Wheeler Geologic Area — Local services in Four Corners States

It's criminal that people have given this place a mediocre looking review for google. First, the area is very hard to access. You either need a 4x4 to drive there or do an 8.4 mi hike. I guess that must be why the reviews aren't great. If you do any amount of research beforehand though, you'll know that this is the case. It shouldn't come as a surprise.

I did the hike. I also did it in a day, which I was warned against and would not do again. The hike is absolutely gorgeous the entire way and very easy, just long. The first 2-ish miles are downhill, which means they're uphill coming back. It's never steep and that was the worst of it. I actually really wish I had known that beforehand though, because that would have changed my mind on trying to do the hike in a day. Nothing like being out of shape and, after having walked 15 miles with your toenails falling off because you don't own real hiking shoes, still having to walk 2 mi uphill to get back to your car. I recognize that all of that is my bad, though.

All that said, the hike has incredible views pretty much the whole time and the site itself is otherworldly. I've never seen anything like it. I would highly highly recommend anyone interested to spend a couple days backpacking and camping...

Great place. Did a 3 day backpack in to our base camp in earlier June. It's about 7 miles to the site, and took roughly 3.5 hours with an extended break. It wasn't too bad with gradual ascends and descends throughout the hike. Setup camp and relaxed the rest of the day. Next day was spent exploring the monument, hiking halfmoon pass trail, and hiking up to the Palmer Mesa. Total hike up from our camp to Palmer Mesa was about 8 miles and roughly 2k elevation change. Saw an Elk in the distance, also saw a Big Horn driving to the trailhead. So you may or may not see some good wildlife in the area. Views were gorgeous, sitting on the edge of the rocks and looking at the monument was peaceful. Packs were lighter for the hike back and completed it without resting in 2.5hours. Personally seeing all the beetle kill and dead trees was eye opening....

Be forewarned...The road to this breathtaking wonderland is a mere 13 miles but it may be one of the bumpiest, nastiest rides out there. Took me 2 hours in my tacoma. In 2024, this road has developed epic potholes of unknown depths full of water. Even in a full sized modded 4x4 this is a daunting journey. Beautiful area tho. Very remote. Do not drive your...