My last hike of 2024 was the amazing Bisti Badlands Wilderness Area near the town of Farmington, NM. I did this amazing hike with Navajo Tours USA and frankly that was the best decision as the tour guide (Kaio) was not only the owner of the company, he provided so much wealth and knowledge of this incredible part of the country. The hike itself was about 5 hours long and the only other person on the tour was a lady named Natalie that was visiting from Korea. She was just as excited to be at Bisti and was her first vacation in 5 years! We totally bonded over the love of the area as well as discussed toxic work environments (she recently quit her job and was on a self-discovery journey). At any rate, it was a beautiful fall morning, this area is roughly 45,000 acres of wilderness area. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management with the exception of 3 parcels of private Navajo land within its boundaries. Time and the natural elements have created an incredible world filled with amazing rock formations made of sandstone, mudstone, coal, silt. After parking the Jeep, we grabbed our packs and headed out, it was so peaceful and still. The quietness of this area is so incredible, you instantly feel so at peace. Kaio knew exactly where to go, he's been living in this area his whole life. He told us the story how he used to play here as a kid and how his family would come and have picnics here very often. This is sacred land for the Navajo Tribe, Kaio explained to us how various sites and formations are sacred to his people. He told us stories and legends of his great ancestors and ways they worshipped and protected the land. Hearing Kaio talk with so much love for the land just added to the enchantment.
This is the Egg Hatchery Area- these are all rock formations that developed this shape over millions of years
Everywhere you turn there is something to be admired at Bisti. From Hoodoos to rocks that weigh thousands of pounds being elevated by harden clay, it is unbelievable
This entire area used to be under the ocean at one point in the Earth's history, you can clearly see on a lot of the pictures that this was the case. Even though the tour lasted 5 hours it went by so fast. Bisti is a hidden jem and what I loved most about this area is how few people were here. We saw less then 10 people during the entire 5 hours. I love how "primitive" it is, meaning that there are no fancy bathrooms or ugly billboards, signs or walkways to disrupt this beautiful area. It is truly as pure as nature can be! Kaio's hope as he was telling us before we left is that this area stays this way for a very long time, and so do I! I hope those that make it out this way can appreciate the beauty of this incredible area that truly looks like you're on another planet! I can't image ending my last hike of the year in a more magical place, in one of my favorite states.
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