Things to Do in Farmington: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Farmington is the largest town in New Mexico's Four Corners region, where three rivers meet in the high desert. It makes a practical base for ancestral Puebloan sites such as Aztec Ruins and Chaco Canyon, the alien landscapes of the Bisti Badlands and the Navajo Nation.
This guide covers the best things to do in Farmington, 3, 5 and 7-day plans with Shiprock, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde and Four Corners, plus what to eat and where to stay.
Top things to see in Farmington
Aztec Ruins National Monument
Restored great kiva.
Salmon Ruins
Chacoan outlier and museum.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
Hoodoos and badlands.
Animas River Trail
Riverside path through town.
Shiprock
Volcanic peak sacred to the Navajo.
Four Corners Monument
Four states at one point.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
UNESCO-listed great houses.
Navajo Lake
Reservoir for boating and fishing.
Farmington in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Riverside and museums
Start on the Animas River Trail, walking or cycling along the cottonwoods. Have lunch downtown. In the afternoon visit the Farmington Museum and E3 Children's Museum, then stop at Berg Park. End with New Mexican food smothered in red or green chile.
2Day 2 · Aztec and Salmon Ruins
Visit Aztec Ruins National Monument, walking through the rooms of a 900-year-old great house and into the reconstructed great kiva. Have lunch in the town of Aztec. In the afternoon tour Salmon Ruins and its heritage park, then relax by the river at sunset.
3Day 3 · Bisti Badlands
Drive south to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, where there are no trails, only hoodoos, petrified wood and the "cracked eggs" formations. Bring water and a GPS. Picnic in the desert and return for dinner. In summer, go early in the morning or late afternoon.
Farmington in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Shiprock and Four Corners
Drive west to view Shiprock rising from the plain, then to the Four Corners Monument where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado meet. Buy Navajo crafts from vendors and have fry bread for lunch before returning.
5Day 5 · Chaco Canyon
Take the rough road to Chaco Culture National Historical Park for Pueblo Bonito and other great houses aligned with the sun and moon. Bring lunch, as there are no services, and return in the evening.
Farmington in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Mesa Verde
Drive into Colorado to Mesa Verde National Park for cliff dwellings such as Cliff Palace on a ranger tour. Have lunch in the park and return via Durango or Cortez.
7Day 7 · Last day
Have breakfast with green chile, buy Navajo jewelry, rugs or pottery from a trading post, and enjoy a farewell lunch. Albuquerque's airport is about three hours away by car.
What to do in Farmington on a weekend
For a weekend in Farmington, combine Aztec Ruins, the Animas River Trail and the Bisti Badlands.
Add Shiprock and Four Corners with a third day.
What to do in Farmington in the evening
Evenings mean desert sunsets, local brewpubs, summer theater at the Lions Wilderness Park amphitheater and very dark skies.
The town is quiet at night.
Farmington for couples
Couples will enjoy sunset among the Bisti hoodoos, stargazing at Chaco and a winery near Aztec.
Farmington with kids
With kids, try the E3 Children's Museum, Aztec Ruins' kiva, Four Corners and the river trail.
What to eat in Farmington
Green chile
New Mexico's pride.
Navajo taco
On fry bread.
Enchiladas
Red, green or Christmas.
Sopapillas
With honey.
Blue corn
In pancakes and tortillas.
Where to stay in Farmington: best areas
Farmington
Hotels near the river.
Aztec
Small-town inns.
Bloomfield
Practical base.
Durango
A livelier option across the border.
What to do in Farmington when it rains
On rainy days, visit the Farmington Museum, Salmon Ruins' museum, Aztec Ruins or local trading posts.
How much does a trip to Farmington cost?
Expect $90–160 per night, $10–20 for lunch and about $25–30 for park entries.
Practical tips for Farmington
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October.
Getting around
By car; distances are long.
Our practical tips
- Carry plenty of water.
- Download offline maps.
- Check Chaco road conditions.
- Respect Navajo Nation rules.
- Buy crafts directly from artists.
- Bring a sun hat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Entering the Bisti without navigation.
- Driving dirt roads after rain.
- Taking pottery shards from sites.
- Running low on fuel.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Farmington?
Explore Aztec Ruins, the Bisti Badlands and Shiprock.
How many days do you need?
Three days, a week with Chaco and Mesa Verde.
Is Chaco Canyon a day trip?
Yes, but the access roads are rough.
When is the best time?
Spring and autumn.