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Bandelier National Monument is a great place for both solitude and archaeology lovers. It protects a beautiful canyon in New Mexico and several Native American dwellings and petroglyphs. It’s named for Adolph Bandelier, a Swiss-born archaeologist who researched the cultures of the area.
I spent about a half day at Bandelier. It was the perfect amount of time to see the most important section of the park as well as get in a couple of hikes. If you’re looking to get away from humans for a while, you can spend another day or three in the park doing backcountry hikes and enjoying nature.
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee to Bandelier is US$25 per vehicle (as of October 2023) and is good for seven days. It’s also covered by all of the interagency passes. The park is open year-round.
Shuttles
Due to extremely limited parking at the visitor center, the only way to get to the main part of the park between 9am and 3pm from mid-May to mid-October is to take a free shuttle bus from a parking lot near the campground. You can also take the shuttle from the White Rock Visitor Center. The shuttle runs in 30 minute intervals from 9am to 5pm. From late October to early May, and before 9am or after 3pm, private vehicles are welcome.
Visitor Center
The Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center is the only visitor center at the park. It’s located at the bottom of Frijoles Canyon and is open year-round. The Main Loop Trail, which leads to the most accessible archaeological sites in the park, is accessed from the visitor center.
Inside the visitor center, there’s a museum with excellent displays about the human history of the park and the lives of Ancestral Puebloans. A 10 minute introductory video gives an overview of the monument.
The Bandelier Trading Company is located near the visitor center. It has a snack bar and gift shop.
Camping
The only developed campground at Bandelier is Juniper Campground. It has several first-come, first-served tent sites. It costs US$20 per night (as of October 2023), payable by credit card at an automated registration kiosk. The campground rarely fills and is open year-round.
We stayed in the nearby town of Jemez Springs the night before. There’s also lodging available in Los Alamos, Española, and Santa Fe.
Activities
Hiking, photography, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor activities are available. Check the official website for more information on these activities. Information about ranger guided programs and cultural demonstrations can be found at the visitor center.
Safety
My best advice is to watch the weather. Flash floods can occur. Be careful on the trails, especially ladders, and wear proper footwear. Also drink plenty of water and stay away from wildlife.
