Ojito Wilderness Area
The Ojito Wilderness is a desert landscape of steep-sided mesas, rocky terraces, box canyons, meandering arroyos, and austere badlands. Multi-colored cliffs and hoodoos (weathered rock in the form of pinnacles and other unusual forms) accent the landscape. Piñon and juniper are dotted throughout the Wilderness, and rare stands of ponderosa pine can be found tucked into shady recesses.
Nature and Culture
Ojito Wilderness Area is paleontologically important, with fossil remains of rare dinosaurs, plants, and trees found in the Jurassic-age Morrison Formation, dating back about 150 million years. Natural erosion has exposed large segments of petrified trees and bones of enormous dinosaurs, including Seismosaurus, one of the longest dinosaurs ever discovered. These fossils provide critical insights into Earth’s geologic timeline and ancient climate.
Ojito also holds deep cultural importance. Archaeological evidence shows human presence dating back thousands of years, including Ancestral Puebloan sites and historic artifacts. Petroglyphs and remnants of early habitation highlight the area’s role as a seasonal home and travel corridor for Indigenous peoples.
Contact Us
This site is managed by Rio Puerco Field Office; visit their page for office hours and directions.
[email protected]
505-761-8700
Quick Facts
- Establishment Law
- Established October 26, 2005
- BLM Acreage: 11,656 acres
Photo Album
