On our recent New Mexico adventure, one of our first stops was Bandelier National Monument. Bandelier National Monument is 33, 677 acres of national park land located near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The fifty square mile site preserves the ancient dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans who made their homes in and around the canyon in two different eras, from 1150 to 1600 A.D.
President Wilson designated Bandelier as a national monument in 1916, making it one of the oldest national monuments in the country. With 50 square miles of undeveloped land, 70% of which is wilderness, Bandelier National Monument has over 70 miles of hiking trails. It’s the perfect spot to explore ancient dwellings and view wildlife all at the same time.
Visiting Bandelier National Monument
Planning Your Visit to Bandelier National Monument
Directions
Bandolier National Monument is approximately one hour’s drive from Sante Fe. If you are starting in Santa Fe, take Saint Francis Drive (Highway 84/285 north towards Los Alamos. After passing the town of Pojoaque, merge right onto New Mexico 502 to Los Alamos. Exit onto New Mexico 4 towards White Rock and continue driving for 12 miles. After you pass the town of White Rock, the entrance to Bandelier National Monument will be on your left. Bandolier is about 30 minutes from Los Alamos.
Hours & Days
Bandelier National Monument is open from dawn to dusk all year round. The winter visitor center hours are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., while the summer visitor center hours (during shuttle season) are from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Admission
First, park admission is required. It can be purchased at the White Rock Visitor Center, at the kiosk near the shuttle pick up location, or at the Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center.
Admission to Bandelier National Park is $25 per vehicle (up to 15 passengers), $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per person on foot or bicycle. These passes are good for seven days.
With this in mind, we usually purchase the America the Beautiful Pass each year which allows access to all of the national parks and federal recreational areas for one year. At $80, it’s well worth the price. Discounts are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and active duty military members. And, if you have a fourth grade student at home, be sure to apply for the Every Kid Outdoors Pass. It’s free and gets your family into all the national parks for the entire year.
Shuttle Service
Second, visitors who arrive between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from May 14 to October 14 must park at the White Rock Visitor Center located at 115 State Rd. 4 in White Rock, New Mexico, and take the free shuttle into Frijoles Canyon, the main visited area of Bandelier National Monument. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends. The last shuttle of the day leaves the Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center at 5 p.m. each day.
You may be able to drive your own vehicle into the canyon if you meet one of several exemptions. If you are arriving before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. or if you are planning an overnight backpacking trip that begins in the canyon, you may drive directly to the Frijoles Visitor Center. If you have a disability tag or plate or if you have a pet with you, you may also drive directly into the canyon. Keep in mind that pets are not allowed on any of the trails and that it can be extremely hot in the summer..
Visitors can drive to various areas of the park outside Frijoles Canyon at any time. Juniper Campground, Tsankawi, and any of the trails located along Highway 4 do not require shuttle service.
Where to Stay
Once upon a time, Frijoles Canyon did have a lodge. However, that lodge is long gone. The closest hotels are in Los Alamos, White Rock, Espanola, or Santa Fe. However, camping is available at Juniper Campground on a first come first serve basis. The fee is $12 and there are no sites with electricity or hook ups. The restrooms do have running water, but no showers are available. Bears can be a problem, so make sure to keep your site clean and lock away food.
What to do at Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument is known for its trails and the wide variety of wildlife on the plateau and within the canyon. Whether you stay for a few hours or a few days, there is always something new to see and do.
Visitor Center & Museum
Visitor Centers are available at White Rock and at Frijoles Canyon. The one in Frijoles Canyon has a small museum where you can learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who once made this valley their home.
Trails
There are several short trails including the Main Loop Trail, the Alcove House Trail, the Falls trail, Tsankawi, Frey Trail, the Frijolito Loop Trail, the Tyuonyi Overlook Trail, the Burnt Mesa Trail, the Cerro Grande Route, and the Alamo Boundary Trail. The most traveled trail is the Main Loop Trail. Rangers lead guided tours of the Main Loop Trail July through September. These tours take an hour to an hour and a half each.
Longer hikes include Frijoles Canyon and Rim Trail, Painted Cave Trail, and Yapashi Pueblo Trail.
Main Loop Trail
The Main Loop Trail is the one trail that I think every visitor to Bandelier National Monument absolutely must do. It’s an easy 1.2 mile loop through the main archaeological sites. Allow at least 45 minutes to an hour for this loop (we took longer).
Along the route, you’ll find several ladders. These ladders lead to the cavates, small alcoves that were carved by the Ancestral Puebloans who once lived inside. If you are interested in learning more, be sure to pick up a $2 trail guide at the visitor center before starting out. The trail guide explains 21 numbered sites you’ll pass on the Main Loop Trail.
The Main Loop Trail passes Big Kiwa, Tyuonyi, Talus House, and Long House. The first part of it is wheelchair and stroller accessible. However, the second part has several narrow stone stairways. The trail is very family-friendly. Four-year-old J.R. had a blast, climbing up into the dwellings and poking his head out to wave at Mama and Grammy. Keep an eye out for the different pictographs and markings on the canyon walls.
After leaving the canyon wall, the path will cross a small bridge over the river. If you’re from Ohio, like me, you’ll think of it as a stream. However, flash floods are very dangerous, and the bridges do wash away on a quite regular basis. Once you are over the bridge, you’ll follow a nature trail back to the visitor center. There are several signs explaining different aspects. J.R. was excited to spot several deer as we made our way along on the path near the creek.
Gift Shop
Last but not least, don’t miss the gift shop in Frijoles Canyon. The buildings that house the visitor center and gift shop were build by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and are interesting in and amongst themselves. It should be noted that they are actually designated as a National Historic Landmark. Inside the gift shop, you’ll find unique gifts and souvenirs, including beautiful jewelry, pottery, stuffed animals, and clothing.
Final Thoughts about Bandelier National Monument
In conclusion, I’d love to come back to Bandelier and stay a little longer. Maybe someday after we retire, Dennis and I will camp at Juniper Campground and explore some of the other trails. Without a doubt, this was a great stop and a wonderful introduction to the Ancestral Puebloan peoples and their architecture. If you are ever in New Mexico, be sure to stop by and visit Bandelier!
If you want to learn more about our weekend New Mexico getaway, you can read an overview of our visit to the ancient ruins of the American Southwest here.
Everytime I travel to somewhere new I take home a souvenir, just to have a physical reminder of that trip.
This place looks like so much fun! I love exploring parks, monuments, and preserves like this.
I had never heard of this monument before but will definitely add it to the list for our roadtrip out west.
Be sure to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Mesa Verde NP, as well. I’ll have posts on these in the next few weeks.
Wow, I’ve never heard of this place before. I bet my kids would love to explore all the dwelling spots!
I had never heard of Bandelier National Monument. But it sounds like a fantastic place to visit and go hiking. I’m always interested in places rich in history, and being the oldest national monument certainly fits that bill.
New Mexico is on my bucket list. This post right here just makes it a must. It looks like such an awesome place!
Looks like a great adventure. So many trails and fun to explore. I would love to explore place like this in winters.
wow! This looks beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go explore one of the ‘homes’ built so long ago!!! I Your photos are so wonderful too!
looks like a great place to explore! I love the nature, the views and some hiking. it looks ideal!
This looks like a great place to explore – so many trails!! Looking at the price of the 7 day pass, your annual pass is a GREAT value. We do the same with our national parks here in Canada largely due to the fact that we have a national park right near us with trails that we love visiting with the dogs. It doesn’t take many trips before the pass has paid for itself!
That trip looks so much fun. My kids would love to explore around there.
This looks really nice! For sure a place to consider next time 🙂
Bandelier National Monument sounds like a wonderful place, especially those who like to hike. I have to ask my Uncle if he been here before as he loves to hike and lives in AZ.
I am ashamed to say, I have never heard of this place before. What a monument to visit and your photos are awesome! 🍕👓🚢
That seems like a fun place!
xoxo
Lovely
http://mynameislovely.com
This looks so amazing, I would definitely enjoy visiting and exploring these trails. The annual pass you mentioned sounds very reasonable and a great idea for people who go on trips often.
One funny thing: I recently started learning Spanish and couldn’t help noticing that the canyon is called Frijoles Canyon, which means beans! So interesting how much you can pick up on when you actually speak the language.
Bandelier National Monument is another hidden gem! Whenever I hear New Mexico, it reminds me of Breaking Bad (and it’s locations). It’s the only reason why I want to visit that state but seeing these amazing pictures – I think I have another reason to check out NM!
This place looks and sounds amazing to visit. You really gave a detailed description of the place, which is very captivating.
Thank you so much for all your insights. I didn’t know about the America the Beautiful pass. Will check that out.
It seems like an interesting place to visir with family. For sure your kids had a blast there. I enjoyed seeing all your photos. It feels like I’m there too.
I’ve never heard of this place. My husband and I love exploring. This would be awesome for our family to visit
I love to read the history about places to visit. Thank you for sharing
Wow, you have given such a nice virtual experience with your blog. Awesome!
I’ll have to add this to my list of places to visit!
I have not spent any time in New Mexico. I would be freaked out by the critters…SNAKES, especially! Other than that it looked interesting! 🙂
What an incredible place – the rock formations and the caves are amazing. I’d love to hike those trails – not so sure i’d want to encounter a bear at close quarters though!
Isn’t it great? I hang out in ABQ often, and lived in NM since 1984, so have visited many times.
Such great place, lovely pictures! Thanks for sharing
This is a great place to visit. I’m sure my girls and my husband would love to get lost in the cave here.
I have never heard of Bandelier National Monument but now I am fascinated by this place. I’d love to hike some of those trails and see the ancient dwellings in the sides of the mountains. There are so many places in this great country of ours that I have yet to see.
Wow I may need to invest in a “the America the Beautiful Pass” to visit this and all the other lovely national parks next year.
What a wonderful place to explore-I love it that you can go up ladders to check out the alcoves.
This is such a great place to explore, thanks for bringing back some fond memories.
Awesome pictures and great info. What an amazing place, I’d love to visit this place someday. Surely would opt for trail guide, 21 sites in exchange to $2 sounds almost a free service 🙂
I love nature as much as these places that it gives us and it is possible to visit!
This is an amazing guide. Very detailed. I would love to visit Bandelier National Monument one day.
This place sounds amazing, you’ve definitely made me add this to my bucket list