Bandelier National Monument

Claret Cup cactus blooms along Main Loop Trail.

Springtime view from the cross-country ski trail.

Alcove House in Frijoles Canyon.

Ancestral Pueblo dwellings, a striking landscape of mesas and steep-walled canyons, dramatic vistas of the Jemez Mountains and the Pajarito Plateau, 23,000 acres of designated wilderness, and varying vegetation zones within it 33,727 acres make Bandelier National Monument a popular destination for hikers, walkers, birdwatchers and photographers.

From the park's entrance station, the three-mile entrance road passes Juniper Campground en route to the main parking lot in front of the visitor center in Frijoles Canyon. In the canyon, visitors can browse the book store, tour the museum, view audiovisual programs, shop in the gift store, and enjoy a hot or cold meal from the snack bar.

Short trails to excavated archeological sites begin from the back porch of the visitor center. Visitors will find the self-guiding booklet to be very helpful in interpreting the sites. Ranger-guided walks are available, depending on staffing.

Some trails in the Bandelier Wilderness can also be accessed from the visitor center area. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight hikes and recommended for solo day hikers. Backcountry permits are free and can be obtained in person at the visitor center during regular business hours.

Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons for backcountry hiking in Bandelier. Elevations in the park range from 5,000 to 10,000 feet, canyon depths average 600 vertical feet or more, and the terrain is challenging.

The monument is 46 miles west of Santa Fe on State Route 4 and open year-round except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.