Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness IBA

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness IBA

Farmington , New Mexico 87402

Official Website
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness map

About this Location

The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a rolling landscape of badlands that 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."

Notable Trails

Bisti Trailhead
To reach the Bisti Trailhead, 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 NM-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 Trailhead, which is just south of a broad wash on the east side of the road. There is another, smaller parking area 0.25 miles further north.

De-Na-Zin Trailhead
To reach the De-Na-Zin Trailhead by the best route drive US-550, 12 miles south of the Speedway Gas Station south of Bloomfield or 4 miles north of NM-57 and turn west onto County Road 7500. Drive approximately 11.25 miles to the De-Na-Zin Trailhead (on the right side of the road). A trail leads from the parking area approximately 0.75 miles to the De-Na-Zin Wash. An alternative route that includes a section of rougher dirt roads that are more prone to weather-related hazards is to drive NM-371 approximately 43.75 miles south of Farmington (from the San Juan River crossing) or approximately 37.25 miles north of Crownpoint (from the intersection of NM-371 and Navajo Service Route 9), and turn east on County Road 7500. Drive approximately 13.25 miles on Road 7500 to the De-Na-Zin parking area (on the left side of the road).”

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Official Website

Last updated July 6, 2023