USA Stone Wings

Bisti (pronounced Bist-EYE) Badlands covers an area of roughly 60 square miles of remote badlands, offering some of the most unusual scenery in the world.  National Geographic Traveler listed the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, also known as the Bisti Badlands, as one of their must-visit adventure destinations for 2019. It’s a vast area to explore. You have to hike at least a mile before things start to get interesting but after that, the good stuff never stops. That said, I highly recommend carrying a GPS device and knowing how to use it. One could spend 5 or 6 hours and see a lot of good stuff with the aid of GPS or several days without GPS. The hike from the north parking area to the Stone Wings is slightly over a mile. Hiking in Bisti after the rain would be difficult if not impossible due to the clay-based soil. GPS 36.2792791, -108.2373530

Early morning/Late afternoon. 24-70mm lens for most shots but you’ll occasionally want a wide-angle lens. Polarizer. A special permit is required to film or photograph the Bisti for commercial use. The area is free and open 24/7 weather permitting.

The best Bisti access point is off State Highway 371 at Road 7297, about 40 miles south of Farmington, New Mexico. Follow the travelled Road 7297 east for about 2 miles to a T-intersection and turn left. Drive almost one mile to the Bisti Access Parking Area. This parking area is just south of a broad wash on the east side of the road. There is another, smaller parking area (the North parking area) 1/4 mile further north. Please note that Road 7297 does not pass through the wilderness as is marked on some maps. This turnoff is between mile markers 70 and 71.  Four-wheel drive or a high-clearance vehicle is not needed.