Ojito Wilderness Area

The Ojito Wilderness is a desert landscape of steep-sided mesas, rocky terraces, retreating escarpments, box canyons, deep meandering arroyos, and austere badlands. Bands of multi-colored shale, sandstone, and limestone draw attention to cliff sides. Occasional badland settings, with their unusual hoodoos (weathered rock in the form of pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, 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.

Photos

Ojito Wilderness
Ojito Wilderness

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

  • Wilderness Areas are designated for their unique wilderness characteristics, primitive recreation opportunities, solitude, and mostly undeveloped areas.
    • As a result, this area does not have any facilities or interpretive signage to make the area easier to navigate. The road through the wilderness area is also challenging to navigate and requires a 4WD vehicle with high clearance.
    • There are no established trails. Pathways are overwhelmingly uneven roads, paths, or cow trails. One needs to be able to walk, scramble, and/or cross flowing water while exposed to the elements.

Know Before You Go

Fees

  • None.

Facilities

  • There is no potable water or restrooms available.
  • Hoodoo Trailhead
    • Parking lot
      • 3.4 mi. out & back trail
  • Seismosaurus Trailhead
    • Parking lot
      • 2.2 mi. out & back trail

Nearby Amenities

  • The nearest gas stations and stores are located in San Ysidro 15 miles away.

Season/Hours

  • Open year-round.
    • Road become impassable during inclement weather and after heavy rains.

Special Rules

  • No motorized vehicles are allowed in the wilderness area.
    • Including mechanical forms of transportation, including any wheeled devices (drones, mountain bikes, strollers, carts, coolers with wheels, etc.).
  • Please pack out what you pack in and practice a good land ethic.
  • Pets must be on a 6-ft leash.
  • Permits are required for uses such as guided tours, photography workshops, scientific research, and grazing.

Brochures, Maps and Publications

Flickr Slideshow

Ojito Wilderness

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Phone

505-761-8700

Activities

Iconograph of a tent.
CAMPING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a person on horseback
HORSEBACK RIDING
Iconograph of three evergreen trees
WILDERNESS
Iconograph of a camera
PHOTOGRAPHY

Addresses

Rio Puerco Field Office
100 Sun Avenue, NE
Pan American Building, Suite 330
Albuquerque
New Mexico
87109

Geographic Coordinates

35.52160694, -106.9186022

Directions

Seismosaurus Trailhead 
From Bernalillo, travel on U.S. 550 about 21 miles (about 2 miles before San Ysidro) turning left onto Cabezon Road (County Road 906). Follow the left fork approximately 9 and 1/4 miles to an Ojito Wilderness sign. Continue about 3/4 mile to a undeveloped parking area on the left. A trail leads north, across the road and through a pedestrian gate, into the Wilderness and along an old two-track road.king area on the left. A trail leads north, across the road and through a fence, into the Wilderness.

Hoodoo Trailhead 
From Bernalillo, travel on U.S. 550 about 21 miles (about 2 miles before San Ysidro) turning left onto Cabezon Road (County Road 906). Follow the left fork approximately 9 and 1/4 miles to an Ojito Wilderness sign. Continue about 1 3/4 mile to a developed parking area on the left side of the road. From the parking area, walk back about 400 feet to the east where a primitive trail leads north into the Wilderness on the north side of the road.

Please Note:

1. Though these trailheads are off regularly maintained roads, they are not paved. Conditions of roads can change at any time due to weather. Drivers should avoid dirt roads during rain or snow. Drivers should be cautious of wash-out following rain or snowmelt.

2. Though camping in the Wilderness is a rewarding experience, there are no water sources. Visitors must carry all the water they will need for the duration of the trip.

Quicklinks