Wandering New Mexico with David Ryan: Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness

20251019-go-davidryan — Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness offers stunning views.

David Ryan David Ryan David Ryan For GO New Mexico

Published October 19, 2025 - 1:00 p.m. Modified October 19, 2025 - 1:00 p.m.

Get the books

Hike information has been adapted from “Wandering in the Clear Light of New Mexico” by David Ryan and from the 3rd edition of “60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Albuquerque” by David Ryan and Stephen Ausherman. Find both at local bookstores.

Driving instructions

From Albuquerque, take Interstate 25 to U.S. 550 (Exit 242). Go north on U.S. 550 past Cuba and the road to Chaco Canyon National Historical Park to County Road 7500 (between mile markers 127 and 128). CR 7500 is a well-maintained unpaved road, but like any unpaved road, stay off of it when muddy. From U.S. 550 turn left onto CR 7500 and drive 11 or 11.1 miles (depending on your odometer). The De-Na-Zin parking will be on your right. The parking area does have a sign, but if you are not paying attention, it’s easy to miss.

With cooler temperatures at hand, now is a great time to explore and wander around our state’s fantastic backcountry. One place where you can’t go wrong is at the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. It is one of the most photographed landscapes in New Mexico. With over 40,000 acres, you could make a career out of exploring its many hidden corners.

At De-Na-Zin you can discover piles of petrified logs, multicolored landscapes, hoodoos, and as a bonus, it is one of the few places on public land where you can actually see the geologic divide between the Age of Dinosaurs and the Age of Mammals — the Cretaceous-Paleogene Divide (K-Pg Divide).

From the De-Na-Zin parking area, follow the trail through the sagebrush grassland. Within a quarter-mile you’ll begin descending and have fantastic views in front of you. In less than a half-mile, you’ll reach your first arroyo. With no formal trails, your adventure will be one of following a maze of arroyos, small drainages and faint user trails. A handheld GPS device can be handy.

To reach the K-Pg Divide, keep following the trail as it continues on the other side of the arroyo. In a little more than a quarter of a mile, you’ll reach a second and wider arroyo. From there, start angling to the left until you see a cliff face in front (north) of you. The top layer of sandstone is from the Paleogene, while the flakey layer below it is from the Cretaceous.

From here, wander off in any direction you desire. You’ll be amazed by all that you discover. Just keep track of where you go, or use your GPS to get back to your starting point.