Bandelier National Monument

the village of Tyuonyi
A view of Tyuonyi and the cliff dwelling in Frijoles Canyon from the mesa.
Tyuonyi from a cavate
A view of Tyuonyi from a cavate along the Main Loop Trail in Frijoles Canyon.
archeological sites in Frijoles Canyon
A view of Long House dwellings from the mesa top.
a view of Frijoles Canyon from the rim
A view of Frijoles Canyon from the Frey Trail
a view of the Valles Caldera from Cerro Grande
A view of the Valles Caldera from Cerro Grande, the highest point in Bandelier.
a view of the Rio Grande
A view of the Rio Grande, the lowest point in Bandelier, from the mesa above Frijoles Canyon
visitor center in winter
Bandelier visitor center in winter
Photos: National Park Service

About Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful canyon and mesa country. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities.

Quick Facts

State New Mexico
Designation National Monument
State Code NM
Weather Spring daytime temperatures in the 70's can be followed by a snow storm with wet heavy snow and daytime temperatures in the 40's. Summers are dry with June usually being…

Location & Map

Bandelier National Monument is located in New Mexico.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle $25.00

Pass covers all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car, truck, camper, or van up to 15 passengers). Auto passes are non-transferable and not replaced if lost or stolen. Entrance passes do not cover camping fees.

Entrance - Motorcycle $20.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Entrance - Per Person $15.00

Pass covers per person entrance fee for those 16 years of age and older traveling on foot or by bicycle, or for individuals traveling together in a 16 passenger or greater vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group. Individual passes are non-transferable and not replaced if lost or stolen.

Operating Hours

Bandelier National Monument is open every day from dawn to dusk unless impacted by severe weather or noted for specific holidays. The hours of dawn and dusk vary throughout the year so please come prepared knowing when you may have to exit the canyon. Visitors holding an overnight backcountry permit are allowed to be in the park after these hours following the guidance of their permit. The Juniper and Ponderosa campgrounds are open 24hrs.

Wednesday Sunrise to Sunset
Monday Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday Sunrise to Sunset
Sunday Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday Sunrise to Sunset
Friday Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday Sunrise to Sunset

Activities

Arts and Culture Craft Demonstrations Cultural Demonstrations Astronomy Stargazing Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Group Camping Food Dining Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hiking Backcountry Hiking Front-Country Hiking Junior Ranger Program Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Snowshoeing Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

From NM285 US84 in Pojaque NM. West on NM502, West on NM4 to White rock. Then 12 miles to the monument entrance on the south side of the road. Bandelier is in a remote location, with cell service in the canyon limited to Verizon 4G only. Services like Uber and Lyft will bring you here, but there may be no way to contact a ride out. Please plan your pickup before being dropped off at Bandelier.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM, 87544
Phone 5056723861

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park $45.00

Valid for one year from month of purchase. Admits passholder and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder plus up to 3 other people when entry is by other means (foot, bicycle). Non-transferable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen.

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building Archeology Ruins Cliff Dwellings Laborer and Worker Native American Heritage Animals Birds Cats (wild) Elk Canyons and Canyonlands Foothills, Plains and Valleys Plateaus and Mesas Forests and Woodlands Coniferous Forests Geology Night Sky Astronomy River and Riparian Scenic Views Volcanoes Watersheds Wilderness

Things To Do

Hike the Upper Falls Trail

Hike the Upper Falls Trail

Description of the Falls Trails.

Hike the Tsankawi Loop Trail

Hike the Tsankawi Loop Trail

Learn everything you need to know about hiking the Tsankawi Loop Trail.

Become a Bandelier Junior Ranger

Become a Bandelier Junior Ranger

Information on our junior ranger program at Bandelier

A short workbook filled with activities for all ages.

Hike the Main Pueblo Loop Trail

Hike the Main Pueblo Loop Trail

Summary, things to see, and maps of the famous Pueblo Loop Trail in Bandelier National Monument.

Hike the Frijoles Canyon & Rim Trail

Hike the Frijoles Canyon & Rim Trail

Get details about hiking the Frijoles Loop trail.

Hike the Frey Trail

Hike the Frey Trail

Learn about the Frey trail, including roundtrip mileage, time, and what you will see.

Visitor Centers

Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center

The Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center is located in Frijoles Canyon.

Hours: The Bandelier Visitor Center is open year-round from 9:00am - 5:00pm MT unless the park is closed due to severe weather conditions or if noted for specific holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve.

Campgrounds

Juniper Family Campground

Three (3) loops, 52 site campground near the entrance to the monument. Two (2) sites for small groups up to 20 people. Abert's Squirrel Loop…

52 Sites

Ponderosa Group Campground

Ponderosa group campground is open year round, with water available May - October only. Site is available by reservation only through Recreation.gov.

2 Sites

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