilderness is their home, and you're just a guest. Always travel and camp on durable surfaces. Don't forget to be respectful and considerate of other visitors.
Farmington is the nearest city to Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. When in the city, drive west on W Bradway toward Nelson Ave and continue onto W Main St. Go left onto US-64 BYP E/W Murray Drive for about a mile and then turn right onto NM-371 S. Turn left onto Rd 7500/Is Rt 7023 and drive for about three miles. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area will be on the left side. Latitude and longitude: N 36.30331417, W 108.1151794 Ready to visit Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area? 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.
