See New Mexico’s Unique Lands At Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area

One of the things I love most about living in the Southwest is the striking arid landscape. It can be difficult to find so many examples of unique areas anywhere else but they’re all right here in our backyard.

If you’ve already been to the usual locations and looking for something off the beaten path, then you may enjoy trekking through one very isolated area in northwestern New Mexico.

Looking to feed your wanderlust? Click here to sign up for our Bucket List Newsletter for a weekly peek at the best destinations throughout the country to inspire your next adventures.

Welcome to the parched beauty of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area, located just north of Chaco Canyon National Historical Park.

This wilderness area is a massive area of badlands and has been referred to as the “Hoodoo King” of the San Juan Basin. You’ll find an incredible collection of hoodoos, striped washes, and delicate fossils covering more than 7,200 acres.

The name, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, originates from the Navajo words *áshįįh łibá*, translating to “gray salt.” That seems to perfectly describe the colors here, doesn’t it?

The rolling arid landscape is pretty but the reason most people visit? The hoodoos.

They appear in varying sizes and shapes, appearing to tower into the sky.

Others look like fossilized toadstools clumped on the landscape.

A trip here can easily turn into an all-day adventure. There are no official trails or signs and due to the isolated location, make sure you bring snacks and more water than you think you may need.

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area is remote and quite the trek to reach; the nearest city is Bloomfield, which sits nearly 50 miles away. However, its isolation means you’ll encounter few people and find the area a peaceful reminder of the primordial landscape.

Directions: Google Maps
Coordinates: 36.16254556, -107.9164464
Details: Bureau of Land Management

Want to read about another absolutely fascinating isolated area in New Mexico? If you enjoy ghost towns, we bet you will love visiting Chloride! Read more in You Will Feel A Thousand Miles Away From It All In The Isolated Ghost Town Of Chloride, New Mexico.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Featured Addresses

36.16254556, -107.9164464

Walk Through 7,200 Acres Of Rock Formations At New Mexico’s Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area

Monica Spencer

Author

Related Stories

This Charming Casita In New Mexico Is The Perfect Place For A Relaxing Getaway

Discover 7 Of New Mexico's Most Iconic Views On This Epic 14-Hour Road Trip

This Enchanting Garden Restaurant In New Mexico Will Transport You To Another World

Want more New Mexico in your inbox?

Related Articles

Featured Addresses