There is nowhere quite like Bloomfield, NM in New Mexico, and Angel Peak Loop is the trail that puts you deepest into the heart of it. Over 2.5 miles and 400 feet of elevation change, this loop route delivers some of the most visually striking terrain in the American West — sculpted sandstone, painted canyon walls, arches, fins, and the deep quiet that settles over desert landscapes in the early morning hours before the day hikers arrive.

The trail begins in open terrain and immediately announces itself. Within the first few hundred yards, the landscape overwhelms — colors and shapes that don't exist on any palette you've seen before, geological time made visible in layers of rock that span hundreds of millions of years. The path is usually well-marked and follows natural terrain contours, though some sections require scrambling and careful route-finding. Cairns mark the way in areas where the rock surface makes trail-blazing impossible.

Desert hiking demands more preparation than forest or mountain trails. Carry at least three liters of water per person — more in summer — and start early to avoid the worst of midday heat. Sun protection is non-negotiable: hat, sunscreen, and UV-blocking layers are essential even on overcast days. The lack of shade is the desert's primary hazard, and it catches unprepared hikers every season. That said, the desert at sunrise or sunset in fall, winter, or spring is one of the transcendent outdoor experiences available anywhere in the country.

Rated Easy. Allow 1.5–2 hours on the trail. Best conditions Year-round.

Visitor info: Fee: Free. Dogs: Yes (leash). Permits: None. Surface: Dirt, rock.

Plan your visit, prepare carefully, and then get out there. The desert rewards the prepared traveler with an experience that no photograph fully captures.