Angel Peak Scenic Area ~ New Mexico

The Angel Peak Scenic Area is a picturesque destination that is well worth checking out when touring the Chaco Canyon region of New Mexico. The Angel Peak Scenic Area is a BLM Recreation Area that overlooks a majestic New Mexico badlands setting, so the views will surely be memorable.

A Picnic area with gazebos is located along the high mesa rim, so every table has a great view! There are facilities in the big picnic area overlooks, which are a nice convenience for visitors that have traveled many miles through this desolate region of New Mexico. There also is a campground at the end of the gravel road that offers some great views of Angel Peak and Castle Rock.

The Angel Peak BLM campground offers a limited number of car access tent sites with no RV slips. To my surprise, a weak cel phone data signal can actually be found here. There are no water stations in this campground, so be sure to bring plenty for the ride. For those who know how overcrowded the campgrounds can be at the nearby Chaco Culture National Historical Park during the spring and early summer seasons, the Angel Peak Scenic Area will be a good option to consider. 

There are plenty of wide open spaces in the Angel Peak Scenic Area. Some of the public lands in this region have been scarred by dubious gas fracking operations in recent years, so the landscape is not as picturesque as it used to be. There are plenty of industrial eyesores that detract from the natural beauty of the landscape and where there is industry, there is also annoying mechanized noise. Heavy equipment can be heard droning all day long, while the well pumps make noise all night. Those who seek some peace and quiet with no reminders of the modern world may be bothered a bit by the atmosphere. 

Getting away from the views of fracking stations and the industrial noise is easy to do at Angel Peak, because there are hiking trails that go deep into the Angel Peak badlands area, which is quite a large expanse of untamed rugged land. The Angel Peak landmark is the prime attraction and some trails provide closeup views that few others see. There are many nooks and crannies in the badlands labyrinth that are waiting to be discovered, so the Angel Peak foot trails are a must to do. In fact, the trail to Angel Peak over the narrow ridge is one of the scariest hikes that a daredevil could hope for! 

The Angel Peak Scenic Area is located just off of U.S. Highway 550 between Bloomfield and Nageezi. The roadside signage is easy to spot along the highway and there are gas stations within 30 miles of this place, which is a rarity in the wide open spaces of New Mexico. The only limiting factor is the gravel access road, which can be too bumpy for low ground clearance vehicles. 

No matter whether you just want to take a break from the road to enjoy a majestic view or you are looking for a good spot for an afternoon picnic, the Angel Peak Scenic Area will definitely suit your fancy! The views of Angel Peak and the surrounding badlands from the high mesa picnic area are as pleasing as can be. This BLM Recreation Area is rarely crowded, so tent campers can usually find an overnight pad. Angel Peak is a marvelous sight to see, especially when the bright sunlight causes this landmark to glow against the clear blue skies. As far as casual afternoon picnic areas go, this one should be placed high on the list!