Only in Your State: New Mexico | By Juliet White
Not so long ago, we shared the wonders of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness (a.k.a the Bisti Badlands) with you. If you were wowed by its striped bands of earth and surreal rock formations, there’s another even less well-known badlands that you should definitely visit as well.
The Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area is located between Nageezi and Chaco Culture National Historical Park, in San Juan County.
The BLM-managed piece of land was established as a wilderness study area in 1992. Encompassing 6,563 acres, this part of New Mexico seems totally otherworldly.
Water eroded these clay hills, shaping them into folds and other bizarre natural sculptures.
The land here is made from shale, mudstone (a rock originally formed from mud and clay), and sandstone. The cap rocks balancing on top of narrower spires are made of sandstone.
The relative lack of plants makes the pastel hues of the earth all the more striking. This is a stark yet dreamy landscape.
In addition to being beautiful, this land is concealing secrets. Fossils – including those of dinosaurs – from the late Cretaceous Period have been unearthed here. (Please note that you need a permit to remove fossils from Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah.)
You’ll probably have this wondrous place all to yourself. There are no official trails through this area. It’s called a “wilderness study area” for a reason!
But if stunning, remote spots appeal to you then it’s well worth loading up your vehicle with water, snacks, and sun protection and driving out here. This hidden gem can be reached via dirt roads – just don’t make the trip after rain, or when rain is predicted.
One route to the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area takes you from US-550 to NM-57. Note your mileage and then continue along NM-57 for 13.5 miles. The wilderness area will be on your right.
Alternatively, you can drive from NM-371 and use county roads to access NM-57.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah is definitely in the middle of nowhere. Here is a map.
