Plaza Blanca in Abiquiui, New Mexico

Plaza Blanca is a small site with lots of fascinating formations caused by the erosion of ancient volcanic flows.  The area is on private land, owned by the Dar al Islam mosque.  There are several short trails, which are level and sandy with some small rocks.  Even in October, there were some pretty wildflowers in bloom.  The formations create a high wall and the trails end in a slot canyon.  It takes about an hour to see all the sections of the formations.  It feels very remote, but we saw several other hikers.  

There is a short registration form on the website for the mosque.  You must register to receive the gate code.  It is best to do this in advance, because internet is spotty at the site itself.  The security gate closes in the evenings, so check the hours of operation.  The street off the main highway isn't marked, but it is a nice gravel road.  Weirdly, it becomes a paved road after about a mile.  There is a high gate marking the entrance to the Dar al Islam property, then after a short drive on a gravel road, you will reach the security gate to enter the parking lot for Plaza Blanca.  The trails can be found on AllTrails.  The drive from the highway to the parking lot is about 15 minutes.

This is well worth a visit. The high walls are a ghostly white and the formations are intricate high hoodoos.  The surrounding area looks nothing like this.  It is a real treat and surprise to see.