Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness

The Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is located in northwestern New Mexico and is a badland area of rolling water-carved clay hills. The area is rich in fossils and has little vegetation to conceal geological formations. The thin vegetation includes sagebrush, piñon-juniper, Great Basin scrubland, and grassland. It is a landscape of sandstone cap rocks and scenic olive-colored hills. Water in this area is scarce and there are no trails; however, the area is scenic and contains soft colors rarely seen elsewhere.

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

  • As a designated Wilderness, this area is being managed to protect its wilderness character. As a result, this area is fairly remote, undeveloped, and has very few facilities, which unfortunately makes most of the area inaccessible.  

  • Most of the area is left wild. The trails that are available are narrow in many sections and there are rocks and loose dirt to navigate, with cacti taking up most of the area around the trails that would be easier to travel.  

    • To navigate these trails visitors must be able to hike several miles across semi-difficult terrain including sand, up and downhill curves, rocks of various sizes, and share the trails with other hikers, bikers, and equestrians. 

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Know Before You Go 

Fees 

  • None 

Facilities  

  • There is no potable water or restrooms at this Wilderness Area.  

  • There is a sign marking the entrance of the Wilderness Area and a large dirt parking area with a short quarter-mile hiking trail to access the Wilderness.   

Nearby Amenities  

  • The nearest location to acquire gas, food, and water is in Nageezi, ~34 miles away via Co Rd 7820 and US-550 N. 

Seasons/Hours 

  • Open year-round.

    • The road may become impassable during and after inclement weather.

Special Rules  

  • Since this is a Wilderness Area, it is closed to motorized vehicles, and mechanical forms of transportation, including any wheeled devices (drones, mountain bikes, strollers, carts, coolers with wheels and etcetera). 

  • No fireworks, discharge or use of firearms, or any other weapons in the area. 

  • Also prohibited are campfires, collecting fossils or petrified wood, climbing on delicate geologic features, traveling in groups of more than nine people, and trespassing on adjacent tribal lands. 

  • Permits are required for uses such as guided tours, photography workshops, scientific research, and grazing. 

  • Please pack out what you pack in and practice a good land ethic. 

  • Pets must be on a 6-foot leash. Having pets on the lava rock is not recommended. 

 BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS 

Wildlife in Area  

  • Lizards 

  • Red-tail hawks 

Phone

505-564-7600

Email

blm_nm_comments@blm.gov

Activities

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WILDERNESS
Iconograph a person wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
BACKPACKING
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BIRDING
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DISPERSED CAMPING
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HIKING
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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STARGAZING
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WILDLIFE VIEWING

Addresses

Farmington Field Office
6251 College Blvd A
Farmington
New Mexico
87402

Geographic Coordinates

36.139908, -107.920721

Directions

From US Highway 550, 7.5 miles northwest of Nageezi, NM (which is 44.5 miles northwest of Cuba, NM) turn left onto NM 57. Drive south/southwest approximately 13.5 miles, at which point NM 57 forms the boundary of the WSA. For the next 4 3/4 miles, the WSA will be on your right.

Fees

No

Stay Limit

14 Days