Adventure’s Calling: This Remote Wilderness Area Is Ideal for Discovering Fossils in New Mexico

New Mexico’s carved hoodoos, expansive badlands, and rising mesas feel like they belong in another world, far away from the American Southwest. And Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Area near Farmington is proof of that. It’s a destination with fields of hoodoos and rock gardens, teeming with carved geological formations. Plus, you’ll be trekking through areas where dinosaurs roamed millions of years ago. This means you can hunt for fossils and petrified trees. Even better? This rugged gem is so secluded, you might have it all to yourself. If you’re ready to track down prehistoric dinosaur bones and fossilized wood, head to Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah in San Juan County. This secluded destination in New Mexico is packed with all kinds of treasure-hunting surprises that you must see to believe.

Discover Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Area, New Mexico's Otherworldly Gem

Famous for the Valley of Dreams Formations, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Area is arguably the most unusual place in New Mexico. One hiker simply saying, "It's otherworldly…spectacular! Interestingly, the 7,200-acre wilderness area is not well-known by visitors to the state, making this natural wonder in New Mexico a local secret. Here, you'll find photographers, scouting out the perfect lighting and angle, and if you're lucky, wild horses running free across the land. These striking badlands, covered with hoodoos and colorful rock gardens, must be one of the reasons New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment. Well, at least, in my humble opinion. 

You might be wondering about the name Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah. Well, it’s derived from the Navajo word meaning "gray salt," which describes the muted colors of the geological formations and desert landscape. And you’ll notice the various shades of the sandstone while you hike. The terrain, though not as dramatic, reminds me of the hoodoos that you'll see at Bryce Canyon National Park - minus the crowds, of course!

What to Expect at Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Area

Getting to the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Area is no easy task. In fact, it’s tucked away in northwestern New Mexico, about a three-hour drive from Santa Fe. And from the closest town, Nageezi, you’ll need to travel for about 30 miles, including driving on unpaved roads, to get here. When you visit, you can expect to experience untamed, rugged wilderness, seclusion, and no facilities. Please note that this is a protected area. So, I must stress that you practice the Leave No Trace principles. Please take whatever you bring in with you. Take pictures, explore at will, but leave everything as you find it, including the fossils.

On the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Trail and Valley of Dreams Trail, you’ll encounter strange hoodoos unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Winding between the mesmerizing rock formations and canyons will feel like something from a fantasy world. Several structures are so impressive that they have earned names like the Alien Throne, the Chocolate Mushroom, and the Turtle.

While the hoodoos and rock formations are worth seeing, the animal fossils and petrified trees are equally impressive. The area is rich with prehistoric plant and animal remains, which date back to the late Cretaceous period over 70 million years ago. How cool is that? My favorite part about Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah? You can literally wander freely and make this hike your own. You will for sure come across petrified tree stumps, and if you get lucky, you might even spot dinosaur, crocodile, and turtle bones, too. 

Of course, when you do encounter these ancient fossils, admire the relics, snap some pics, but do not remove them from the area. It is highly prohibited to disturb or collect the remains from this ancient desert. Carve out about two hours for these hikes, but of course, you’ll need more time if you plan on finding treasures. While you're here, you might spot wild horses running across the landscape, which becomes part of the entire experience.

What To Know Before Visiting This New Mexico Wilderness

Since there are no amenities available, you must bring plenty of water, food, and toiletries as needed. The trail has few shaded areas, so be sure to wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen generously. I recommend starting early to avoid the warmest part of the day, especially during the summer months. We all know that the desert heat can be unforgiving. Bring your pup for this trek, but keep them on their leash. Unfortunately, the kiddos will need to skip this adventure. The terrain might be too harsh for them. Most importantly, have an online map handy, like AllTrails, because you might have no signal in this remote wilderness in New Mexico. 

If you'd like to stay in the area, consider driving to nearby Chaco Culture National Historical Park and spending the night at Gallo Campground. Book your spot on the Recreation.gov website. Dispersed camping is allowed here, and the wilderness area is open 24 hours. So, it's not unusual to see photographers taking pictures of the glowing sky after dark.  

Have you ever been to this remote destination in New Mexico before? If not, we think it's worth seeing even if you're not looking for fossils. Be sure to visit the Bureau of Land Management website to learn more about the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area.

Need more adventure? Check out our list of the top hidden gems in New Mexico, or visit the New Mexico Tourism Department page for more ideas on where to eat, play, and stay in the state.