Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is a wilderness area in northwestern New Mexico, defined by its extensive badlands and distinctive geological formations. The terrain consists of rolling, water-carved clay hills, sandstone caprocks, and colorful mudstone, creating a rugged environment for outdoor exploration. This undeveloped landscape features numerous hoodoos and abundant petrified wood, providing a unique setting for several sports like hiking. Its character offers an off-trail experience for those seeking to navigate by their own judgment.
Forβ¦
9
Routes
5
(14)
Average rating
101
People visited

3
hikers
7.08km
02:22
170m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

3.59km
00:56
20m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
658m
00:10
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
22
hikers
8.77km
02:24
140m
140m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is a wilderness area in northwestern New Mexico, recognized for its extensive badlands and unique geological formations. It features water-carved clay hills, sandstone caprocks, colorful mudstone, and numerous hoodoos. The area also contains abundant petrified wood and significant paleontological fossil discoveries.
The primary outdoor activity in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is hiking. The area offers an off-trail experience, allowing visitors to explore its distinctive geological landscape. There are no marked trails, requiring navigation by judgment and tools like GPS.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is largely undeveloped with no marked trails, offering an off-trail hiking experience. Visitors can explore the landscape freely. For general information on hiking in the area, refer to the guide Hiking in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness.
While the wilderness offers an off-trail experience, visitors can find areas suitable for various skill levels. For guidance on less strenuous options, consult the komoot guide Easy hikes in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. This resource can help identify accessible areas within the wilderness.
Key attractions include numerous hoodoos, such as the 'Alien Throne' and 'King of Wings,' along with balanced rocks and other unique sandstone formations. The wilderness also features extensive petrified wood, including ancient tree stumps, and is rich in late Cretaceous period fossils.
Spring and fall generally offer the most pleasant hiking conditions in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. These seasons typically provide moderate temperatures suitable for exploring the exposed badlands landscape.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness has been visited by 192 komoot users. The area's routes have an average rating of 4.97 out of 5 stars, based on 28 ratings. There is 1 route currently listed for hiking.
Komoot offers several guides for Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness to help plan your visit. These include Hiking in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness and Easy hikes in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. These guides provide valuable information for exploring the area.
Information regarding permits for Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Visitors should check the official BLM website or contact the Farmington Field Office for current regulations on permits or fees.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The official website for information is blm.gov/visit/ah-shi-sle-pah-wilderness. For direct inquiries, the Farmington Field Office can be reached at +1-505-564-7600.
The terrain in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness consists of rolling, water-carved clay hills and extensive badlands. It features sandstone caprocks, colorful mudstone, and distinctive olive-colored hills. The landscape is rugged and largely undeveloped, offering a true wilderness experience.

