At Bandelier National Monument, one of the National Park Service’s oldest sites (1916), you will find Ancestral Pueblo dwellings scattered across a landscape of broad mesas and steep-walled canyons that provide habitat for a diversity of plant and animal life.
The main loop trail (1.2 mile loop) in Frijoles Canyon provides easy access (partially handicapped accessible) to the remains of these ancient homes. Like past inhabitants, you can climb ladders into several of the small carved rooms (caveats). A more challenging climb can be found at Alcove House where Ancestral Pueblo people built homes in a natural recess in the cliff face. Four ladders and a number of stone stairs are required to make the 140-foot ascent.
Although best known for archeological sites, Bandelier also includes 23,000 acres of designated wilderness. Over 70 miles of trails vary in difficulty from easy footpaths good for the whole family to more challenging ones best for experienced hikers. Permits for overnight stays in Bandelier’s backcountry are available at the Bandelier Visitor Center. There are 57 camp sites at Juniper campground (can accommodate RVs, but not hookups). The Ponderosa Group Campground can accomodate groups up to 50.
Summer Visits
Summer weather in Bandelier is hot and dry in June then afternoon thunderstorms crop up in July and August. Bring plenty of water when hiking as well as a hat and sunscreen. Biting insects are uncommon so bug spray is not usually required. In late summer (July, August, and Sept) it is wise to begin a long hike early in the day before storms develop in the afternoon with heavy downpours, volumous hail, and dangerous lightning. Heavy rains can cause flashflooding in all the park canyons.
Atomic City Transit will continue to follow additional measures to further enhance public health safety in providing shuttle service:
• Hand sanitizer is available on all vehicles for both customers and staff
• All transit vehicles are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to being put into daily service, as well as disinfection of high-touch areas between trips, throughout the day
• Driver shields have been installed in allowable vehicles
NOTE: Please be aware that riding the shuttle from the White Rock Visitor Center to Bandelier is required from mid-June to mid-October due to parking limitations at Bandelier. For more details, please visit the Bandelier website. For the specific route service schedules, please refer to the shuttle schedule here or in the table below.
The first shuttle will leave the White Rock Visitor Center at 9 am on Saturdays and Sundays as well as holidays. The last shuttle leaves Bandelier visitor center at 5 pm.
For more information about Bandelier National Monument, contact the Bandelier Visitor Center at 505-672-3861 x 517 or visit www.nps.gov/band, Facebook, BandelierNPS.
Bandelier National Monument Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center Operating Hours Summer hours 9 AM to 6 PM during shuttle season
(mid May to mid October) Visitor Center Winter Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM.
Please call our office (505) 661-RIDE (7433) for any additional information or use the ACT Tracker to locate your bus route.
For more information, please visit the Atomic City Transit (ACT) at www.atomiccitytransit.com.