Visit Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier National Monument, located in northern New Mexico, is a captivating site that preserves the ancestral Puebloan dwellings and the stunning landscapes of the Frijoles Canyon. We visited Bandelier National Monument as a day trip from Santa Fe during a road trip that included visiting many sites in New Mexico and ending in the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Established in 1916, the monument covers 33,750 acres and showcases the remarkable cliff dwellings, kivas, and petroglyphs left behind by the Ancestral Pueblo people who inhabited the region. Archeologists think the ancestral Pueblo people who have lived in the Southwest for many centuries are descended from groups of hunters and gatherers who entered the area over 10,000 years ago. Over 3,000 sites have been uncovered in this area but not all of them were inhabited at the same time.From the mid-1200s to the mid-1400s some of the villages exceeded 400 rooms. By the mid-1500s, however, the people who lived there moved on and migrated to villages along the Rio Grande river.

The Bandelier National Monument was established largely due to the efforts of Adolph Bandelier, a Swiss-American anthropologist and archaeologist who studied the ancient Puebloan sites in the Southwest. His work in the late 19th century brought significant attention to the cultural and historical value of the area. In 1916, recognizing the importance of preserving these archaeological treasures and the natural beauty of the region, President Woodrow Wilson designated Bandelier as a national monument under the Antiquities Act. This designation aimed to protect the ancient ruins, artifacts, and the unique landscapes of the Frijoles Canyon for future generations to study and enjoy.

We stopped at the Bandelier National Monument Frijoles Canyon scenic overlook on our way to the Bandelier Visitor Center. There are signs marking the overlook and you can easily miss it. It’s worth stopping to take the view and see the size of the canyon that you are going to descend into.

We arrived before 9:00 AM in the morning and were glad that we did. We secured an excellent spot but when we were leaving a few hours later the lot was completely full. In doing research for this page we found out that during peak times it is required that visitors take the free Atomic City Transit shuttle due to parking limitations from the White Rock Visitor Center off of I4 to the Bandelier visitor center which takes about 26 minutes.

Arriving at the visitor we immediately noticed how well maintained the park was. The visitor center has a lot of information and a cafe that is open during peak season from 9 am to 4:30 pm daily.

We followed the 1.4 mile Pueblo Loop Trail to Tyuonyi and the cliff dwellings. When you finish viewing the cliff dwellings there is another option to walk another ½ mile to the Alcove house. It is a cliff dwelling reached only by climbing 140 feet up long wooden ladders and numerous stone stairs.

Learning about the Pueblo culture is fascinating and an important part of the history of the Southwest. No southwest road trip would be complete without stopping at some Indian ruins. This site tops many other sites that we’ve visited and it is in a beautiful setting not far from Santa Fe. If you are in the area looking for a day trip this is an excellent option.

1. Visitor Center and Museum: The starting point for most visitors. Exhibits on the Ancestral Puebloans, geology, flora, and fauna of the area.
2. Pueblo Loop Trail: A 1.4-mile loop that is the most popular trail in the monument allowing you to see Tyuonyi ruins, cliff dwellings, kivas and petroglyphs. Easy to moderate and accessible for most visitors. Information desk, gift shop, and seasonal café.
3. Alcove House: A cliff dwelling located 140 feet above the canyon floor reached by climbing long wooden ladders and stone stairs.
4. Long House: A large cliff dwelling site with extensive petroglyphs and remains of multi-story dwellings.
5. Tsankawi Prehistoric Site: This is a detached section of the monument located near White Rock, approximately 11 miles from the Bandelier Visitor Center. It also has ancient ruins, petroglyphs and trails with spectacular views.
6. Visit Los Alamos: 12 miles north of Bandelier taking you through some beautiful country. We visited there afer we had completed our Bandelier exploration. Click to view our Los Alamos Page.

 How to get to Bandelier National Monument?

From Santa Fe: Take US-84/285 North to NM-502 West towards Los Alamos. After about 12 miles, take NM-4 South for approximately 12 miles to reach the entrance of Bandelier National Monument.

From Albuquerque: Head north on I-25 towards Santa Fe. Take exit 276 for NM-502 West towards Los Alamos. Continue on NM-502 West for about 30 miles, then take NM-4 South for approximately 12 miles to reach the monument.

 Parking at Bandelier National Monument

There is a parking lot at the visitor center. We recommend getting there early before 9:00 AM to get a parking spot.

During peak visiting times (usually mid-June through about mid-October) Visitors are required to take the free Atomic City Transit shuttle from the White Rock Visitor Center to the Bandelier Visitor Center unless they arrive before 9:00 AM. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes and takes about 26 minutes to reach the monument. The White Rock Visitor Center is located off of NM-4. Check the website for the most up to date information

 Best Times to Visit Bandelier National Monument

April/May and September/October are awesome times to visit Bandelier National Monument. It is cooler and less crowded. Summer is considered peak season. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.

 When is Bandelier National Monument Open

The visitor center operating hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. The Monument is open year round, dawn to dusk.

In the trip menu list below, a "dark filled circle" represents a destination where we stayed, and the "dark filled arrow" items below that circle location, represent the destinations we visited while in that city or location.

Click any link below to go directly to that page;

 Trip Overview Page

 Albuquerque, NM

• Sandia Peak Tramway
• Petroglyph National Monument
• Old-Town Albuquerque
• National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

 Alamogordo, NM

• McGinn's PistachioLand Farm
• White Sands National Park

 Carlsbad, NM

• Tunnel Vista Observation Site
• Trestle Depot Recreation Area
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park

 Roswell, NM

• International UFO Museum

 Santa Fe, NM

• Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, NM
• Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, NM
• Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort, NM
• Bradbury Science Museum - Los Alamos, NM
• Los Alamos, NM
• Bandelier National Monument, NM
• Nambé Falls, NM
• Meow Wolf, NM

 Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM

 Bisti Badlands, NM

 Monument Valley

 Grand Canyon, AZ

• Planning Your Grand Canyon Visit
• Grand Canyon South Rim Top Sites and Itineraries
• Grand Canyon El Tovar Hotel

 Sedona, AZ