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.

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Know Before You Go

Fees

  • None.

Season/Hours

  • Open year-round.

Special Rules 

  • This is a Wilderness Area, which means that it is closed to motorized vehicles and mechanical forms or transportation (mountain bikes included).  

FLICKR Slideshow

Ojito Wilderness

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 an evergreen tree
WILDERNESS
Iconograph of a camera
PHOTOGRAPHY

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.