For photographers, the northwest part of New Mexico is a place to capture millennia's worth of cultural and natural history, along with otherworldly landscapes, from badlands and river scenery to high-desert overlooks, sandstone formations, and wildlife. With our proximity to these natural wonders and our own downtown art and architecture to capture behind the lens, Farmington makes a logical and fun home base for photographers.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the best photography destinations in the Farmington area, what to plan for, and some itineraries to get you started. Let’s dive in!
What makes Farmington a great destination for photographers?
First, why Farmington and the greater Four Corners region overall?
It starts with the scenery: the Four Corners region and northwestern New Mexico offer amazing landscapes amid genuinely unique geology.
We have dramatic high-desert landscapes, badlands, rivers, and rare geological features. In the sunlight and vast open blue skies, the color and texture of the surrounding terrain change throughout the day. And when the sun sets, it reveals wide open darkness for night sky photography that can be even more awe-inspiring.
At the same time, our wildlife provides an unexpected mix of subject matter. Photographers can encounter more than 100 species of birds, lizards, deer, beaver, raccoons, and insects along the Animas River and all within the city limits of Farmington. Backed by giant cottonwoods and picturesque topography, Farmington is a beautiful base with plenty of photo ops for those looking to capture the iconic locations of northwest New Mexico and the Four Corners region.
Best photography spots in Farmington and the surrounding area of New Mexico
There are many mesmerizing locations to explore. To start, here are some excellent photography locations near Farmington.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
The 45,000 acres of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness landscape create a bucket list stop for photographers. It’s filled with uniquely unusual rock formations, creating a sense of remoteness with its surreal landscape.
It’s perfect for sunrise and sunset photography; in particular, the geological formations in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness create dramatic shadows and textures with the sun’s different angles. Given the distance from city lights, this wilderness area is also ideal for nighttime photography.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness
East of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is the Ah-She-Sle-Pah Wilderness. What especially stands out here are its rolling clay hills and dramatic rock formations. You might even see fossils! Photographers can capture truly unique desert scenes within Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah.
Angel Peak Scenic Area
About 45 minutes southeast of Farmington, Angel Peak has sweeping terrain and canyon views. The elevated perspectives you’ll find here provide opportunities for wide scenic shots and moody, intense high desert imagery. Throughout monsoon season (July - September), dramatic skies back Angel Peak and create memorable moments in nature and stunning images.
Animas River Trail
For shooting closer to town, the Animas River Trails are located in Farmington. You’ll find more serene scenes, with the water, wildlife, and river walk scenery. For the best encounters with wildlife, a visit to the Riverside Nature Center is recommended. With an observation room, pond overlook deck, natural gardens, feeding stations, and nearby Animas River, wildlife is commonly seen in the area.
Downtown Farmington
Keeping with the “in town” theme, historic downtown Farmington itself also has some great spots for photography. Throughout town, you’ll find murals, sculptures, storefronts, and street scenes for more human-focused compositions. It’s ideal for capturing public art and candid scenes.
Aztec Ruins National Monument
This next site is a quick drive east of Farmington. Aztec Ruins, although not Aztec at all, showcases the 1,000+ year-old history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people. You’ll be able to shoot not just the beautiful natural characteristics of the area, but the architecture, history, and textures throughout. The Great Kiva and other preserved ancestral structures are unique subjects here.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
For those interested in the confluence of history and natural beauty, Chaco Culture is a perfect place. The landscapes at this UNESCO World Heritage Site combine with the detailed craft and scale of the Ancestral Puebloan building to create an environment you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.
Before you go, we should mention that you should check road conditions prior to visiting, as those can sometimes be tricky.
Planning a photography trip to Farmington
As for how to make a photography trip happen? It starts with choosing the “right” season.
“Right” is in quotes here because there isn’t really one right season for shooting; it just depends on what you’re looking for in your photography sessions. Each season has something wonderfully different to offer.
Spring and fall, for example, have comfortable weather and good hiking conditions if you’re looking to get out into the wilderness. At the same time, the two are obviously quite different in the state of the flora and fauna at these times of year.
Summer, meanwhile, has long daylight hours and a dramatic sun, while winter offers different lighting, with quieter atmospheres and more time for stunning night sky photography.
Other than understanding seasonal differences, pack for the landscape and weather.
Bring water, sun protection, and layers — our weather can be a bit tricky to nail down at times, so layers are your friend! Be sure to have sturdy shoes too, especially if you plan on getting out of town and into the wilderness areas.
Speaking of wilderness: Bring navigation help — GPS, physical maps — for help in remote areas. Don’t just think you can rely on your phone; often it will work, but there are some spots around here where you’ll lose coverage. Similarly, we recommend extra batteries (or a portable charger) and storage for longer days outside.
Working with a local tour guide is highly recommended if you are apprehensive about exploring vast wilderness areas without trails. Many photographers choose to explore the Bisti or Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah with a tour guide on their first excursion. This will help you safely identify routes to the perfect location for your future shoot.
Tips to get the most out of your Four Corners photography visit
As part of planning your trip, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Respect trail rules and cultural sites. We’d hope this doesn’t have to be said, but it does sometimes. Just overall: Please respect the heritage, culture, and environment that you’re visiting.
- For some of the best lighting, start early. This has the added benefit of meaning fewer people will be around, just you, nature, and scenes worth capturing.
- For more remote destinations, plan ahead. This is especially true on routes where the weather and road conditions can change, which you should be prepared for in general. Rain can quickly impact access roads to some locations, stay weather aware and check road conditions.
- Leave room in the itinerary for more spontaneous roadside stops and scenic views! There’s so much worth seeing in this part of the world, you never know when something you didn’t expect comes up. We’d hate for you to have to miss something like that just because of a tight schedule!
Example photography itinerary for inspiration
If you need inspiration for a starting point, consider these: For a one-day photography trip, you could stay closer to town with a morning on the Animas River Trail before heading towards historic downtown Farmington around midday. Take a drive southeast to Angel Peak to capture the overlook views of dusk, sunset, and the magic hour.
For a weekend trip, you’ll get the time and flexibility to go further out into the landscapes surrounding Farmington in northwestern New Mexico: You can shoot one day at the Bisti Badlands or Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness with another at Aztec Ruins or Chaco Culture, or substitute one of those with more time in downtown and along the Animas River walk.
The Four Corners region, New Mexico, and the environment around Farmington offer a diverse experience for photographers; you’ll see dramatic badlands, river ecosystems, cultural sites over 1,000 years old, and local art and architecture.
If you do find yourself in the area, feel free to check out our resources on lodging, dining, and other amenities. (Casa Blanca Inn & Suites, the Historic Apartments, and the Silver River Adobe Inn are all great options!)
We hope to see you soon!