I am thinking of going to Bisti badlands in New Mexico in October . I will be renting a car from Albuquerque airport .I would appreciate any advice about locations and lodging options in that area. I am open to car camping.
Harsha
We made 3 trips in July, August and the last one in October in 2013. We stayed each time for lodging in Farmington, nearest town. Highway 371 takes you from Farmington to Bisti Badlands. There is a car parking trailhead to Bisti Eggs and to several other locations within the area. The Parking area is on the East side of Hwy 371. We also went further South on Hwy 371 to hike King of Wings and to other locations within Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. You definitely need 4-wheeler due dirt road condition. It rains quite a bit with thunder storms at times in October (at least we experienced last year). We camped at King of Wing but had never car camped in the Wilderness.
retrait wrote:
We made 3 trips in July, August and the last one in October in 2013. We stayed each time for lodging in Farmington, nearest town. Highway 371 takes you from Farmington to Bisti Badlands. There is a car parking trailhead to Bisti Eggs and to several other locations within the area. The Parking area is on the East side of Hwy 371. We also went further South on Hwy 371 to hike King of Wings and to other locations within Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. You definitely need 4-wheeler due dirt road condition. It rains quite a bit with thunder storms at times in October (at least we experienced last year). We camped at King of Wing but had never car camped in the Wilderness.
Could be, but in general with rattlesnakes you won't even see or hear them...
Especially this time of year. Heck, half of them don't even shake their rattle anymore...
To be a little more serious, just always be careful where you place your hands and feet. Although you won't run across one.
This time of year it's angry yellow jackets...
Or, I can't remember for sure but there could be lots of migrating tarantulas scurrying across the road too. Fun to look at and follow. At least up here, which doesn't help down there.
If rainy, that makes Bisti nearly impossible to hike. Otherwise, Oct is fine, cooler than summer months. Farmington is closest town with accommodations (37 miles or so), but camping in the parking lot is best for sunrise and sunset. Only critters you are likely to see are cows. I wouldn't worry about snakes there, but it always pays to look where you are going to step, even if just to ensure good footing.
