Bandelier National Monument Reviews

We had a nice hike at Bandolier, which is about 40 minutes from Santa Fe. It’s an attractive National Monument, with a variety of hikes (including some more moderate hikes). It also has remnants of the Native American civilization that once lived there. Very helpful National Park Service employees.

We had a really nice day enjoying the outside world of New Mexico. We took the loop from the visitors center through the Pueblo ruins. It was really interesting and we enjoyed the day.

Spend the $80 for a National Park pass. Bandelier has so many trails but I can only speak if the main loop and Alcove. Both were a lot of fun. Climbing up ladders to sit where ancestral Peublo people once lived is an experience. Be warned, the ladders get super hot especially at Alcove, making climbing up and down difficult. The park has clean restrooms, a store, picnic area and a cafe to grab a bite. Must do in NM.

We arrived earlier into White Rock than planned so made use to going to Bandelier National Monument a day earlier than planned. I did check with visitors center first to make sure I had correct info on entering. If you arrive before 9am or after 3pm at the entrance gate you can drive yourself in, otherwise you have to take the shuttle between 9-3. East to catch that if you need to from visitors center.
As far as this location.., the drive to it is beautiful and the couple miles to the entrance is great as well. Once there there are a few trails you can take. Rangers are very helpful where you have to check in again before setting out. We did the main loop with climbs up to some rooms. Just amazing. Easy walking paths with some stairs with handrails to see more. You do not have to take the stairs if you are not interested in seeing the caves/homes or getting up close. The path continues the whole way with lots of benches too.

An hour and a half without going to Alcove House because access was closed. Several cavities that were used as dwellings can be visited by taking ladders. An excellent plan is provided at the visitor center.

Shuttle? Gimme a break. Random Tuesday in late September. There’s nobody around, and still got told to drive 10 miles back to White Rock, and take a shuttle bus that runs every 30 min. We just left.

This place is spectacular. Should be a National Park in my opinion. The cliffs are beautiful with interesting shapes and colors. Then you add in that a 1,000 people lived here long ago and their history told. Just an amazing place.

The staff at Bandelier are great. The trails are easy to follow. Cafe has great burgers. Only problem was other visitors not respecting the trails, going off trail when signs say not to. It does have a small parking lot but that was good because there were a lot of people there

Really nice drive and semicolon from Santa Fe. The park has a concrete walkway all the way up to the first set of cliff dwellings. About a 1/2 mile hike further to the large cliff dwellings. The dwellings lower on the trail are easy to access, the larger one is much harder. About 150 steps up a pretty vertical ladder. But amazing views once you get up to the top! Beautiful hike to the upper cliff dwelling even if you don’t want to go up. Clean restrooms, nice gift shop, and I believe a cafe (not sure if it was open). Surely wroth the stop!

What a wonderful place. Historic sites are very close. tParking is very tight. Staff was very nice. Cafe was EXCELLENT. A great place to understand this culture.

You can drive in before 9 A.M. of after 3 P.M. Otherwise, you get the shuttle from White Rock, which runs every 30 minutes.

Inside the Visitor Center is a small, but very well done Museum. A great NPS brochure is available at the Visitor Center.

Several hikes, conveniently, begin in the area of the Visitor Center. We saw no mammals, very few birds, and two species of lizards on the hikes we took. The live of the Ancestral Pueblo people who inhabited this area is very interesting.

Is this New Mexico's next National Park?

It's a good visit if you have the right expectations. This is not some sort of scenic spot where you'll marvel at the place's beauty and grandeur. Instead, it's a place for learning about the history of a people and their living conditions. Hence, it's critical to go to the Visitor's Center, borrow or buy a guide, and slowly go through the trail while reading the guide. The trail is actually short and easy (a little stairs, but nothing serious). A lot of people brought little children here, but I'm not so sure that children would enjoy Bandelier, as they might see it as school.

Catch the shuttle at White Rock - it runs every thirty minutes. Take the main loop when you get there. Lots to see.

Brilliant area to visit and very interesting to see how the Indians lived then. The walk is easily marked out and not too strenuous

Great day. Weather wonderful. To see alcove house they limit 15 at a time.
Was peaceful. Multiple hikes around. Shuttle takes you from Los Alamos to park.

Wow. We had a great time and really enjoyed our time ther3. Incredibly beautiful and easy to navigate. It is popular so go early.

We visited Bandalier National Park in June, 2022, and there were only 5 trails open due to forest fires. However, we highly recommend walking the trails around the National Park Visitor Center on Pubelo Trail to see and climb up into the cliff dwellings. We also hiked the Tyuonyi Overlook trail which is about 2 miles and brings you out to overlook the National Park visitor center below.

Make sure when setting out to Bandelier National Monument to set your GPS for the Bandelier Visitor Center because if you do not you will end up at the Los Alamos National Laboratories and need to go through a security checkpoint and show your driver’s license before proceeding ahead towards the back entrance of the park. True story! After a small detour we did find our way into the park and found a great parking spot right in front of the facilities and small museum. After settling in we headed out on the 1.3 mile loop around the park which include a few opportunities to climb into some of the caves via ladders (side note, these can be dangerous for those not in the best of shape, please be careful!). In fact it would not surprise us if these were fully closed for cave entry at some point in the next ten years, so if you go make sure to experience them while you can. We were not planning a full day so after the loop toured the museum and also the gift shop and overall had a great experience. We saw others going on longer hikes so there are multiple options for a full day. We chose a shorter stay as we were heading to Taos afterward. The scenery at the park is excellent and you learn a lot too about how the Native Americans lived. Educational and a good workout, who could ask for more!

Walkable park with several cliff dwelling sites. Cafeteria closed when we were there, probably for season and COVID. Easy to spend 3-4 hours in the valley.

This is a magnificent national monument which should not be missed. We were guided by a ranger who imparted information regarding the site. The walk was gorgeous with beautiful views. The ruins fabulous.

We spent 3.5 hours exploring Bandelier National Monument and could have spent more time. Nice visitor center too. Ate at the cafe. The food was good but over priced, but what isn't now days!

This place is amazing for cliff dwellings. I've been to some in Arizona that you see from a far. These you are up close and personal and able to go into a few. There is also quite a bit of petroglyphs. The extra walk up to the Alcove House is well worth it. If you are up to it there is a dwelling 140 ft high in the side of the cliff... accessible by stairs and ladders. What a great place to learn some history of the local Pueblo people.

We spent about an hour here. The self guided tour was interesting as were the cavates and petroglyphs. It was a fairly easy trail to walk, but the elevation caused some folks to struggle a little and stop ocasionally to catch their breath. We visited in February and it was a little chilly.

We traveled here during the week in September, and after seeing all of the overflow parking and rules about shuttles, we were glad we were not here during a busier time. I can't imagine trying to see the sites with crowds nipping at your feet. As it was, we skipped crawling into the cliff dwellings because strangers were squished close together and lines were forming to get in the close spaces. Instead, we walked onto the Alcove House and climbed up several long ladders to reach the top. We were rewarded with few people and stunning views. The entire park is gorgeous but take the park seriously when you are told to bring a lot of water, sun screen, hats and snacks. There is a nice little gift shop and a cute cafe, but we picnicked in solitary bliss along the river at a table. We couldn't get into the visitor's center because of Covid protocols but rangers were posted outside to help with questions. But as I said, if you can avoid weekends and high summer visits, do so.

If you aren’t into honing but still want to see some Native American history then check into this national monument. They age a mile and a quarter trail they shows you a kiva and Pueblo dwellings up close and personal. If you are not ambitious and want to get lost in nature they have ore than 70 miles of trails.

Don't let the drive fool you or stop you. This is a MUST SEE even if you are not a hiker. Give the indigenous people their due, and see where it all started. You can walk it, hike it, climb it (on ladders), and learn all about it. The Alcove House is a must see. Get there early as crowds can be large. Bring your cameras so you won't miss a moment.

There is a nice, easy trail here to stroll into history. I highly recommend visiting if you are in the Santa Fe area. The drive from Santa Fe is scenic and an easy one. There is a nice overlook of the canyon as you drive into the park. The main loops offers some beautiful scenery as well as an education.

such a cool place to visit! they have wonderful cliff dwellings that you can actually climb the ladders and enter to see how people would have lived, the area is beautiful and such s great place to spend the day walking around
be prepared for some steps though, steep steps, uneven steps, small steps, you have to go up and down some rocky ones to get to the dwellings but it’s nothing that requires any skill, just not friendly for some disabilities or older folks.

We walked out on the upper path, visiting several caves. We returned on the lower path, enjoying the beauty, shade, and ease of the flat lower walk back to the visitor center.

I parked at the White Rock visitor center to catch the shuttle. There is regular and RV parking at the visitor center. It runs every half hour on the hour, but you will want to get there early to use the bathroom, pay for your permit, and walk down to the shuttle stop. You can also download the trail map app and guide to your phone while here (and in cell range) or pay $2 at the visitor center for a paper guide. The shuttle filled up when I returned mid-day and stragglers had to wait for the next shuttle. I took the shuttle down to the visitor center. I didn't have a lot of time, so I just stopped at the bathroom. I walked the Pueblo Loop Trail (including the spur to the Alcove House). I recommend coming early, before it heats up, during warm times of year. I would have enjoyed more time at the visitor center, gift shop, and cafe, but was short on time. The shuttle is about 26 minutes each way, so be sure to leave time in your plans for that.

This place is truly an awesome "Hidden" Gem. Only hidden because most people dont know about it. These are like 1000 year old Pueblos and you have to climb ladders to get in a few. It was totally awesome and I dont think pictures can even convey how beautiful and fun this place was. If you are in Santa Fe or Alburquque you really need to go here. It was totally amazing

This was one of my top 5 things to do while I was visiting New Mexico and it did not disappoint. However, my suggestion is Get There Early! I got there at 7:30 on a Thursday morning. I did not have to take the very long shuttle (you are required to take it after 9). And I only saw one other person for the first hour I was there (by 9 it started getting busy). The quiet morning made the experience so peaceful and I really took my took my time exploring everything. And by the time I was done looking around, the visitors center was open.

Remarkable scenery and early Pueblo Indian dwellings. We took a shuttle bus from the White Rock Visitors Center as no vehicles are allowed into the Park until after 3 pm due to limited parking. The bus is free. There is a cost of admission, but we have our National Parks Seniors Pass that allowed us free entry. Walking trails from the visitor center at the park entrance take you to Cliff dwellings and Pueblo homes from hundreds of years ago. There are also a lot of other hiking trails.

We visited Bandelier National Monument in mid March and had a wonderful time. The park has several well marked trails with informational plaques. Take the time to learn about the people who lived in the area and enjoy nature.

Three families of 10 adults went for the Main Loop Trail hike. Eight adults did the whole Loop, while 2 older adults stopped and returned a the beginning of the Cliff Dwellings. All enjoy the trail and sites. Great Park adventure.

2.5 mile loop is very beautiful with great interpretive guide you pick up at the visitor center. Be advised that no pets are allowed on the trails. Also, $25 entrance fee per vehicle (annual pass is worth it if you're a local and frequent visitor). I enjoyed this place as much as Mesa Verde and found myself able to get to know the cliff dwellings more intimately because there weren't as many other visitors or rangers around. Super cool place to visit, especially with kids!

We visited Santa Fe recently and before the trip, I had read about the Bandelier national monument / park. Our trip was in December 2019 and was second half of the day - I'd recommend spending more time over there (arriving more like early afternoon). Bandelier is packed with natural beauty and history. It was wonderful to see ancient houses / fields of the natives and specially the way those have been preserved. This place is a must visit!

Great park with nicely spaced out informational areas to learn about the history of the area. I’ll always enjoy national parks and monuments with their nature and history. We went early in the morning and so it wasn’t too busy and overrun with tourists. Just did the simple loop trail, which was great. Very nice employee in the gift shop.

Absolutely amazing and beautiful. Place with historic significance that is wonderfully preserved. A 1.4 mile loop hike easy to do. Great facilities. In spite of being someone who is unenthusiastic about hiking, I loved this place. A must visit if you are in the area. Beautiful drive from Santa Fe to Bandalier.

In August 2022, our family visited Bandelier National Monument for a second time. The first time we went was in October 2019 and we were able to drive our car up to the Park visitor center. According to the Park website, during the peak season, you can only drive your car up before 9 AM and after 3 PM. On our latest trip, we had to park our car in the White Rock Visitor Center and take the free shuttle to the Park as we arrived too late to drive straight up. However, visitors with a vehicle handicap sticker can skip the mandatory shuttle and drive straight to the visitor center. Note that you still have to pay the park entrance fee unless you have a park pass already.

You will come into the Park via NM-4. Be on the lookout for a white radio telescope which is one of many radio telescopes used to configure the Very Large Array based near Socorro, New Mexico. (The VLA is a neat place to visit). After you spot the telescope, you will encounter a narrow two lane road that hugs the towering cliff above you. Large vehicles will want to go slow in this area until the road opens up again at the top or take the Park shuttle. When you reach the Park visitor center, do touch base with the Rangers there to get your bearings and answer any questions that you may have. Particularly what hiking trails are available. There are rest rooms at the center but do bring your own water and sun/rain gear. The visitor center and parts of the Main Loop Trail (Pueblo Loop Trail) are wheelchair accessible but most of it "is an improved surface trail, it is NOT ADA accessible due to some steep grades, etc".

While not entirely correct, I view the Main Loop trail and the nature trail to Alcove House as consisting of four distinct areas: the Kiva's, the cliff dwellings with ladders on your right, more cliff dwellings right by the trail without ladders (aka Long House) and the Alcove House. As you enter the Main Loop Trail from the back of the Visitors Center, you will have an easy grade to walk on. As you approach the Kiva area, look to your right to see multiple cliff openings/dwellings. Once at the Kiva area, there are signs describing what you are looking at. Continue along the trail and head uphill to reach the cliff dwellings above the Kivas. You will be able to go inside and look around the dwellings and climb the supplied ladders to see the second story dwellings. Follow the trail downhill until you reach the next set of cliff dwellings (i.e. Long House) that are hued into a vertical cliff. Be on the lookout for faded petroglyphs that are on the cliff face. Note the holes in the
side of the cliff which enabled dwellers to get to the upper stories via poles. Follow the trail until you hit a bridge that crosses over to the dirt nature trail which will take you to the Alcove House. The Alcove was the favorite part of our visit. Once there, you will need to climb 3-4 steep ladders and walk a very narrow path until you reach the Kiva at the top and a spectacular view of the surrounding area. These ladders are not for the faint of heart or for smaller children. As I recall, further along the dirt path is a campground. However, we usually turn around and come back the way we came.

On our most recent visit, we encountered two rattlesnakes. One was camouflaged near the nature trail to the Alcove House. Do keep your children close to you at all times. The other one was under some steps
on the cliff dwelling trail which the Park Rangers were all over it (keeping it contained until relocation).

Bandelier National Monument is one of our favorite National Monuments/Parks. We have visited Taos Pueblo and Sky Pueblo which are absolutely amazing but we had limited access to the dwellings there.
Here at Bandelier, we could actually go in and experience the living quarters occupied by people of the Ancestral Pueblo culture (1100-1550 A.D.). These were a very hardy people. You won't find any TV's
or Internet here.

it's a not to be missed and truly stunning place to visit. Utterly fascinating to see how the Pueblo Indians lived so many years ago and read about their history. We took the about 1 1/4 mile loop trail that does have a fair amount of steps up and down. The railings help. Keep in mind the elevation. If you want to view inside some of the caves you have to climb up on a ladder (not too difficult). We could also see some petroglyphs ... although a bit faint. We want to come back and explore this amazing place more. The park has many many hiking possibilities. Entry prices depend on how many people, the car, etc. We had a lifetime pass.

We loved visiting this national monument. It is one of the few, if only places that have ladders for you to climb and go into the cliff dwellings. That was a neat experience.
We enjoyed walking the well marked trails leading to the different dwellings. We met and walked with a very nice park volunteer who shared so much information with us. She was out walking the trails and talking to people. Friendly staff and very well maintained.

Excellent day excursion from Albuquerque, only a 1 hr and 45 minute easy highway drive. Highly recommended experience, easy hike, incredible cave formations, great little visitors center. It's great that they allow you to climb up into one of the caves, the view looking out over the complex is wonderful. Completely enjoyable, scenic day!

Note: we did not get cell service within the park, if you're trying to be available/reachable for important calls, this is not the place for that!

I had been here 40 yrs ago and enjoyed my second trip as well! The weather was clear and cool, 50 degrees, we got there early to miss the crowds. We walked the round trip and climbed the ladders, saw mule deer on the trail, had a nice chat with a squirrel that walked along with me(no, I didn’t feed him....or her?). The walk was amazing and the park is beautiful! The hike and especially the ladders were moderately challengingly for our group (we all qualified for the “old age” priority vaccinations) but not enough to make you hesitate to take the hike. We had several young kids (8-10 yos ahead of us that climbed the final ladders. Bring water and there is a pottery on the trail. I’ll post a few pictures, hard to do it justice, but I want to tell you about our fabulous lunch and shopping adventure!
The cafe was open with indoor and out door tables (we opted for outdoor) and asked the host/cook “JP” what was the best. He claimed the best burgers in NM so we took the challenge! He recommended the Doug Burger which is topped with onions, Hatch chili relleno, delicious BBQ sauce, bacon, mozzarella cheese and more.... all I can say is “WOW”. He was right, if not the best...? my friends opted for the cheese burger with buffalo bacon and mozzarella. He obviously was very proud of his cafe and also fun to talk to. This was the best traveler’s cafe I have eaten at in memory. They had other items and absolutely family/kid friendly.... medium priced.
Another surprise was the gift shop. I met the manager who called the shop”my baby” as I perused the “sale” rack, nice stuff, neatly displayed and well priced. I bought a very reasonably priced Navaho pottery bowl (it was nice to have great provenance) and a coffee table book.
The rangers were friendly, the trails were well walked and trash free. Don’t miss this National Monument (the senior park pass is good) if you get in the area, you will love the scenery and history.

This is such a special place you don’t want to miss. We were however vey disappointed that the Alcove House was inaccessible to visitors after coming west all the way from Massachusetts. We did however get to see many other archeological sites and could climb a few short ladders. We even found a tarantula in one crevice! A very sacred place that we hope will be respected for future generations.

Worth the drive and visit! We hiked snd climbed all over the ruins! Lots yo see and learn about! Take
Plenty of water snd hydrate!

This is very unlike other pueblo and cliff dwellings. And there is so much of it. You can still see the 'painting' on the walls of some of the cliff houses, there are hieroglyphs, there are partial walls of the lower houses and the round pueblo on the valley floor. This is absolutely worth the drive and the time to explore and assimilate what it was like here so many years ago.

Such a rich archaeological site, and the climbable ladders make participation an incredible experience for able-bodied folks above the age of about six.

We arrived to Bandelier National Monument Visitor center around 11am but there was no parking on the main lot. No big deal: the overflow parking was plentiful.

We followed the most popular trail, the Pueblo Loop Trail. It is a paved and meticulously maintained path, so no hiking challenges here. The views are other-worldly… better to look at the photos than to read my ramblings.

We walked up the steps to the cliff dwellings, where our adventure has really begun. There are wooden ladders to climb up and go inside the dwelling called Talus… I am afraid of heights, but to miss something so out of the ordinary??? No way! Deep breath and here I go: climbing up the ladder following my brave husband. Surprisingly, I reached the cave without any problems and my knees were not even shaking. I was very proud of myself: here I am inside the pre-historic dwelling! My husband was navigating me on the descent and I was on the ground in a matter of minutes. There are three dwellings to climb to and see the “interior”; we did the two of them, but the third one, Casa Kiva, was closed due to vandalism. Imagine that!!!

We also spotted some petroglyphs along the way and a group of dwellings, which looked like apartment houses: the Long House.

The descent was steep in some places but the steps made it really easy.

After our adventures in the cliff dwellings we returned to the car along the beautiful green alley running parallel to the tranquil and picturesque Frijoles Creek.

Our next stop was at the beautiful Frijoles Canyon carved over thousands of years by the waters of Frijoles Creek. Breathtaking panorama!

We will never forget our day in Bandelier National Monumen

This place is a hidden gem; the trail is easy and a time portal waking with the natives. I truly enjoyed the experience the caves and the kiva atop of alcove. My wife and I rank it as one of favorites

I went on a weekday morning. It was not crowded and the weather was beautiful. I walk with a cane and the nature trail plus the paved path (it is a wide sidewalk) were perfectly accessible. I did climb some steps to get a better look at some of the dwellings. The steps and ramp on one end were fine, the ones on the other end were very difficult (should have gone back the way I came). Rangers were friendly and helpful, gift shop was nice, and the scenery beautiful.

Mark the gentleman that ran the that visitor's center was extremely rude. It was an absolutely beautiful hike, but mark almost ruined it for entire

Beautiful views and tons of history in this park. We did the Frey Hike, Main loop, and Alcove House with two kids 9 and 6. Frey Hike was challenging on the way back up but our kids are troopers. If not wet, tennis shoes are fine for all of these trails.

We stayed with a 28ft camper in Juniper Campground. We called on our way there to ask where the water fill up and dump station was located since we knew there were no electrical or water hookups at site. They gave us directions to the fill/dump station. Once we arrived there was a sign that the station was closed. There are bathrooms in each loop and they have water hand pumps near. Those worked so we manually filled a few gallons to put in our trailer tank. The next day at the visitor center they told us that the lines have been busted for a while and there will not be water available at the full/dump station until the spring! You’d think they would have an advisory online or tell you that when you call. It worked for us because we had a way to manually add water to our tank but it would be good to know before hand so you can be sure to have the supplies.

If it’s your first time there, I’d advise to park and walk around the loops before driving around especially if you arrive at night. No lights are up which makes for wonderful camping but hard parking. Most spots appear to be for tents or if you back your trailer in, you’d have to unhook and park your truck somewhere else. There are some pull through spots and we found site 55 in the (C) - Coyote loop to be good. Very few sites appear level so be prepared for that.

Overall quiet park with nice bathrooms if you plan to use them. And we absolutely LOVED our hikes. Saw tons of mule deer, squirrels and one rabbit.

Grab a self guiding map from the visitor's center for $2 then hit the trail! There is a $25 parking fee unless you happen to visit on one of the 6 days that are "fee free" days. (Check the national park site for details)

We arrived about 15 minutes after the national monument opened. The hours changed recently so we arrived at 8:45am and it was PERFECT! As we were leaving a few hours later it was starting to get much busier and the shuttle was running. We didn't have to use the shuttle because we were early! They have clean bathrooms. The Monument itself was a lovely hike and we did the main loop trail and the alcove house trail. Beautiful and amazing information.

This is such an incredible experience! Its a national park we got a national park pass. There are two sites as part of the park. Bandelier and Tsankawi. We stopped at Bandelier first. There was plenty of parking. We had a great meal at their cafe famous for their burgers and Indian fry bread. There are restrooms onsite near the visitor center. Definitely tour the visitor center for history and learning. My son enjoyed doing the junior ranger program. We then set out on the trails. Its definitely a 2 hr walk to see all the sites. Wear good hiking shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, carry water. The views of the cliffs are amazing. The trails are well marked. We stopped at the first cavates and climbed the ladders. There are plenty of people around awaiting their turn. We then set out for the alcove house which was closed for climbing but still incredible to look at. We saw deers along the way. Its such a fun experience. We then visited Tsankawi which is an amazing place with petroglyph.

This National Monument is really amazing. The trail up to the ladders to look inside the dwellings on the main loop contain some narrow stairs, but they are not very difficult. The ladders themselves are are easy to climb and so worth a look inside. My husband and I did the entire loop and then headed to the Alcove House which involves a lot of steps and ladders! He did the climb and enjoyed it. I enjoyed the bench where I could watch him enjoy the climb. Great place to visit!

My son & I visited Bandelier National Monument in June 2022, it was first of our Ancient Native Trails. We got there early, of the first one, it was very interesting, they were cliff dwellers. There was easy trail that ran next to the Cliff dwelling then it went into the woods, it was pretty cool.

Visited in late August. If you get to the park before 9am you can drive straight to the park, otherwise need to take a shuttle. We did the former - which was great because you can come and go as you’d like vs wait for a shuttle. Walked the Pueblo Loop Trail - fascinating to see the cliff dwellings. Can climb short ladders to step inside the craters. Beyond that trail we walked to the alcove house which involves a 140 feet ascent on several wood ladders which are quite steep. But I’m in my fifties and was able to handle. Was glad I conquered my fears and made the trip. The whole hike took us 1.5 hours round trip- with stops to take photos. Visited the cafe afterwards and enjoyed a burger which came with chips.

We took a day trip from Santa Fe to Chimayo, and then headed to Bandelier via Los Alamos. By arriving in the late afternoon, off season, we could just drive to the main lodge at the trailhead instead of taking the shuttle. Pro tip - do it this way! The walk was an easy 1.2 miles and the ability to get close (and into) some of the cliff dwellings was amazing! And the drive to and from was delightful. Put this on your list!

Did the loop trial and also the Alcove house. Took about 2.5 hors as the wait times were a little longer as there were lots of people at the park. Waited to climb up to the Alcove house about 15 minutes. The climb can be a little scary has you do go up fairly high. Great views from the top. Would wear good walking shoes and a hat The movie in the visitor center is interesting but not something you need to do if your time is limited. Getting the trail guide is helpful as it does explain some of the number sites along the trial. The restaurant has good food at fairly reasonable prices. If coming up from White Rock you will need to park at the visitor center and ride the shuttle as they do not allow cars to drive in and park between 9 am and 3 pm. After 3 you can drive into the park and park at visitor center. Gates close at dusk , but if you are still in the park you can still get out as the gate opens up as you approach it.

We enjoyed seeing the Pueblo cliff dwellings here on the main trail. The kids wished they could climb into all of them, but they liked what they could climb into. We'd like to return and walk the waterfall trail on a future trip.

Bandelier protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives.

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.

Visited as part of an organized group outing. Well stocked park store and the loop trail is super easy. Our guide was very knowledgeable, the temperatures were great and we took ample pictures to document our visit. A must do when in the area.

Beautiful place to visit - even with some mobility issues. The stairs to the cliff dwellings are a little scary, but doable. I’m recovering from knee and ankle issues, but was able to make it all the way to the top of the first set of them (we walked 1-17 on the trail map.) I let my husband climb the ladders to see inside the caves themselves.

People are kind and waited for me when I needed an extra minute to slowly ascend or descend. Once you start going up there are a few bench areas to sit down and relax. It was so worth it and the views are marvelous. It was cool to see the Pueblo area from above.

I took lots of photos of the stairs to help anyone else who is worried about them. Some are quite narrow but there are handrails and the rocks themselves you can hang onto.

We skipped the long house cliff area (stops 18+) and instead walked the nature trail back which was lovely.

Stop in the cafe and see the photo above the fireplace - you might recognize people from the Manhattan project. They stayed there at Bandolier.

Spent the afternoon hiking and visiting this national park. Trials, walkways, picnic areas & camping available. Beautiful scenery, creeks, long ago Pueblo community. Nature available to see as well in a rare eco-system. Enjoy.

We have lived in northern New Mexico for nearly fifty years, and have loved this place even longer. We visited it as children ourselves, took our children there, and recently visited again with our five grandchildren under eight.

The hike along the "loop" trail intrigued the children, especially the climbs up the ladders to the cave dwellings, imagining the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here centuries ago. The kids insisted on going the extra half mile up to the Alcove House under the overhanging cliff, with its ceremonial kiva. The museum at the visitors center held their attention as well.

A surprise to us on this first post-pandemic shut-down visit was the new cafe by the visitors' center, Sirphey's at Bandlier. Really wonderful food, amazing in such a remote and tiny place, and phenomenal service.

Bandelier is especially magical in the cool of a summer morning, and if you can arrive before 9:00 a.m. (or after 3:00 p.m.) you can park right at the visitors' center instead of taking the shuttle bus from White Rock.

A unique introduction to the ancient culture of the Anasazi people, the ancestors of today's Pueblo people, and a great introduction to cultural anthropology and the life work of Adolph Bandelier, who brought the knowledge of these remarkable indigenous people to the attention of Europe and the United States in the 1880s.

Definitely worth a trip. And then another.

This was my forth visit over the past 25+ years. Wonderful as always. One ladder accessed dwelling was closed due to 'vandalism' which was upsetting; who does that??
The folks who are now running the Cafe (for the past year or so) are fabulous. Everything was fresh and delicious. It was a nice cap to a lovely visit

This was so much better than we first thought it would be. Never heard of it before so we decided to take the drive. We were very happy we did. Nice trails, not difficult. Beautiful scenery and history as well. The ranger was walking around and he told us some interesting stories about the area. Highly recommend.

Shuttle runs every 20 minutes to take you from visitor center to main gate to the park. The main trail brings you along the dwellings and other structures used by the tribes many years ago. Ladders were on some dwellings so you can experience going inside these caves. I also would recommend following the trail to the Alcove House. Can climb 4 ladders up to a every large dwelling.
There is also a great soup and sandwich shop, Pig And Fig, across the way after the shuttle drops you off at you car.

A great place to learn about the Anasazi ancestral people, climb up the ladders to enter their caves and admire the stunning view. There are several trails to explore. A great experience!

What an amazing beautiful fantastic park and a complete worthwhile experience! There are trails for all types. Put this park on your list!

Very interesting monument. We did the main loop trail. Unfortunately the Alcove House trail was closed when we visited because a rainstorm had washed away the trail. I'll focus this review on a few tips:

1. Buy the trail guide for $3. It's worth it. It gives you good information about various stops along the main loop trail. It was just the right amount of information - not too much and not too little. Without that guide there are only a few signs with information. So, you really wouldn't know much about what you're looking at. They also have regular ranger tours of the main loop trail, so that's another option if you don't want to buy the guide.

2. If you visit in September, call the park to find out if visitors can park in the lot at the monument or if they have to take the shuttle bus from White Rock. The official website said you can only park in the main parking lot if you arrive before 9am, after that visitors are required to take the shuttle bus through October. However, when we visited in mid-September 2024 they had already stopped requiring visitors to take the shuttle bus. So, we got up really early in order to get to the main parking lot before 9am, and then learned that wasn't necessary anymore.

3. The restaurant is pretty good. And the gift shop is nice. The film and exhibits in the visitor's center are interesting.

We spent about 2 - 3 hours here.

Pretty cold in the middle of the winter but this place is great. We just did the 2.5 mile loop and learned about the original inhabitants… amazing how they were able to survive and build those caves and homes.
Many areas would be hard to reach if having mobility issues.
Small museum at the entrance.
We saw some animals and the kids were entertained!

Nice day trip from Santa Fe, drive up to the visitor center is very scenic. Visitor Center was closed but restrooms open. Main Loop Trail definitely worthwhile. Would recommend if in the area.

We spent most of the day here and felt the need to return. There is so much to see and do. The trails are well marked. Parking was no problem for us. We all agree that we must return to spend more time in this national park. It is well worth the time.

We made it a priority to visit Bandelier National Monument this summer. We missed it last year and we are really glad we reserved an extra night in Santa Fe so we could make the quick hour drive up to the monument. We were not disappointed! The views into the canyon were spectacular and driving adjacent to the Los Alamos Lab was really interesting and helped us plan the second half of our day. We took the loop trail from the visitors center and really enjoyed the ruins and the views of the canyon and the amazing sky with a massive thunderstorm brewing to the north. Most of the loop trail is wheel chair accessible, really only the bit by the long house was tough for those with mobility issues. Anyway, take the time to visit this amazing canyon and if possible enjoy more than just the loop by the visitors center.

Bandelier National Monument is beautiful. There are so many trails to hike and things to see you'll need at least 2-3 hours to see and do it all! This is a great place for families and the elderly. Some of the pathways are flat and easy to walk. The drive to the monument from the front gate is gorgeous. Be sure to visit the overlook, the view is stunning!

Our guide helped us see all the Petroglyphs. Also, I saw deer and elk just off our trail. They also have an unbelievable series of ladders that you can climb to visit some of the native housing. This park has it all definitely visit if you have the time.

The area by the visitors center had a great handicapped accessible trail. You could learn a lot and get rather close to the dwellings, but there was a lot that was off limits. They really wanted visitors to stay on the trail and I guess that is justified given the amount of visitors and the fragility of the area. The restrictions around the dwellings was such a bummer that I would have given this a poor review, but then we did the 1.4 mile (2.8 round trip (that's a guess, not exact)) to the falls and were shocked by the beauty and views on that trail. If you're able, go view the falls; it makes the whole visit worthwile.

I visited Bandelier National Monument on a day trip while vacationing in Albuquerque. The drive from Albuquerque up to White Rock past Santa Fe was fun as the highway winds up the mountain. Unless you arrive before 9 am or after 3 pm, you can't drive directly to Bandelier, you have to go to the White Rock visitor center and catch a bus to the site. This is due to there is limited parking at the site. If you have an America the Beautiful pass don't waste your time in the visitor center on arrival, as the ladies in there seemed to be a bit to old and confused to be doing the job of directing people where to go. Just go directly to the bus stop by the street. If you don't have a pass you can pay the entrance fee to the ranger at Bandelier. The buses are jammed packed, with lots of people having to stand, but they do have disabled seats. I think they need to add more buses. The site itself was not very crowded, and it was a great day of hiking. There are ladders where you can enter some of the rooms, and the main house requires climbing up several steep ladders (I didn't climb that one). The wait for the bus to get back can be up to 20 minutes, and again the bus was jam packed. On my drive back to Albuquerque I took the long way around the other side of the mountain, through Jemez Springs and San Ysidro. If you take this route it's a country mountain road with sharp curves along steep drop offs, and you pass some of the Las Alamos lab sites (no entrance allowed). It was a fun drive, but be advised if you take this route it takes much longer to get back to the city, and there are no stops for many miles, so make sure you have water/drinks.

The Bandelier rangers are nice and knowledgeable especially the lead female ranger. Sorry, so busy we didn't catch her name. Arrived an hour before closing and the rangers equipped us with best information and materials to make the most of our limited time. Walked the easy main trail past the kiva and plaza ruins, up the stairs leading to one a few ladders where you could climb/crawl into a very small two person sized cave/room.

Notes of interest - cell phone coverage is effectively nonexistent in the canyon, and bathrooms are limited to the visitor center. The ambient temperature in the canyon was noticeably warming than Santa Fe.

Bandelier National Monument is a terrific place to visit. You hike up to the Cliff Dwellings and are able to go inside via the ladders. Wonderful Views of the once thriving pueblo below. The hike is about a mile roundtrip. We had lunch on one of the picnic tables near the visitor center.

We visited with our two teens (15 & 13) and everyone enjoyed this monument. The drive to get there was also beautiful. We did the main loop trail and Alcove House. We were there about 1 hr 45 minutes and thought it was great. I recommend paying for the $2 booklet and reading the entries at each of the points throughout the trail. We went over spring break and I was worried about parking given other reviewers. We arrived at 9:15am to a pretty empty lot. When we left at 11am there were still spots in the main lot and an empty overflow lot. However, the busier it gets I assume there would be lines to get on the ladders to see inside the caves. We had no wait at all.

We were in Santa Fe for a family get-together and decided on a day trip to Bandelier National Monument. Like almost all of the National Parks, this is a special place. It has the unique prehistoric cliff dwellings that you can climb into. It also has some scenic hiking trails. It is easy or challenging; you have your choice. Again, it is 3 to 4 hours or all day. It is worth doing with the family.

High elevation federal protected site up by Los Alamos. Includes pueblo ruins as well as many miles of trail. During the busy season, the main section of the park is accessed by bus shuttle from nearby White Rock. The handicapped, people with pets, and campers are permitted to drive-in. Rangers give orientations for bus arrivals. Following that, on a first visit, it's best to take the main trail loop to the pueblo section and then down around into the forest. The trail will lead back to the visitor center but, if you're looking for a bit of adventure, there's a spur trail out into the wilderness area that will give you access to the Alcove House about 1/2 mile away. Sometimes a ranger will be there to provide interpretive information. Otherwise you are free just to look up at the cave, about 140 feet up slope or, even, climb a series of ladders and steps to reach the actual cave (hint: the second ladder is the longest). If you choose to climb, you'll be using muscles and ligaments that you don't ordinarily exercise. And you might be quite exhausted when you return to the bottom. Upon your arrival at the alcove, you might have to take turns with others entering the cave area. The kiva is closed off and may never open again for ordinary visitors. Once all this is completed, you can continue to hike around. Please inquire when the last shuttle leaves for White Rock. There are other trails inside the main section as well as outside on the Pajarito Plateau. One option to the main loop trail is to descend the shuttle at he Juniper campground station and walk downslope on the Frey Trail. It will lead you directly onto the Pueblo loop. For food, supplies, and souvenirs - you can find all that adjacent to the visitor center.

I wasn't sure what to expect at this park. My wife and I exited the shuttle early and did the hike down to the visitor center. The views were wonderful and I don't recall a place being so quiet. I am glad this is all preserved as a national park. I highly recommend this to anyone who is in the area.

I’m so glad we decided to visit. If you have time while visiting Sant Fe, this is worth a side trip. We love hiking and history, both were here. With limited time and our first time visiting, we decided to do the main loop and the nature side trail. I’m glad I read a review to purchase the 2 dollar booklet guide with the descriptions describing the stops along the trail. The steps and ladders into the cliff dwellings were not difficult. We really enjoyed learning about the prehistoric people living in and around this area. So much to see and lots of interesting history to indulge in. We wanted to hike a bit more so we took the path to the Alcove house. It was a nice easy trail, but once we got there we decided not to climb the very high steep ladders up to it. There are warnings if you’re afraid of heights or if you have any other health issues. While we are not really afraid of heights so much, we really had enough and didn’t feel the need to climb up.

Bandelier is a beautiful and unique spot, well worth the time to visit. It gets HOT and busy after about 10am, get there early. We arrived at 9:30 and parking was nearly gone, by 11:30 it was too hot to want to explore more. Bring your sunscreen and water!

Especially if you have kids with you, spend the $2 to buy the paper guide. There are about 20 numbered spots along the trail and the guide walks you through the history and significance at each marker. The main path is paved, an easy walk, but it goes up several sets of stairs and along the rockface. There are several places you can climb ladders into the alcoves in the rocks - do not miss this! It took us about 2 hours to complete the loop with a 9 and 12 year old.

There are plenty of picnic tables in the area, pack a cooler for lunch. There is a small cafe but we found it to be pricey and mediocre.

A wonderful natural museum to explore the early inhabitants of this area. Beautifully preserved wonderful to walk.

It was disappointing that the trail to Alcove house was closed due to damage caused by flash flooding. However, the short Pueblo loop trail was open and it was wonderful.

The Pueblo history of the sight is very interesting but the sight is also very beautiful with different ecological zones converging in one place. I would have liked to be able to explore 1 or 2 of the longer trails, but it is worth coming just for the short pueblo loop. There is quite a good museum in the visitor centre but the short film is not very informative and can be missed.

This was a surprise highlight of our family road trip to New Mexico and Utah! We were here in June and it does get very hot so make sure you bring enough water. It is more of a hike than we expected but very manageable for different fitness levels, make sure to where proper footwear. You can really envision how the world may have looked when people lived here! Super cool and unique place to visit! Give yourself at least a couple hours to check it out!

Amazing historic site 100’s of years old. If you live history of the area this is for you. There is a cafe and visitor center as well as camping and picnic areas.

This is an amazing place to view cliff dwellings. Having visited Mesa Verde recently, this is much more intimate and much less crowded. We visited on a Sunday in late September and still found a parking spot in the visitor center parking lot.

There were far fewer people on the trails than I expected for a weekend. There wasn't really any backup at any of the ladders into the caves and people seemed respectful of distancing and mask usage where needed.

There is a trail guide available for $2.00 which is worth it for information as you walk the loop trail. Be sure to walk the extra distance to the Alcove House. If you are able, it is worth climbing the several ladders to the top for the view. If not, it is still impressive to see from below.

I went here by myself while my husband was golfing. I was so impressed by the well preserved history & wonderful access they allowed us! I loved exploring the cliff dwellings & walking on the incredible trail. I’ll be back with hubby next time!
There is a gift shop, visitor center/museum, cafe & restrooms. The parking area isn’t too big, although there is good overflow parking. I had my 26 ft RV on this trip & found a good spot to park in the overflow area.

Very neat place to visit. We enjoyed our time there.
The cafe there is a awesome place to eat. My wife had a elk burger and it was delicious! They also have some amazing chocolate drinks. Very friendly staff and very affordable.

I visited Bandelier for the first time in mid-May. It's an easy daytrip from Santa Fe, and as my visit was before the busy summer season I was able to drive to the visitor center rather than taking the shuttle bus, and there was plenty of parking available. The visitor center and gift shop are very good and well worth checking out. As I had somewhat limited time at Bandelier I did only one hike, the Pueblo Loop Trail, with a side trip to Alcove House. The Pueblo Loop Trail is fairly easy and the first part of the loop, where the ruins of Native American structures as well as petroglyphs are located, is paved though there are parts going up and down slopes, with some stairways. There's a pamphlet available at the visitor center that was helpful in describing the sights along the trail. The remains of dwellings that were built out from the cliff face are very interesting to see, and though there are not many petroglyphs to see in this area, there are some good ones. The secong half of the loop trail is not paved but it's a very level and pleasant walk.

The side trip to Alcove House was a lot of fun. The alcove itself has a partially reconstructed kiva though not too much else. The main draw here is getting to the alcove, which involves climbing up a well-constructed trail and steps along the side of a cliff, including several spots where you have to ascend long wooden ladders. Those who are not the best of shape or who have a fear of heights may want to avoid the Alcove House trail but I enjoyed it a lot.

I should note that afternoon (when I was there) is probably the best time for this trail since the sun is on the cliffsides - I suspect this might be mostly or entirely in shadows during the morning. Be prepared with sunscreen, a good hat, and water.

I'd like to return to Bandelier National Monument when I have a bit more time, but even this brief afternoon visit was well worth it.

I have had the opportunity to visit Bandelier twice. The first time was in a sunny day with perfect temperature. It was wonderful! The dwellings look beautiful from the distance and it was very nice and easy to explore them. Of interest, there were very few people. I was with a guide; however, I did not have an opportunity to explore the alcove house. The second time was in a cloudy, somewhat rainy day. I was actually able to enjoy my visit more than the first time. I did not have a guide. The rain made me stay together with other few visitors inside one of the largest dwellings for approximately 30 minutes and the view was beautiful; more important I imagined how the Pueblo community used to live inside the dwellings. The rain when away and we continued our journey. We saw the petroglyphs and finally we walked to the Alcove House. Very easy trail; however, you have to climb some long stairs to reach the alcove house. It was opened and we were alone. The sun shined over the mountains and views from the Alcove House were phenomenal! Then we walk back to the visitor center following a trail that goes through the forest.

Parking was actually easy as there were no many people. We arrived in a morning of October 2021 at 1000 am and we left by 230 pm. We were doing a road trip in the South West. We visited Pecos, Mesa Verde, and the Chaco Canyon during this trip. These 4 sites complement each other from a historical point of view! Each one exemplifies different periods of the Pueblo civilization! Bandelier is one of the oldest living areas of the Pueblo; it is older than the Chaco Canyon.

We hiked the 1.5 mile trail and climbed the ladders into the allowed dwellings. Quite fascinating etchings on the exterior. Worth a visit. Our young grandsons loved the experience.

An exciting adventure for the courageous... and who are not afraid of heights.... very steep climbing on wooden ladders (140 feet vertical ascent). About a mile walking to start climbing.
My 5.5 year old granddaughter went all the way up. Going down may take longer.

We walked the main Pueblo loop, and out and up to Alcove House which closes during strong winds and other safety considerations. We also hiked the Falls Trail, and the Tyuonyi Overlook Trail, and most of the Frey Trail. I enjoyed the three $2 pamphlets I purchased in the store for these trails: Pueblo Loop Trail, Falls Trail, and Tsankawi. The first two are in the main Bandelier NM, Frijoles Canyon. Tsankawi is a separate portion of the park. Parking for the hike is on Route 4 just north of the East Jemez Road (truck Route) cutoff, which is about 3 miles north of White Rock. Tsankawi is more primitive and beautiful for it.

Named after an archaeologist that performed early digs in mexico, Bandelier is probably the only site where you can actually climb into some of the dwellings. The hike is mostly easy, there are some steep steps when you get to the actual dwellings. Expect a couple hours if people are taking pics at every step. Note if you're going to go to more than one National Park during your visit to New Mexico, invest in an annual national park pass, it'll pay for itself very quickly. Recommended

Excellent 3 mile hike thru an 11,000 year old pueblo community. Most of the walk can be pretty flat, unless you want to take the stairs/ ladders to the old dwellings. Bring water or purcase at the cafe. Numerous forest service personnel on the premises.

We joined a ranger led walk on the Main Loop Trail (Pueblo Loop Trail). The ranger was very informative and engaging and we learned a lot about the history of the people who lived in the pueblo. The ranger guides you on the first 1/2 mile or so of the trail and then you finish exploring on your own. Very well preserved historic site and beautiful scenery too. Unfortunately a few of the other trails we had hoped to hike were closed due to recent flash flooding.

Bandelier National Park is about an hour away from Santa Fe. If you are going in the summer, double check when the shuttle service starts. We were there the day before the shuttle service started, and I'm glad we were able to park right at the Visitor Center which is the start of the Pueblo Loop Trail to the cave dwellings and ruins. I believe if you get there before 9 or after 3, you can park inside the park, otherwise you will need to take the shuttle. The parking lot is not very large, hence the shuttle service. The Pueblo Loop Trail is a paved, level trail to the village ruins. This part of the trail is handicapped accessible, I believe. From this pueblo loop you can continue to climb to the cave dwellings that look down on the village ruins. These dwellings have short ladders you can climb to look into these cliff dwelllings. There is very little shade in these two portions of the trail. From there we continued to the Alcove House. There is a warning about the height of the ladders you need to climb to enter the Alcove House. If you have a fear of heights, you may want to reconsider this part of the hike. It is not a difficult climb; however there are 4 ladders, stone stairs, and narrow walkways that bring you 140 feet above the canyon floor. We met some who choose to wait on a bench at the bottom of the climb and watch other family members tackle the trail. This NP is a must to visit if you are in this part of New Mexico.

The drive from Santa Fe did not disappoint (breathtaking) and the hike was great. The history of these people that lived generations before us is remarkable. Don’t miss the 2-3 hour hike through New Mexico’s past.

We spent all day here! We did all the trails and enjoyed climbing the ladders to get to the caves. We got there early since it was spring break.

We live Albuquerque and made a first-time visit to Bandelier. It is a very accessible smaller cousin to Mesa Verde National Park.

In the summer months you must take a shuttle from White Rock. Takes 20-25 minutes each way. Get to the front of the line if you see a crowd. Some people had to wait for a second shuttle.

The visitor center is small with a nice museum.

We did the Main Loop and the alcove (120 of ladders and stairs). The alcove was definitely worth the walk.

Bring lots of water. There is a water refill station at the visitor's center.

So happy we took the time to go to this National Monument. The petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, kivas, and rock formations were simply amazing. So underrated compared to Mesa Verde and truly as remarkable.

Great & wonderful cliffs & caves. You may get a guided tour with a rancher or a self guided $3 pamphlet . Amazing cliffs and views. You can climb up the cliff to see the view and meeting place of Pueblo people. Brave & crazy to see how they lived with families and children on these cliffs!

A visit here takes you back in time 800 years to a time when the inhabitants lived in caves created in the rock cliffs. There is an easy trail from the visitors' center to explore the cliff homes. Walk a little farther and you find the Alcove House. Climb the ladders 140 feet to get a feel for the view from the homes. Visiting in the off season means less crowds.

We loves the area and our kids were amazed by the artwork on the cliffs. The park rangers were full of wonderful history and everyone was so peaceful walking through the park.

Just a short drive from Santa Fe and totally worth it!! I recommend you get there early, even if you're there on the off season when the busses stop because by the time we were leaving, the parking lot was full and the overflow lot was filling up as well. We only had time for the one main trail, but we were very impressed by the interpretive signage along the entire route. There were some tricky spots with stairs that were a little precarious for my 50 year old self, still recovering from a broken arm and afraid to fall. For the most part, though, it was an easy trek and I highly recommend it!

Very beautiful park. We did the main loop trail + alcove trail. It's an easy hike for the most part. But the end of the alcove trail is rather challenging. There is a sign warning of steep ladders and ... they are not kidding, they are almost vertical and very high. I have a slight fear of heights, I could only go on the first ladder, then turned around. My husband went all the way up and was very pleased. So you can still go on the trail and just opt to not climb up the last piece. It works for everyone.

Bandelier is a must see when in NM. The shuttle was an easy and quick ride to the park. Don't let that stop you. The park ranger explained the layout of the trail, where the shop, cafe, and bathrooms were, and couldn't have been sweeter. She wasn't joking though -be sure to take water and wear a hat. It got very hot on the trail. The ladders are fun to climb - they allow you to see the rooms where the Native Americans lived. The petroglyphs are fun to search for. You can also skip the ladders and some of the steep stairs if you need to, and still enjoy the trail. The 2nd half of the trail is shaded and flat. Overall, it's a gorgeous and historical place to visit. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

It's a great park. We learned some history, and it was fun to climb the ladders. There were some beautiful rock formations. We walked the main loop and visited clove house. It took us about 2 hours to complete this. We saw some beautiful cactus flowers, but we didn't see any animals.

This was an unexpected pleasure. The main trail is an easy hike and you get to see the cave dwellings and art. It was not crowded when we visited and if crowded could be a very different experience.

This is a wonderful national monument - wide paths to walk on, stairs all had handrails, benches for resting, good signage, opportunities for the agile to climb the ladders to see inside the cool "built-in caves), and a great way to learn about the living quarters of the Native American tribes. The trail is about 1.2 or 1.5 miles. There is also another trail to the Alcove house - .5 miles on flat ground, and then 4 ladders up to the top. Two of us just did the flat part and the two more agile and intrepid of us did the ladders. Ladders are definitely not for small children or those of us who are older with any mobility issues. The cafe has really good options, also, and the store has a good variety of memories to take home.

This is an amazing spot to visit. There are many trails that are well maintained and clearly marked.

My strategy in visiting a major attraction is always to visit during the shoulder season if possible. There will be far fewer people around, the price may be cheaper and the weather is usually still cooperative. In high season in summer you might be baking in a place like New Mexico, while in the late fall the weather is still warm enough to wear a light jacket in the morning and just a shirt by midday. Such was the case with a recent visit my wife and I made to Bandelier National Monument during the first week of November, 2019. We were in the middle of a two week road trip through the Land of Enchantment and had already visited a number of the state's top attractions including White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns.

While great natural attractions like these are never to be overlooked, ever since I first made a visit to Mesa Verde National Park longer ago than I care to admit, I have been fascinated with the Indigenous peoples who once inhabited much of the American Southwest. Many of these peoples lived in dwellings constructed either within caves or under the overhanging cliffs of mesas, a geomorphological feature common throughout certain parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah. We had already visited one such site, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument where a small village built right into the side of a cliff had existed for a short period of time in the late 13th century.

Bandelier is found just northwest of Santa Fe and is the final stage of Anasazi occupation that began in Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon around 500 A.D. and ended at Bandelier in about 1550. By the time the Spaniards got into this area in the mid 16th century the Anasazi were, for all intents and purposes, gone. It remains one of the great historical mysteries right up there with the abandonment of the Mayan cities. What happened to the Anasazi and where did they go?

That question has never been satisfactorily answered, but one thing is for sure - they didn't just disappear off the face of the earth. In all likelihood, due to climate change and probably deforestation or overuse of arable land, they migrated to new areas where they mixed with and were absorbed into existing local populations. Mitochondrial DNA studies may provide the best clues in the long run.

Bandelier National Monument is not that far from Santa Fe and can easily be visited on a day trip which is what we did, with the added bonus of driving back through Los Alamos, America's Atomic City. The entry fee is $25.00 per vehicle, but with our annual park pass entry was free. Now here's the deal about visiting during the shoulder season. From May 14 to October 14 you can only enter Bandelier on a shuttle bus that runs from White City every 30 minutes, unless you get there before 9:00 AM. This gives you an idea of just how crowded you might find the place during the summer season.

On the day we visited it was sunny, warm for November and the parking lot was only half full.

The starting point is the Visitor Center where you will be given a copy of the trail map and for $2.00 you can purchase a brochure identifying the numbered spots on the map and you're ready to start your exploration of Bandelier National Monument. The main circular trail is only 1.2 miles (2 kms.) and takes about an hour. Most visitors will want to continue another half mile each way to Alcove House which is, in my opinion, the star attraction at Bandelier, but it's not for the faint of heart as it involves climbing four very vertical wooden ladders up to a point 140 feet above the canyon floor.

The walk to and from the various highlights was a very pleasant stroll through a mixed forest of ponderosa and piñon pines with the deciduous trees in their fall colours. The circular trail passes along both sides of a small tributary of the Rio Grande, Rito de los Frijoles or in English, Bean Creek. The air is fresh and pine scented and if you bring your binoculars you are likely to spot Western Scrub Jays, Canyon Wrens and Towhees among many of the species that are found year round in Frijoles Canyon. Even without the ruins to explore, this would be a great short walk.

In terms of footwear, if you are going to climb the ladders then you need something that has a good grip, definitely not flip flops.

There are actually three types of dwellings to explore at Bandelier. The first is the actual village of Tyuonyi which is a huge pueblo that has 245 ground level rooms and probably had many more above these. The second are the rooms at the base of the cliff which are several stories typified by Long House. The third are those right inside the cliff face which are properly called 'cavates' meaning an excavated cave expanded from a natural hole in the cliff face. It is believed that all types of dwellings were used contemporaneously with the people living in the pueblo and long house in summer and retreating to the cavates in winter where it was substantially warmer than on the canyon floor.

The first stop is at the great kiva which is a ceremonial structure that would have had a roof when people still lived here. Kivas were the centre of religious and political life for all three of the major Indigenous groups that occupied the southwest and continue to be to this day in many of the pueblos in New Mexico and Arizona. The great kiva would have been sort of a combination of cathedral and town hall, while smaller kivas were for personal religious purposes.

Next the path leads right though the remains of Tyuonyi, but you cannot enter the rooms. The structure is made from volcanic tuff, a type of ejecta that is quite soft and easily eroded or damaged by human traffic. I wouldn't be surprised if in the future they put a protective roof over the entire structure.

Looking at the cliffs from Tyuonyi you can see that they are naturally pitted with hundreds of small holes that the Pueblo people would use to create the cavates that became their winter homes.

The trail now turns sharply to the right and ascends to the base of the canyon cliffs. The higher you go the better the views of Tyuonyi pueblo below.

Man made objects are not the only things to see at Bandelier, there are many interesting natural rock formations like hoodoos.

Just after these formations you come to the first ladder that leads up to a cavate. It's pretty tame compared to what is to come and there's not much to see inside. Next come more ladders and the good news is that you don't need to wait in line for any appreciable time to climb them like you would in summer.

By now you have a great view of Tyuonyi  well below and can get an appreciation of just how big it is. You don't have to travel to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Mexico or Peru to see the remains of once great civilizations. There's one just below.

Although most of the cavates have circular entrances a few have rectangular entrances that have been augmented by tuff stone bricks and mortar. Both these and the more traditional openings would have had coverings that shielded them from the open elements.

Now the trail comes to the first of the homes that were constructed at the base of the cliff with the cavates just above. If we had had time we definitely would have taken the Frey Trail which starts just before this spot and makes its way via a series of switchbacks up to the top of the cliff.

Bandelier National Monument also some some interesting pictographs of which the one I have included a photo of is the most famous, being part of the back wall of a second story house. For some reason it was covered in plaster and only discovered by accident.

From here the trail makes its way back down to Bean Creek and crosses it for the return to the Visitor Center or you can decide to go in the opposite direction the half mile to Alcove House. We chose the latter.

A photo I've included shows the view from the canyon floor looking up to Alcove House. You can see two of the four ladders on the left and from here it doesn't look too bad. But once you get to the bottom of the ladders they are much steeper then they look from afar.

It's not just the ladders, but the very narrow walkways cut into the side of the cliff that can be potentially scary. There is no way two people can pass each other on one of these. Yet another reason for being here without the crowds.

However, all the climbing is more than worth it when you get to the top. There is a great view of Frijoles Canyon from Alcove House. Inside Alcove House is a large kiva which must have been the premiere spot for celebrations and ceremonies in Bandelier. Up to 25 people lived inside Alcove House and I'll never complain about carrying groceries down to the house ever again.

Finally, you will want to get your picture taken here to prove that you climbed to one of the highest aeries in the southwest. Visiting Bandelier National Monument was one of the highlights of our New Mexico journey and we highly recommend you visit in early November.

We were so glad that we visited these ruins! These ruins were different, compared to so many others, due to the fact that there were so many “caves” in the cliff side that had been used by the inhabitants for living and storage. It was cool to be able to actually climb up into some of them. Within an hour’s visit, one can enjoy a great close-up sampling of the dwellings. And….it is only one hour from Santa Fe!

Most of the hike was level until you get to the cliff dwellings. Nearly all of it was paved, so the trail was super easy, you could easilydo this with sneakers instead of hiking boots. I'm just in so-so shape, but even with the high altitude I didn't have any problems, I just set my own pace. We loved going up the ladders! It was a little crowded, but we went on a long weekend, so that's what we get. We did the longer hike and it only took 2 hours total. The visitors' center had laminated loaner guides. Their restrooms were clean. There was also a cute gift shop.

We drove up from Santa Fe to the Bandelier visitor center at White Rock. No vehicles were allowed to enter the Park road leading to the visitor center at Bandelier National Monument between 9am and 3pm, due to limited parking spaces. There was an overflow parking area at the park amphitheater, where the shuttle bus stoped to pick up visitors to the park visitor center. If you missed the bus then you wait 30 minutes for the next bus but if you wanted to drive your car you could do it after 3pm.

We did the loop trail, which started out as a concrete paved trail, mixed in with rocks, to give stability when ice forms on the pathway. The trail rose in elevation, but was supposedly wheel chair accessible until giving way to steep stairs with iron hand railings. On one side of the canyon, steep cliffs, with thousands of holes in the rock walls. Ten foot ladders led to dwellings inside. You had to watch your head, as the ceilings were only about 5 feet in height, and full of sandy surfaces. The caves were spacious and cool. There were still signs of pictographs on some, and the mark of smoke left behind where cooking had taken place for thousands of years, was still visible.

After finishing the main loop, we walked 20 minutes through the forests, along the Frijoles Canyon, crossing streams, until we came to Alcove house. This was the big house, where you had to climb 4 successive wooden ladders, first ladder about 16 feet long, 2nd and 3rd ladders each about 24 feet long, and 4th ladder about 7 feet long. Not as easy as it looked, as you were at 6,000 feet elevation, and it was windy, especially in the afternoon.

Overall, Bandelier was an amazing experience!

Exceptional national park that is well kept
Despite heavy volume of people. Well marked paths , exciting vistas, many comfort stations snd overlooks Bring your own good as the cafe us not always open snd town us 30 minutes back. Check the weather ahead snd prepare for it.

We had a great time at this national monument. Pulling an RV we were not sure where to park at White Rock visitor center. Ended up parking at the lot that had electric outlets beside the visitor center. Shuttle service was quick and easy to use. Thoroughly enjoyed the hikes around the dwellings.

Of course the day that we had planned to go here the forecast was for rain, but if not now ... when. So off we went with a poncho and an umbrella and it was so worth it as the rain let up and was almost non-existent for the 2 hours we hiked. There was hardly anyone else out and so you were able to feel the spiritually of the site where a first nation tribe once lived. The laminated guides they provided were so helpful. Hope to return again to further explore all it has to offer.

We did this as an afternoon excursion from Santa Fe. It takes about 40 min to the visitor center, and then the shuttle bus, which is runs every 30 min, takes 25 min to get to the Visitor Center.

We did the main loop and a brief side hike. Beautiful views, loved taking the ladders to the cliff dwellings and smelling the pine trees. Highly recommended!

We were in Albuquerque for the international balloon festival and looking for a few things to do on an off afternoon. Looking at the map I found this park and we visited here as well as some places in Los Alamos. I felt like it was worth the drive to do these things together. The admission charge was a bit steep for the amount of time we spent there, but we know that these areas are worth preserving, so didn’t really mind paying it. We did not eat there, but we took a nice hike and went up into one of the possible dwellings. That was the main draw to me. We could’ve spent more time if we did not get tired as we’re not in the best shape, but we did fine for a shorter trail.

Here is the shuttle bus schedule that is posted at the White Rock visitor center shuttle stop. We found the buses to run about on time. The website said 20 minute schedule on Friday’s, but we were there on a Friday and they did the 30 min schedule. The shuttle stations are well-shaded/covered. The buses are a typical city bus and it seemed like each new crop of visitors was able to fit on the bus every time.

There is a kiosk at the White Rock visitor center shuttle stop that says “you must buy your park pass here before boarding bus” but the Visitor Center folks said we could buy our pass once we got off the bus at Bandelier. That is what we did and it worked just fine!

Experience the entire monument including the walk to Alcove House. Be prepared to crawl up several ladders. Worth the effort.

Ample parking and well established trails leading you to the cliff dwelling. We had never seen one and were absolutely amazed with how this must have been constructed. Park rangers were in different spots to answer questions and talk about the site. I chickened out of using the wooden ladder, but my husband was up and down several times. You had the option of steps in another spot which made it easy for me to have access. The views from inside the cliff dwelling of the surrounding area was awesome....lot of pictures for sure. Bring water, comfortable shoes and know your hiking/climbing abilities.

At Bandelier National Monument's Park’s 33,000 acres there are 1,000’s of well-preserved ancestral pueblo ruins to be seen on 70+ miles of hiking trails. The Main Loop trail is basic but the Alcove House trail is exciting because it involves effort to view breathtaking vistas, more effort to climb perilous wooden ladders to see cave dwellings and still, even more effort to climb down from there. Its worth it. The views are exceptional and well worth the effort. Get the map of the trails from Frijoles Canyon's visitor center and be more informed with the explanations along the route.

Cannot speak for the shuttle process now in place, as we visited the day before it became mandatory. Read the website closely to avoid any surprises on arrival. Not sure if it’s mentioned on the website but no dogs are allowed on the main trails.

Main loop trail is pretty easy with a few steps here and there. Very interesting site, even if some of it was closed due to vandalism. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

What an amazing time!! The hike is easy, with most of it more like a sidewalk than a trail. Make the trip, you will not be disappointed. Staff here are top shelf and extremely helpful.

The Tsankawi Ruins Trail is a short hike, no more than about 2 miles, but a fun one with beautiful views, small caves where the Ancient Ones lived, and petroglyphs to see. Look up the hike on the Bandelier National Monument website as it has directions to the site and an informative trail guide. This is a fee area with a place to pay but no one was there at the time (we went early in the morning and only saw 2 other couples on the trail. More people showed up as we were leaving). We had our senior passes so just placed our senior auto pass on the car dashboard There actually aren't any ruins as what you would see at Mesa Verde National Park, Still, you can see where the Ancient Pueblo people lived and let your imagination go from there. There are several ladders to climb and the trail is narrow in spots, but my wife and I, at 69 and 73 years old respectively, didn't have trouble covering the route. Still, pay attention when climbing and walking. It's in the open with no shade so be aware of the weather.

Impressive!
Easy and paved hikes.
Alcove is pretty intense bc of the steep ladders! Im not afraid of heights but this gave me chills!
Amazing historical site and amazing story behind!

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL AT NATIONAL PARKS!!! At least pretend you have some education and do not vandalize!!!!

This is a pretty park with an abandoned pueblo (they say it's not abandoned, the people moved but nonetheless, it is empty). Follow a trail through this area and there are ladders to climb to peak into the caves they made. Bring your patience, as the trail is narrow & people take their time on the ladders.

We loved Bandelier! Don't be put off by the mandatory shuttle ( 9am-3 pm during prime season); it's actually an easy way to navigate the last 7 miles into the canyon, and runs frequently. Because the shuttle inherently limits visitation, the monument does not get over-crowded like many other monuments and parks. We spent about 2 hours doing the basic pueblo loop.

You can pay a couple of dollars for a trail guide, or scan a QR code for free to bring up the guide on your phone -- highly recommend doing one or the other so you can fully enjoy the site.

We climbed the ladders into 2 of the caves; another was closed due to vandalism (sadly), and we did not have the time or interest to climb the 140-foot-tall ladder on a different trail. But you'll get a great sense of the Ancestral Pueblo experience on the main trail. In October, the weather was cool, clear and breezy -- perfect for experiencing this site.

We enjoyed our hike around the National Monument. We were a little disappointed that the Visitor Center was not open...due to COVID-19, but the gift shop was open and we enjoyed that. The ruins are incredible and a must see!

We were only at this beautiful national monument for a short while, but the cafe was phenomenal on the way out! The Doug burger truly may be the best burger in New Mexico and the owner is enthusiastic and welcoming. This cafe should be a National Monument of its own!

It took us an hour’s drive from Santa Fe get there. We paid $25 for a private vehicle to access the park. It wasn’t that crowded when we came (it was a Monday). My teens were interested and had fun learning the way of life of the Pueblo Indians. They loved climbing up the ladders to check on the ancient cliff dwellings. The hike was not that bad. There were a lot of younger kids and even old people along the way.

Bandelier National Monument is about an hour's drive North of Santa Fe. It is worth getting up early to arrive at the parking lot nearest Loop Trail. During our visit, one of the parking lots was closed, and if the Loop Trail lot is full, you will need to take a bus to get to the welcome center location. The 1.5-mile hike around Loop Trail is interesting and fun. The trail starts level and climbs to the cliff walls, the desends through a green area with a stream before circling back to the parking lot. The trail is not overly difficult for someone in fair condition. You will climb many steps, winding on a paved trail partway to reach the most interesting cliffs. Climbing the sturdy ladders to enter the cliff dwelling is safe and worth the view. There are many additional trails to explore. At the welcome center, there are restrooms, a gift shop, and rangers manning the center. It is worthwhile to try to get on to one of the ranger tours.

We had an amazing experience in the Park. Plan for a number hours so you can enjoy the full glory of the Park. The climb to upper Keva was brilliant. Well worth the experience. We did an extra hike down to the Rio Grande - another great walk.

This is so fascinating. We enjoyed learning the history and seeing the diverse landscape. Nice paved walk through the sites with optional climbs for the more adventurous. Very interesting.

I didn't expect how large, well laid out and well done this place is. It is a bit of a ride to get in and out. The visitor center was well staffed, and had interesting exhibits. We fully enjoyed the picnic area in front with the tall trees surrounding the tables. We take a trail out, but being a hot day, we didn't go up to the cliff dwellings. There was plenty to see otherwise. The store is a separate building, and provided welcome air conditioning after a very hot walk. Definitely bring water. Luckily part of the trail is shaded. Well paved paths too. Very enjoyable!

Breathtaking scenery. There is an easy trail for those who don’t want to actually hike. Some narrow stairs heading up to the cave dwellings.

A very nice monument, but maybe a bit overrated. We hiked the Main Loop trail and the Alcove House trail (about a mile each...very nice trails), and climbed the ladders to Alcove House. I would definitely recommend this place if you're in the area. Nice museum in the visitors center, but skip the film.

Easy trail, unless you wantto climb up into one of the homes in the mountain. Very worth it! Great history and senery.

Lots of caves and gives a good idea on how people used to live in those caves. access to the caves is through ladders only.

This was something very different than other National Parks. The cliff dwellings are really cool to see. The crowds tend to bottleneck at the stairs because everyone wants their picture taken going into or coming out of one of the dwellings on the top of the ladder. Avoid this as you'll waste a lot of time, and it really wasn't worth it to us. We went on the trail to the campground but didn't go all the way. We just wanted to see the view at the top of the mountain, which was awesome!

The displays in the visitor center were very helpful. I recommend purchasing the $2 trail guide, to help you understand what you are seeing. The placards along the trail were very good, too. We had a hot afternoon but were able to complete the Main Loop Trail and some of us were able to climb up to see some of the cliff dwellings. We were glad that we had good walking shoes on and took plenty of water.

Incredible experience to get so close to the pueblo ruins, mountains and access into the ancient ones caves/homes. Bit of a drive from Santa Fe or Albuquerque but worth the effort. We got lucky with parking at the visitor center but there was an overflow lot not far away. Supposedly parking is much harder in the summer months and there is a shuttle from another city to Bandelier, read the official park news before you go.

There was a movie playing at the center and we did spot a cafe selling food (hamburgers were fresh and hot). We brought lunch and had a nice picnic in the area with tables by the parking lot. The hike to the Pueblo Loop was enjoyable, sun and some shade. There are areas where you are close to the mountains and go up some stairs. Can climb a wooden ladder into a cave. This is a loop and then returns to the visitor center or you can go further to the Alcove House.

The Alcove House goes to a cliff dwelling cave (no remains in the top area). You will have to climb up 4 wooden ladders which are anchored into the mountain with steel cables. 140 feet up is the final distance. I was a bit scared after the first ladder but went all the way up. Going down was a bit harder, but I went slowly and held on closely to each rung. Glad I did it.

Bandelier is nice since you can get close to the historical artifacts. You can spot petroglyphs/wall carvings as well.

The 2-mile trail to the cliff dwellings is well marked & I was able to climb the steps & ladders to see the cliff dwellings which were pretty neat. However, my wife who recently had a full knee replacement could not do the steps & ladders. This is a great place, but if you have physical issues that prevent you from climbing many rock steps & ladders, I suggest not doing the trail.

Gaya & Sunil’s travels
The following describes our trip from Sunday, Nov 22 through Friday Nov 27, 2020. This is an excerpt from our trip.
On Wednesday, we decided to take a short day trip. We went north on I25, and then took 4, a two lane NM highway that eventually takes you to Los Alamos. We stopped at Soda Dam. This is a somewhat cute natural dam made of rock through which a stream or river flows through. There was no trail head so we just walked around a little and took some pictures.
After visiting BattleShip Rock and hiking we got back on 4 and continued to Bandelier National Monument (BNM). The road to BNM from 4 is a twisty curvy one and eventually you go down to BNM. The parking lot was full, but we found a spot to park. There was no one to take the $25 fee, and there was a sign that said we could use the trails. We took the Main Loop, which is a short trail that takes you to the homes in the caves used by the Anasazi (in the period 1150 - 1550). BNM was a true surprise as I’d not expected the homes to be so interesting, and even beautiful. The area itself is quite fascinating, well worth a vist.This hike was a short 1.79 miles and 397 feet elevation.

Neat short hiking experience at top entry of Bandelier. If you use the shuttle descend at the first stop. This location houses the Juniper Campground as well as two mesa trailheads. If you have the time, you can hike both. One is a loop overlook hike; the other the mesa to Canyon route. Apparently this was the pre-road entry. If it's warm, watch out for rattlers on or nearby the trail. I came within inches of one right near the drinking fountain at the very start of the hike. The first mile of the hike is relatively level with nice open views. Wear a cap. There's some shade but not a whole lot. Eventually you will get gaped mouth views of the canyon and ruins. You can even see the trails on the opposite side of the valley. Switch down to the ruins for the last half of the hike. If you haven't been here before, you might want to turn left to ladder into a couple of cave windows. Then head down to the canyon village ruins. Then turn up the canyon and continue past the housing sites into the thickets and around to Alcove House. You should find a ranger there monitoring those climbing the multi ladder placements to the former upper level kiva. Climb if you have the energy, but know that the kiva is no longer open to ordinarily citizens. There are other areas of the monument to explore. Do so if you have the time. But if you don't enter the monument via the Frey Trail but, rather, drive into the main visitor area, you might as well be visiting some city downtown.

I was really looking forward to visiting this park and it did not disappoint! We took the main loop trail which led us on a path to cave dwellings where you could take ladders into some of them and take a look inside. Along the trail you could also see some Pueblo ruins, petroglyphs carved into the stone, and remnants of paint and stucco on some of the walls, it was beautiful. We joined the Alcove house trail from the main loop and took ladders and stairs 140 feet up to an alcove with some ruins and intact Kiva which was a lot of fun. I was worried that the Alcove ladders were closed because the website said they were but a ranger informed me that they were open. I had expected to spend more time there but the trail was pretty short and I feel people of all ages could do this. The store, cafe, and bathrooms were open but the visitor center was not. After we finished the main trail we left and hiked the Tsankawi trail which is still part of the park but located a few miles away towards White Rock. I definitely recommend taking this hike, you see more cave dwellings, an unexcavated Pueblo with pottery shards everywhere, plus you walk through ancient foot paths worn into the stone, all very cool!

Awesome place. We loved our hike to Alcove House. Climbing the ladders was fun. Easy hiking for children & adults alike.

Once you get on the trail and get to the caves, it's pretty cool, but this National Monument is one of the poorest managed we have visited. The trails are poorly marked and described and they need railings in many places. The staff was not especially friendly or helpful or upbeat, and seemed annoyed that they had to answer the same questions from many people. Some of the ladders are tricky, others not. Younger people will have no trouble but otherwise agile older folks might, particularly if knee issues. A fair amount of climbing and the altitude is noticeable. It's still a great place to visit, but stop first at the visitor center and get good directions. If you have time, do drive about 15 miles west to see the caldera from the ancient huge volcano eruption. Los Alamos is nearby but, despite the movie, there really isn't that much to see. There is another area away from the main area where you can climb up boulders (not difficult) using toeholds created by the ancients. This was very special when I did it years ago. I can't recall the name and don't know if you can still do this but worth checking.

Really enjoyed our visit. Started with Ranger led talk and short hike which was very informative. Then climbed up to take a better look at the cliff dwellings of the Pueblos. Very interesting. Ate at the café which had really good and healthy food.

Beautiful national park /monument. Thankful historical areas like this are preserved. A good view into how the Pueblo lived. The main loop trail is very easy. Falls trail was a nice hike; waterfalls are hit or miss depending on the time of year. Enjoyable experience. Stop in Los Alamos also if you’re heading to bandalier. Manhattan Project Historical site is very small and educational and Oppenheimer self guided walk worth doing.

Was a great place to visit. We did the Pueblo Loop Trail which was mostly paved or cement. There were plenty of steps but most had rails so wasn't too bad. Two places had ladders so you could look in or go into the caves. Definitely worth the time to walk around. Had a visitor center to pick up maps and more details with a Ranger. Open Dawn to Dusk.

What an opportunity to get up close and personal. I would not recommend for young children. Ten years and above; especially Scouts and Home Schoolers will love it. Yor can actually climb into the dwellings.

Fun place to visit, has very nice visitor center, picnic area and several trails to hike. The hike to the monument is not bad, although the stairs/steps to look into monument can be a challenge if not used to it or if you have bad knees. There is however a trail that you can stay on to avoid the steps.

The turnoff to the campground is on the park road that leads down into the canyon, just after the turnoff from NM4. Juniper Campground is located at an altitude of 2,030 meters in a forest area above Frijole Canyon and consists of three loops. Each site is equipped with a bear-proof container. You have to register yourself at a machine, but that works quite well. It is a very beautiful place, but a bit windy. There are plenty of taps for fresh water.
From here you can, for example, take the Tyuonyi Overlook Walk to the edge; the view falls on the Cliff Dwellings in the Frijoles Canyon. If you have time, go down the Pueblo Loop Trail.
Down in the canyon, a very well-developed hiking trail leads past numerous sights. The residents of the time built small houses from tuff blocks and over 300 cave rooms in the soft cliffs. Worth seeing are, for example, the Tyuoyi Pueblo and various cliff dwellings, which can be explored via wooden ladders. A worthwhile trip!
----
The turnoff to the campground is on the park road leading down into the canyon, just after the turnoff from NM4. The Juniper Campground is located at an elevation of 2,030 meters in a forested area above Frijole Canyon and consists of three loops. Each site is equipped with a bear-proof container. You have to register yourself at a machine, but it works quite well. It's a very nice place, but a bit windy. There are enough taps for fresh water. From here you can, for example, take the Tyuonyi Overlook Walk to the edge; The view falls on the Cliff Dwellings in the Frijoles Gorge. If you have time, head down the Pueblo Loop Trail. At the bottom of the gorge, a very well-developed hiking trail leads past numerous sights. The inhabitants of the time built small houses made of tuff blocks and over 300 cave rooms in the soft cliffs. Worth seeing are, for example, the Tyuoyi Pueblo and various cliff dwellings, which can be explored via wooden ladders. A worthwhile trip!

It is impressive to be able to see the ancient "pueblo" houses excavated in the walls of volcanic ash. Don't miss the Alcove house, it is worthy to climb the 140 feet of ladders to be there.

I was not expecting it to be so very busy on a weekday in late October, this place must be jumping in summer.
They were doing some renovating so things are a bit off kilter, but it didn't effect us much, other than noise.
Film was very informative, as were the displays.
We had a gorgeous day to walk the trails & enjoyed the climb up to see the caves.
Of course we got our passport stamp & our tchotchkes at the gift shop.
Great day

We took the short hike to some of the sites. We took about two hours to see them. If you want to take the upper trail or hike to the outlying ruin, give yourself more time. The parking lot does fill up, as others have said. The gift shop is nice. My only complaint is that they need to invest in some new stamps for the passport program. The ones they have are worn out.

We are a family (three teens) who decided to come for a short visit. The drive there is beautiful, and the staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We did the short trail (a bit more than a mile), a very easy few steps, and you can visit a few caves (climb a short ladder). It was a bit icy, but the ranger did everything possible to prepare the trail.
Worth a visit.

What an amazing park! We came straight from Puye Cliff Dwellings, and I highly recommend doing the same. At Puye, you get a tour with a guide who explains the cliff dwellings in detail. At Bandelier, definitely buy the trail guide, then it supplements what you learned at Puye. We ate at the restaurant here, Sicheny, and it was fantastic! The homemade lassi is both delicious and protein packed, and the yak burgers were the best we’ve ever had. You could spend days hiking here, and I would come back to hike more. We hiked the main trail from the visitor center, then onto the Alcove house as well. My daughter and I climbed to the house while my husband stayed below. Definitely do not attempt to climb up if you have fear of heights, coming down is much more difficult than going up. The views are amazing, whether you go up or not. We had wanted to do the (shorter) Lower Falls Trail, but it was closed and only the (longer) Upper Falls Trail was open. This was busier than we’ve found in March at other National Parks but we still found parking with minimal waits in the restrooms. No shade on the main trail, lots of shade on trail to alcove house.

A perfect stop on the way to Los Alamos (or a destination in itself). We were there in late February, and there were not many people. Very nicely maintained with some excellent kiva ruins, and some secure ladders to climb. Highly recommend. We noticed a few backpackers getting ready to hike into the back-country and camp for the night. The main loop trail is an easy 1.2 mile loop. A more challenging climb is at Alcove House, which has a 140' ascent.

Went at 630am before the Visitor Center opened. There's a machine to buy a pass that you can put on your dashboard since nobody is there. Bathrooms at the visitor center were opened (cleaning staff was there and helpful directing me to the path). Going in the morning was perfect because there were no crowds and it wasn't too hot. Also to get to places along the trail you have to climb ladders and I can imagine that being a traffic jam spot. To get to the Alcove House you'll see a sign with a warning about not going if you have a fear of heights but it was worth the extra 1 mile (.5 each way) and climb. I'm a pretty decent hiker but was taking pictures and videos so the whole 2.6-ish mile trail took about 1.5 hours

The hiking and history at Bandelier and the facilities within the park are great. There is a ~1.5 mile paved trail that is self-guided through the cliff dwellings and along the creek area through tall cottonwoods and ponderosa pine. It is beautiful and amazing to see the cliff dwellings so close. The hiking is easy - mostly paved trails - with some stairs to climb. If you are ambitious, you can also climb some optional wooden ladders to see into the dwellings.

The park facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's and are themselves an excellent peice of history and craftsmanship.

The reason for the 3 star review is the logistics. If you do not arrive before 9:00AM, you need to park ~30 minutes away at the visitor center and take a shuttle bus into the park. The buses arrive about every 20 minutes, and can be very crowded on nice days with the possibility to wait in lines for the next bus. I recommend getting there early - or plan on adding a few hours to your visit for the logistics alone - especially if you have little kids with you.

My second trip to Bandelier and I loved it just as much as the first time. Wonderful to see how the inhabitants lived.
I brought some friends with me this time. Worth the visit

Wow! This is such a cool place. Amazing to be able to go In to the living quarters (homes). Amazing they lived in the side of the cliffs. Nice clean park. Has some good trails as well. The little cafe made a super salad! Great place for kids or adults.

Fascinating site with troglodytic dwellings reminiscent of Cappadocia in Turkey. Fascinating to see the different methods of access to the caves.

The monument is a convenient one hour drive from Santa Fe. It was much larger than I expected for a National monument… much more like a national park.

The views overlooking the canyon on the way to the center were spectacular.

The visitors center had an excellent museum describing the buildings, structures and geology of the area. The trail next to the center was wide and well maintained.

There were a few structures that were easy to see. First was a small community house, with the “cliff” dwellings above it. The path up to the dwellings was narrow and steep, but well maintained with stairs.

A few of the cliff dwellings had 5-10’ ladders that allowed access to the dwellings themselves. I got out of breath a couple of times, other that that it was easy and fun. The loop back to the visitor center went along the opposite side of the canyon on a “flat” trail that terminated in the overflow parking.

I’d recommend arriving early, as, by the time we left the overflow parking was full. I imagine the trail was also cramped.

It really does not matter where you parked… we had a long walk to the visitor center… but immediately arrived at our car at the end of the trail.

My daughter and I only did one trail and spent about 90 mins on it… mainly because we spent so much time at the dwellings.

What a fabulous place to visit. The other reviews about this place are true about the history and the preservation of the dwellings, petroglyphs and caves. There is a beautiful woodland walk - note bring a poncho just in case it rains because if it does its a downpour. Suggestion only, wear a pair of sturdy shoes. We went back 3 times using our weekly pass for only $25. This does not distract from the experience here. Excellent value for money and the staff very helpful thank you. I would love to camp out next time to experience the wildlife a little more. Suggestion only - It does get quite busy so arrive early or late in the day.

We came here for our 30th anniversary. It was amazing to see the ancestral Pueblo ruins. We had just been to Mesa Verde, so it was interesting to see the differences and similarities. We hiked to see the Alcove house along with the main trail. The weather was perfect. Mid-60s. We also hiked down to see the waterfall. The beginning of the trail has a place where you can fill your water bottle. It was definitely worth the hike. Followed a little river for most of the trail. Absolutely breathtaking! From the waterfall, the trail down to the Rio Grande was blocked due to water damage. However, we could still see it in the valley.

Bandelier National Monument provides an amazing backdrop for a day of hiking. Starting with the Main Loop Trail the hike starts on the park floor and eventually you wind your way up to the area where the Cliff Dwellings are. Wooden ladders allow you to climb up and into the structures. Amazing to see such history.

Bandelier National Monument is a 33,677 acre United States National Monument near Los Alamos in Sandoval and Los Alamos counties, New Mexico. The monument preserves the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloans of a later era in the Southwest. Most of the pueblo structures date to two eras, dating between 1150 and 1600 AD.

Great way to spend the day.

The cliffs are so very interesting by themselves. But the ruins hidden amongst them are what makes this place so special. It is all about taking the hike out to the ruins and climbing up into them to get a full appreciation of what is there.

Went to Bandelier on July 5th. We arrived at White Rock center to take the shuttle, which has very clean bathrooms and helpful folks answering questions about several options to visit in the area. Took the shuttle about 9:45AM, which takes about 25 minutes to get to the Bandelier location. If you want to drive there yourself, you have to arrive before 9AM. The road is very windy and narrow, so the shuttle is a good idea. Where a mask if you have concerns sitting around other people. We took the main loop and visited the Alcove House. The entire trail was interesting. You can rush through or take your time. We spent at least 1 1/2 hours, closer to 2 hours. The Alcove House is open. But the trek to the top is not easy. I would NOT recommend taking kids less than 8-9. The step ladders are open rung and the tallest is about 25 feet up. Up is not as bad as DOWN. You need to have VERY mature kids to take up there since they have 4 sets of tall 20-25 foot each, open ladders. Only 25 people are allowed in the actual space at a time. The views are incredible - but don't go if you are a novice hiker or have any fear of heights. If you want to google, in March 2022, there was a woman that fell to her death. So be selective it you want to do this very interesting climb. The Bandelier area is very interesting and a fun hike. There are parts that are full sun, and towards the Alcove house is full shade along a brook. The hike is quite easy and flat for the most part and there are a few smaller, easy to access viga homes in the mountain wall to check out along the way. Pricing is $25 for a carload of people, compared to Puye, a much better price point.

A little chilly in the shade, but nice in the sun. Some snow/ice patches on the ground where we needed to be more careful, but otherwise it was nice that it wasn't too busy on the weekend.
Cute little gift shop with lots of fun items for sale. Cafe was closed for the season.

Came to Bandelier not knowing quite what to expect Found it to be the best example of Native cliff dwellings we have come across. Allow yourself a few hours to hike the main loop and alcove house trails. Arrive early since everything is in the same area and parking fills quickly.

The atmosphere was amazing the tall mountains really painted the picture of a great time with family and friends. The cave dwellings we went into were amazing nice and cool away from the sun. Sadly, the Acomo house wasn’t open, but we did have a great picnic and I would go again.

Bandelier is in a spectacular location just west of Los Alamos. The canyon and terrain remind me somewhat of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon There are also spectacular views on the road north of the turn off from Los Alamos. We were not able to see all of the ruins because we were rained out, but what we did see was very interesting. If time had allowed, we would have come back.

The cave dwellings, pictographs and petro-glyphs are beautiful here. The access to climb up into some of the caves gave all of us a (more) realistic perspective of life here many years ago.

I really wanted to climb the ladders to see the cliff dwellings..and we did! My husband worried about my knee, being replaced 6 months prior but we did just fine, for those of you wondering about the terrain..It was a hike..going uphill..with a little snow and ice leftover but it was well worth it

Went here for a short hike looking at all the cliff dwellings. Hard to think of people living in such small areas, but sone are very impressive. Visitor center has a plethora of information as well as a site by site guide that is numbered that will describe each artifact as you walk. Very well organized. The visitor center below will tell you parking is full and not to go all the way up, but there’s a secret. Behind the main parking lot in the park visitor center is a smaller road that has additional parking along main pathway. These were seldom used and still available when we were told it was full. Just a hint. Be sure to get a national park pass first 20 bucks for seniors per year. It will get you in for free. Enjoy the artwork and artifacts.

We have visited Bandelier twice in the past and still found the location beautiful and inspiring. The hiking trails are well maintained and if you like birding, there are plenty of species to spot here. The cliff dwellings always amaze me. The staff at the information center were helpful in recommending trails for us. A lovely place to visit and reflect on the past and future.

The setting is stunning, the archaeology extraordinary, the trail layout well conceived and the amount of information just right. This is a fabulous place, not to be missed on a trip to the region. Probably best to visit 'out of season' to avoid crowds (though the cafe is closed).

This was my 2nd visit to BNM. First was in late fall, this time in summer. Cooler temps definitely make it more pleasant, but regardless, it is a great experience. Interesting and beautiful.

This is a vast expanse of pueblo ruins, cliff dwellings, and petroglyphs in a picturesque setting. If you follow the ascending trail, you can climb a wooden ladder and enter one of the cliff dwellings.

We LOVED Bandelier National Monument & Cliff Dwellings! Such a cool place! Amazing views of this “biologically dynamic” area, as they call it... lush, snow-capped mountains, canyons, desert mesas, streams & giant pines, & home to wide array of wildlife. I can see why ancient Native Americans made it their home! This is a moderate, but fun hike, 1.4 miles round trip through the cliff dwellings, then back through the forest. The cliff dwellings are so interesting, & a fun activity for children! My toddler felt like it was nature’s playground, as you can actually climb into some of the old caves & explore! The views are amazing! The history is amazing! We think this park deserves more hype! It’s underrated, & we absolutely LOVED it!

We enjoyed hiking and seeing the cliff dwellings, and beautiful scenery and wildflowers at the Bandelier National Monument. The museum was also interesting. However, we found the cafe there to be exceptional. All of their dishes are fresh, made to order (even the french fries were "homemade." My friend got their vegan burger, and said that it was one of the best she'd ever had. We 'indulged' and got the fried ice cream for dessert, and it was outstanding. The chef and staff there were extremely nice.

This was not on my radar, but a friend recommended it after visiting with his family. It's a bit of a drive to get here from Los Alamos, but the turn-off is well marked. You drive to the base of a canyon and look at the amazing tuff formations (volcanic ash that has solidified) and housing carved into the rocks alone a smooth hiking path. At points there are ladders if you choose to climb into the rooms and look around, but there isn't a lot there. A part of the trail (more an extension) is dirt only, but the rest is concrete. It' just a very enjoyable and not too strenuous nature hike.
There are also more advanced trails you can do if you wish. I didn't get the warmest reception from the ranger who got cranky when I showed him my park pass. He snapped at me to display it in my car, and that he was about to write tickets to all who didn't have it displayed! So, make sure you show your pass/ticket clearly in the car.

Unfortunately thanks to our poor sighted Congress and the government shut down, Bandalier National Park is closed. The entrance is still manned by unpaid park rangers but they will not let you in until the government shut down is finished. Boo!!!!

The drive getting to the monument was beautiful and well-paved. After a brief stop at the visitor's center we headed for the Main Loop. Note: We highly recommend spending $2 at the visitor's center for the guide for this trail.

The Main Look is concrete and an easy walk. You get to climb up several ladders to peek inside to get a better idea of what was inside.

Loved everything about this walk...the sights, the information, the wildlife. We highly recommend a visit!

Bandelier National Monument is a great short hike, climbing adventure and history lesson all in one. Not too difficult but very scenic. You can climb a ladder to enter the “ homes” in the mountains.

You will need to take the shuttle bus if arriving after 9 AM. There is a 1.4 mile loop trail with excellent access to the ruins. You can climb the ladder to the cliff dwellings but be careful when wet. They have a nice gift shop and cafe. Go early to get to see more.

We visited Bandelier, our first but not last visit, in late March with friends. The weather was spotty on and off but finished with a dazzling blue sky.

The visitor center staff were knowledgeable and excellent and we had several discussions regarding the archaelogy and geology of the area.

We walked along the river bottom trail and climbed up to several of the dwellings, including Alcove House. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon away from Santa Fe. It's only an hour drive...or less.

Easy trails. Birds to river.
Cafe was okay and burger was perfect. 100 minimum characters.
100 minimum characters.
100

Begin at the Visitor Center, watch the film, and look at the exhibits before embarking on the trail. Easy hike to see the ancient dwellings and pictures in the stone. Pleasant even on a cold winter day.

Fascinating experience and learned a ton. Very well laid out, easy to 'hike' through. Wasn't too crowded, except at end, there was a 30 minute wait to climb the stairs at the Alcove House. The petroglyphs were a highlight, but the whole area was GREAT. Was told to DON'T Miss, we are glad we went.

What a delightful find in the middle of beautiful Bandalier Canyon! Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies are a must. And the hamburgers. Go with a group and try all of them! They are freshly made and the caramelized onions make them exceptional. The Doug – what an amazing concept to have the chile relleno in your burger. The New Mexico True – it’s the classic and just amazing with the right amount of meltiness in the cheese with the green chile. The Bollywood – so good we tried to replicate it at home with tamarind chutney. A great place also to stop for some snacks beyond gorp on the way in – a cosmopolitan surprise in the middle of New Mexico.

As for the rest of the park, Bandalier is an easy place to spend an afternoon or a few days. There is lots to explore and the trails are well marked and explained. Passage in some areas can be narrow so be patient if it is crowded.

I found it really interesting to visit the cliff dwellings. The main loop hike is easy, and the ladders are not difficult to climb. I did not do the Adobe Dwelling climb,
As it looked steep, but my teenage son did it easily, and recommends it for those in good shape. I purchased the $3 guide and was glad that I did, as it gave a better understanding of what we were seeing.

Excellent testimony from the natives, which I recommend starting with the exhibition inside the visitor center. The main loop trail already offers a significant glimpse; for those who don't particularly suffer from vertigo it is absolutely worth going up to the Alcove house (reachable via some ladders attached to the wall.
Avoid the central hours of the day in summer as they can be particularly hot. Also pay attention to traffic restrictions in the summer period (there is a convenient shuttle service from the White Rock visitor center).

The drive to get there from Santa Fe is a nice drive and the park itself is well worth spending half a day in. The best part is at the farthest part out on the trail when you climb the ladders up to the small ruins up high on the cliff.

This was our second trip to this fantastic place. It is an awe inspiring site. So much history right before your eyes. There were a lot of people there the day we went and it wasn't even a weekend. We don't normally eat at the parks but the delightful aroma coming from the burger place was way too tempting. We had the Doug Burger and they were great.

The site features layers of habitation by the Ancestral Pueblo people that extends back as far as 10,000 years. Some of the most interesting features are a series of cave dwellings carved into the adjoining cliffs. Visitors are allowed to enter via a wide trail that includes stairs and ladders. Park rangers offer guided tours several times each day.

I was very impressed by the historical significance of this site. It has been inhabited since 1150 AD !. Visit the caves where people lived and enjoy the site's location (protected from enemies and with abundant water.) A must see when you visit Santa Fe (or a good reason to go there!)

I just retuned from Bandelier yesterday. A couple of points go early in the am when the crowds are sparse, parking is available and it is not that hot. Also, everyone is looking to take that photo opportunity on the kiva so if it is crowded naturally a line and up and down the stairs too. Not a bad idea to buy a freezer bag from the grocery store to take extra ice/snack. Also note that route 4 in is one single lane therefore the later more traffic and lots of twits and turn as you approach the park on that roadway.

This was one of the highlights of our trip. The park rangers were great and really nice and informative. Then you can take a couple mile hike through ruins that are 11,000 years old. You actually walkthrough and climb in a few of them. If you can take the ladders and heights, the climb to the alcove is really worth it. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.

We had such a great day at Bandelier. Be sure not to miss the Alcove house which is about 1/2 mile further down the trail after you see the cliff dwellings. You get to climb up these sturdy ladders and the view from the top is just awesome. I have a fear of heights but this particular climb didn’t bother me at all! So don’t be afraid!!!

You can do different trails with different length and rigor. Wear hiking shoes. You will need to do some climbing to see the cave dwellings.
We were given a wonderful little guide book noting the spots of interest with background and history.

This is a lovely National Monument with a wonderful history. The lower Pueblo trail loop is easy though it does have steps and goes uphill, but it is paved. The climb to the Alcove House is a series of ladders and steep drops, so use your best judgement. We thought is was worth it and loved our morning there. There is little shade so wear a hat and take water you are at altitude and dehydration is a real concern.

We enjoyed the easy walk along the bottom of the canyon in the early morning (important to arrive early). The joined a Ranger talk to explain the history of the area we had seen. It was wonderful.

This was an easy hike, with great self guided tour info available from the gift shop. Go early and bring water. In the summer they do not allow cars to drive into the park (not enough parking) you must take their bus from the visitor center. If you arrive early, before the park opens, you can drive in on your own. Going early will also help you to beat the heat.
It is a beautiful valley walk with an amazing looking into the ancestral Puebloans homes. Petroglyphs, homes carved into rock cliffs, and standing ruins.

There is an add on at the end of hike: a challenging set of stairs at the end. I was nervous, as there are 4 or 5 sets of 20 -40 foot long stairs, straight up. The stairs can only handle one way traffic so there can be waits if there are a lot of people (also why you should go early AM). Once at the top there is a beautiful view and interesting ruins. If you are not afraid of heights, this will be an easy hike.;

This was a great place to visit and hike ! lots of history,make sure yo stop and talk to a ranger and get a map/ booklet so you understand all of what you are seeing ! It's a bit of a workout after we toured the cliffs we ate a small lunch then hiked to the water falls there real cool as they were in a gorge and very scenic .This is a must do !

The Bandelier National Monument is without doubt one of the highlights in the area around Santa Fe! Especially in the winter months when there are fewer visitors, you have the impressive park almost to yourself! I walked the well-developed loop trail (2.5 km) from the visitor center and was able to admire the historical remains in peace and quiet. The area around the NM is also very worth seeing!

The park is full of history. You get real close to those pueblo houses. The Juniper campground is well maintained with vegetation between sites. Beautiful place to take photographs. The dark sky is a bonus.

This was an excellent experience! We walked the loop back to the Alcove House. The house was closed, but we were totally fine with that; the walk alone was amazing...seeing all the cliff dwellings. We climbed the ladders to see inside and enter the ones available. Climbing ladders is optional. It's a beautiful walk with a partial concrete walkway for accessibility. There are opportunies for various trails, some with elevation gain.

The quick visit we took to Bandelier was not enough time! We already have to go back and explore more. It is so cool that they allow you to go into a couple of the cave dwellings. I felt that that really made the experience an over and above type of one. Did the loop and got to check out some of the park, but there is so much more! You can easily drive to it from Santa Fe or Albuquerque as a day trip. Coming back for sure!

Wonderful time spent here hiking, visiting the cave dwelling, seeing petroglyphs, kiva ruins and a lovely lunch in their Cafe. A really great way to spend a few hours. It was disappointing that one of the trails was closed do to the flash flooding but we enjoyed the trails there. There is also an exhibit area but we don’t check that out.

This park has great trails and good information about what you are looking at. I visited in September and wished I would have gotten into the park earlier. The trails were warmer than the temperature suggested. I enjoyed imagining how people lived in this beautiful area.

If I were going again I would make a point of getting into the park before the shuttle runs. I missed the first shuttle because it was full. 30 min feels like a long time to wait for another shuttle. It is hard to see outside while you are in the bus so you have that feeling of arriving somewhere without knowing how you got there. Upon arrival there was a ranger who did a great job of directing people to buy passes, trails, restrooms, etc. There was a great little gift shop and food was available. I ended up waiting until I got back to White Rock and had a great lunch at the Pig and Fig Cafe.

A fascinating experience! Do as much or as little as you want...but don't miss the caves! A great day - whether by yourself, with a partner or with your kids. A definite DO NOT MISS.

Nice drive with good views. They didn’t charge admission to the park right now. Masks required. Trail Maps available at visitors center. Hiked some light trails. Lot of areas closed, but you can see some of the Anasazi ruins. Bathroom at visitors center is open but none open along the trail. Go before you head out! Day picnic areas open. Take water and wear closed shoes. Sandals get sand in them on the walking paths. TAKE A PRINTED ROAD MAP OF THIS AREA WITH YOU!!! Cell service is limited and the Los Alamos area is a government secure area. Be prepared to be subject to search if you go through that highway from Sante Fe. Be prepared to get lost if you don’t have a road map.

Part of the park was closed in Nov 2022 but the part that was open was stunning! Each National monument/park has its own sparkle and Bandelier definitely shines!

It is one of the most historic Native American sites in the whole country. Incredible caves that you can climb into and experience their way of life, while looking down on an idyllic and peaceful valley.

To walk the same paths as the Ancient Pueblo was amazing. The paths are an easy walk and being able to climb a ladder to the actual living space was almost a spiritual experience.
Advice : Go early, the parking area is small and lines do form.

There is a $25 per car entrance fee if you dont have a Nat'l Park Pass. We were skeptical, but it was well worth it! Great hiking trails, excellent education for kids, beautiful scenery. We saw several deer, ravens, and other birds. Found evidence of coyotes, but didnt see them. Our son had a great time climbing into the dwellings.

Wanted to avoid Wolf Creek Pass on trip from Colorado to Arizona and wanted to visit ruins and saw Bandelier was on the way. Perfect! Nice, cool, fall day for a hike. It was 1.1 miles from the visitor center out to the furthest ladder climbing ruins. Very beautiful area, amazing site. Really enjoyed it.

This is a fabulous monument. It is so well laid out & structured, we highly recommend it. Lots of paths & access to the cliff dwellings. You get a great look back at the early occupants and their homes. It is a clean and well organized park with loads of facilities for families including picnic tables and campgrounds. If you are in the area, you should make time to visit.

We enjoyed our visit here as much as our Mesa Verde visit. We arrived at 6:30am to beat the heat. We were basically in the park alone, but loved that we could hike in and visit the ruins without crowds or hassle. I wish we weren't visiting during a heat wave (already in the high 90s by 10am), because we would have loved to do more hiking here. Very peaceful and beautiful. The cliff dwellings were fascinating.

I would call Bandelier National Monument an absolute New Mexico must! The terrain is amazing and this is a place where you can really get into a variety of cliff dwellings. Some require very long ascents on ladders, but they're nicely anchored and safe for anyone with steady legs. For the more energetic and adventurous, there are more miles of trails ascending ridges and descending into canyons than you could hope to walk in a week. So whether you're looking for a massive adventure, or a quick look at some of the best cliff dwellings in the southwest, you'll find a perfect day here.

It is just a really cool place to hike and see where Native Americans made their homes hundreds of years ago. Some of the caves that apparently used to be open are now closed (maybe due to pandemic?). But just seeing them at all is a really exciting experience. We somehow missed the petroglyphs, and it may be because we only had a few hours to spend here. I would definitely like to go back and do more exploring. It will be nice when visitors' centers at the National Parks can reopen!

We visited in December and the only trail that was recommended was the 1.5 mile loop. We climbed the stairs….and there are many ……to get up close to the cliff dwellings. We did not climb the ladders since we were a group of 75 plus year olds. It it a beautiful place. An added unexpected plus was the cafe. The food was fresh and very good. The book store had many nice items for kids. I would definitely recommend a visit.

This was one of the highlights of our trip! Our 9 & 11 year olds absolutely loved exploring and learning about the way the Pueblos lived here. The trails are well maintained and the detour hike to the Alcove House was nice with its shade. Our 9 year old loved climbing the ladders at the Alcove House!

Bandolier Nat'l Monument offers the unique opportunity to experience native American cliff dwellings (caves) and learn about the agricultural community that existed 1000's of years ago.
Highly recommend the main loop trail for a good look at the ruins and the cliff dwellings.
Beautiful park and a 'must see' if you're in this region.
Safe travels.

Be Patient and Be Prepared! Note best times to get into the park because parking is limited.
We just kept driving through the line at the gate and finally got a turn to go in.
Great trails that are easy to walk, beautiful views, and informative. Climb to the top of the 14 story ladders for the best views. Disappointing that one area was closed due to vandalism, and a little trash in off trail places so not possible to pick up.

Amazing loop hike from the visitor’s center that allows you to view much of the historic area of the park. Longer hikes are available to view more of the area. Arrive before 9:00 am and you can park at the visitor’s center or you will need to take the bus from White Rock Visitor’s Center. Also they have an amazing park gift shop.

So much to see and learn here! There is an easy hiking trail looping around the cave dwellings as well as a longer, more difficult trail. From the easy trail you can see the dwellings carved into this soft, volcanic tuff as well as access the ladders and climb up for a closer view. This is one of the earliest dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo People, from about 1150 according to what we learned. Unfortunately we did not see any wildlife. Clean restrooms are on site, as well as a nice gift shop. Highly recommend!

We enjoyed our visit here. Some nice hiking trails and historic sites. We participated in the ranger tour which was enlightening.

An easy hike that provides a sense of pre history. Abandoned for hundreds of years you can still feel the presence of these early people. Climbing a few ladders is fun and some of the upper rock formations and balanced boulders are funominal. We did the loop and overlook.

The Falls trail is moderately challenging with two river crossings and several changes in elevation. We were pleasantly surprised by the variety of wild animals we encountered including white tail deer, grey squirrels, lizards and a gopher snake. The view from the last stop on this out and back trail was quite beautiful as the seasonal falls were at full volume.

There is a trail that takes visitors up close to extensive pueblo ruins along the rio frijoles. There are ladders provided to see up close inside 2 of the pueblos. Unfortunately, the largest, gathering pueblo was closed off due to vandalism. Nonetheless, very cool to see how people lived here hundreds of years ago. This trail requires some scrabbling between large rocks and some uneven stairs, and ascends a bit above the canyon floor, so may be unsuitable for those with mobility issues. The visitor center information was a little limited. There are many other hiking trails in this park, which I did not have time to visit.

A really great park. Recommended to buy the $2.00 guide book for the Main Loop Trail. Falls trail is impressive whether the falls are dry or not. Have not tried backcountry trails but would like to in the future.

What a wonderful experience. Unfortunately three of our group of four are in our upper 70’s so some sites (such as the caves) we were not able to experience. Our fourth person who’s only 69 did make it up through the cave area. One great experience.

Be aware that local tribes can close this park at will. Please confirm public access before you visit. Amazing and spectacular. Access to the ruins are somewhat limited, but lovely wooded grounds with a charming burbling creek. Bandelier is a treasure!

We have been to Bandalier several times and always find new things to enjoy. It's full of cliff dwellings, pueblo ruins, beautiful walking paths and wildlife- we usually see a deer or two. It's a way to experience a little bit of the lives of the native Americans who lived there a thousand years ago- so fascinating!!

Having never been to the Santa Fe area, we wanted to have activities that did not involve shopping, but we wanted to learn a bit of the culture of the area, so Bandelier fit the bill perfectly.
The short drive from Santa Fe on a blue sky day led us to the entrance where we picked up the "Essential $2 Guide to Bandelier" at the ranger station. If you skip this, you will likely not completely understand what you are looking at the rest of your visit. (It is only $2...!). This is not an intense hike as you can choose to climb ladders or not. I climbed most of them, but chose not to do the final one (The Alcove House) while my wife did them all.
It does give you some insight as to how life was here in the past and generates much thought of how different our world is today.
In short, it is a wonderful, outdoor activity that teaches one so very much and leaves you with questions that may be unanswerable.
What a treat!

Between mid-May and mid-October, private vehicles are only allowed to drive into the park before 9 A.M. and after 3 P.M. Between 9 and 3, visitors ride a shuttle bus from/to the visitor center in White Rock.

We made an early start on the day and arrived at the park's main entrance around 8:00 which allowed us to drive in and park in the lot at the Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center. The visitor center was not open, but laminated loaner trail guides were available at the front door, so we set out on the Main Loop Trail and the Alcove House spur trail (total 2.2 miles). This was a fabulous activity on a warm, sunny day in early October. We felt that we gained a great understanding of the geology of the land and the ancient people who lived here. Foundations of dwellings were visible along the trail. Arriving at the rocks, we found cliff dwellings accessed by ladder. Some of the cavates have sturdy ladders for climbing up to take a look. Alcove House is accessed by a series of tall, sturdy, well-attached ladders. By the time we completed the trail with stops along the way, the visitor center was open, and we took time for the video. Park rangers were very helpful with information. The park has more trails and could easily fill an entire day.

As we moved about New Mexico, Bandelier consistently ranked as one of our top three activities on the trip. We found it to be interesting and enchanting.

Excellent, well-interpreted 2-mile trail provides an excellent overview of Bandelier NM.

We bought the $2 trail guide which interprets 21 stops on the walk.

The return pathway along the creek was slushy, icy and muddy in spots.

This was an excellent, safe/socially distanced way to spend an afternoon while we were visiting Santa Fe. The drive from Santa Fe to Bandalier is jaw-dropping and there are many places to pull over and safely take in the view. If you have the opportunity to go on the free tour of the pueblos offered by the national parks rangers; our tour guide was named Gary Whitaker, and he was fantastic at explaining the area’s complex history and answering questions about the pueblo land and people. Overall( this was one of the best experiences we had while visiting the area. The tour was free and park admission is cheap - free with a national parks pass.

First of all, be aware that during certain times you will park at the White Rock Visitors Center and take a shuttle into to park. That shuttle ride takes about 20-30 minutes and will drop you at the park’s visitor center. There is a nice movie at the center, although it doesn’t go into the Pueblo people and how they lived in the cliffs. The walk from the visitor center to some of the dwellings is paved and easy to navigate. You will be able to go up into the cliff dwellings from there. To get up to them there are stone steps with handrails. Even if you choose not to climb the ladders once you are up there, the views are amazing. My husband is not able to climb the stairs or ladders, but there were benches in the shade that he used while I did a quick exploration. The ladders to the caves are not long or terribly scary and I chose to use them and loved to see both the caves and the views.

Wow! Really amazing location. Easy walk or take a harder option. There are 70 miles of trails. Ancestral Pueblo dwellings are within a short easy walk from visitor center. There are 140 foot wooden ladders to climb up to see cliff dwellings.

When we finally found how to get to Bandelier, it was well worth the time spent. Getting to Bandelier was difficult because the signage is not great. But, the the visit was really great. The park ranger was so engaging. She helped us spot some great petroglyphs.

Visited here with family. The area is beautiful. Trails clearly marked and defined for difficulty. We took the trail to the base of the Alcove House. Round trip a couple miles? But seemed leisurely and relaxed. We also went up into the Alcove. Not really leisurely! This 60 year old was a bit out of breath with the climb but totally worth it. Nice and informative park rangers. Nice gift shop. Interesting look at old Indian civilization. Will be back.

We visited the park during mid August. We left Santa Fe after breakfast and took the shuttle ride in front of White Rock Visitor Center at 10.30 AM. Then we spent few minutes at park Visitor Center and took a walk of the main loop (Big Kiva, Cliff Dwellings, Long House). We stopped for lunch at the park restaurant and back with shuttle ride to pick our car. Beautiful park, not crowded, well organised, worth a visit.

National Monument with hiking trails leading to cave dwellings and an Alcove that requires climbing 4 separate wooden ladders.

My husband and I went to Bandelier National Monument on a Thursday morning in July. We read that Bandelier NP was super busy on weekends and later in the day on weekdays. We arrived at 8:30 am and there were only 5 vehicles in the visitor center parking lot. It took us two and a half hours to explorer the Main/Nature/Pueblo Loop Trail and Frijoles Canyon/Alcove House trail to Alcove House. The Main/Nature/Pueblo Loop Trail is 1.4 miles round trip and is fairly easy. There are some steps. Most of the dwellings are on this trail. The Frijoles Canyon/Alcove House trail takes off of the Main/Nature/Pueblo Loop Trail about halfway around. The Alcove House trail was 1 mile round-trip and was easy. When you arrive at the Alcove House, the first ladder starts a climb that could be difficult or scary for some people. There is a nice view at the top. When we arrived back at the visitor center (at 11 am), the parking lot in front of the visitor center was full but there was plenty of parking available in the backpacker park lot and picnic area. We had a picnic lunch then drove back to almost to NM-502 (through White Rock) and hiked the Tsankawi Ruins trail (1.5 miles round trip). The sign is easy to miss. The Tsankawi Ruins trail has ladders to climb, petroglyphs to see and is part of Bandelier NP. All of the trails we took were amusing.

Bandelier National Monument is a must see if you are traveling to Los Alamos. The cliff dwellings are a trip back in time. If you like to walk, you should take the Pueblo Loop Trail. There are some ladders that you can climb, if you feel inclined to visit the caves.

Great visit! we had a nice day so it wasn't too hot. It was a nice easy walk on a trail. We enjoyed the history and seeing and climbing into the rooms. The end was a haul up through a series of ladders which where steep and tall! My husband doesn't like heights so he tried the first ladder and had to climb back down. Not for those who aren't comfortable with heights! We had lunch and a cold beer at the restaurant at the end of hike. We spent about 2-3 hours there. The only negative was the bathroom (outhouse) on the hike... it was disgusting!

You can drive right to the visitors center this time of year. Very few visitors today. We used our senior park pass. We loved all the history about the Pueblo Indians, the dwellings, the Petroglyphs, and all the rock formations. Allow at least an hour and a half to do the main part of the hike. Take water and plenty of pictures, a very cool area. If you like ruins, this is a must do.

Loved seeing this and learning the history. We participated in the Ranger-led tour at 10 am, and it added so much understanding to what we were seeing. We continued on the loop back to visitor center after the portion the ranger covered. My husband has had health issues and is limited in his ability to do serious hikes. I was concerned about his ability to climb the portions of the trail where you go up steps, but he did it no problem. Once you pass the cliff dwellings and descend, you follow a path under trees back to visitor center. We also enjoyed going through the museum.

Beautiful views, from the drive in and throughout the monument property. 1.5-mile loop starts right at the visitor center and goes by ruins on the ground and up to cave dwellings. It would be difficult to overstate how beautiful it is or how cool it is to see where people lived thousands of years ago. There are additional trails - you can see a lot in an hour, and it's well worth the drive down into the canyon, or you can make a day of it and explore the other trails.

Family friendly but limited access for the mobility impaired.
Dogs are not allowed.
Skip the movie in the visitor center. It's from the 70s or 80s and has very little information, just a lot of feeling statements.

Found this to be a very rewarding hike.
We did take the shuttle and it was easy. Allowed us to view the landscape instead of worrying about how to get there.

The tour begins with a quick explanation from a ranger. He was informative. One thing to note is to respect the property. Natives believe that their ancestors still inhabit these spaces and they probably do.

Took the basic loop as well as the one to Alcove House, which doubles the hike. The first loop shows the dwellings and requires climbing up and down stairways. Somewhat strenous and you are at elevation. We are both in our sixties and handled it fine. We met a tarantula on the path.

The second loop is much more flat until you get to the Alcove house. We did not go up, but enjoyed the walk through the forest to get there. We even ran into some ranger lumberjacks on the way.

We were glad to experience this and enjoyed the hike.

I had assumed we'd maybe spend an hour or two there before heading on, however I underestimated what an interesting & expansive place this was. So much to see & do, interesting informative trails. Always fascinating to find more of the history of this country's original inhabitants.

The highlight of this park is certainly the cliff dwellings. Most are easily accessible along a well-maintained path. A few require climbing stairs or short ladders, and a few tight spaces. The Alcove House, however, is an adventurous climb up several ladders some of which are over 20 rungs high. It's a fun experience, as long as you don't have a fear of heights. But the hike back from the dwellings through the valley is nearly as enjoyable. It's a relaxing walk along the stream that provided water to the valley through a beautiful wooded section of the park.

We arrived at Bandalier mid-morning, the drive from Santa Fe was beautiful. The visitor center shows a short movie about the Pueblos and the area several time each hour - we hadn't had much time to read up on the place so it was a nice, quick introduction. Based on advice we'd heard we headed straight to Alcove House first - there's 140 feet of ladders - so lots of waiting for others to climb up/down when it gets busy. There were only a dozen people in the area when we got there which was really nice. Alcove House was very interesting, definitely worth the extra mile hike and the climbing. We went back and started at the beginning to see the rest of the stops - there are many places that the trail is very narrow so you don't want to walk the trail backwards. The guide with numbered stops was very interesting and informative. We had brought a picnic lunch which we ate at one of secluded picnic tables along the creek and we had a beautiful view of the monument in the background. There wasn't much for food in the area. Quite an amazing sight overall.

What an awe inspiring experience! We only did the main loop and alcove house hike.

The hike is easy and you can climb into 3 cliff dwellings.

The alcove house is 140 feet climb up via ladders but totally worth it.

The attached gift shop has some cool items for purchase. There are bathrooms and drinking water available at the visitor center.

This place is so neat, it is a self-guided tour to walk around and look at the monument and surroundings. The little trails are cool. Guides are around if you have questions.

It has Interesting history and information. We didn’t take a guided tour, and think going at our own pace was a better idea.

Bandelier National Park offers a great window into the lives, history, and culture of the Puebloan people. Climbing the wooden ladders into ancient cliff dwellings carved from volcanic rock was an unforgettable experience. The Main Loop Trail is ideal for families and first-time visitors like us. Bandelier is a must-see.

Bring a camera! Stunning views, good facilities, very nice people. There’s a place to eat, shops, and lots of fascinating information about the history of the area.

The earlier you visit the better to avoid crowds, lack of parking spaces (in summer you’ll then have to take a shuttle bus from nearby White Rock to get in once parking is full), and the heat. Camped at Juniper campground so I could head out early to do some hiking. Even though it was July, it was very nice in the early morning (better colors for photography as well). Trails are open from dawn to dusk if you are staying at the park otherwise you cannot get in until 8am.

There is a bit for everyone here. From a well-maintained flat trail for people with disabilities to climbing tall ladders for folks without fear of heights to 70 miles of trails with overnight camping permits.

To be so close to Los Alamos and Santa Fe yet so far away in time is kind of mind bending.

The Falls trail was nice and even though the signage says the creek never runs dry, it was this year and there was only the sound of a few drops falling and no water to be seen at the 80’ waterless vertical opening in the valley. Thankfully the hike is in the shade among very tall ponderosas. Still worthwhile. El Rito de Los Frijoles (The Little River of Beans) runs along Frijoles Canyon and reaches the Rio Grande, 700 feet below.

Located in the Pajarito Plateau, Bandelier features ancient dwellings of the ancestral Pueblo people who lived in the area from 1150-1550/1600.
There’s somewhat of an unwritten rule that wherever there is a ladder you are welcome to enter the cavate (from cave+excavate), otherwise they are to be left undisturbed.

What surprised me the most was to learn that overall the cliff walls that are made of volcanic tuff have a lot of glass in them which makes them about 13F warmer than the valley – great place to be in the winter months. But that digging/carving such stone could be bad for your lungs/health.

Also that in the past workers at Los Alamos resided here when there wasn’t enough housing for them in town. There are rumors some may have been famous Russian spies living in the canyon!

Few graffiti here and there unfortunately – it would be nice if people didn’t leave traces of their travels so others can enjoy it.

Visitor center has great books to offer and an excellent museum.
In my sixties and had time to do Alcove House Trail, Falls Trail, Frey Trail to campground, The Tyuonyi Overlook Trail (from campground) and the Main Pueblo Loop Trail all in one day if starting early. Not that difficult for folks used to walking.

I am reminded time and time again of just how in-tune and ingenious the ancient people were. In general, they are not given enough credit for all that they have done/accomplish.

Love visiting this place and would like to come back during another season to get a different feel.

This living landscape continues to hold deep cultural and religious significance to the Pueblo people. These places were not abandoned, just no longer-lived in. The spirits of the Pueblo ancestors still live here.

No pets allowed on the trails - prepare accordingly. It gets really hot in the valley, leaving them in vehicles is not always an option.

Make sure you also visit companion site Tsankawi, a non-contiguous part of Bandelier (about 10 miles away). It gives you a much more complete understanding of how these people lived then. A must addition to this visit. Make sure you take your Bandelier pass if you have been there, it is accepted here for a week from the date of your Bandelier’s pass.

This was my second visit. The first time about 12 years ago didn't have so much infrastructure built around it. There was no entry house, no parking lot, and concrete sidewalks and guard rails.
We arrived at 9:00 when it opens. Fortunately, the entry fees were waived for today.
The kids ran ahead and attacked the cliffs by climbing the ladders which was half the fun. The tall ladders are the only way in and out. We couldn't climb up the ladder until those in the cave-like rooms climbed down first.
The tiny rooms had ceilings covered in black soot from the ancient firepits. Graffiti was evident as black handprints on the walls. A shame!
This is a "must go" attraction.

What a great day. Buy the $2 self guided tour. We did the loop with the alcove house extension in the morning. Despite it being school vacation week, the park wasn’t crowded and we were able to climb the ladders to the kivas and caves at our leisure. My husband and daughter climbed the ladders to the alcove house. I stopped after ladder 1. They said it was wonderful but I’m not a fan of heights. Little kids did it, I’m just a wimp. In the afternoon, we hiked the falls trail. Takes ~ 30 mins each way. Very beautiful.

Bought lunch at the cafe. $14 for a BLT. It was tasty.

Very memorable day.

About a hour drive frm Santa Fe, then once you enter the park another drive to actual visitors center. Very nice/helpful park rangers. Have a 1.4 Mile loop (includes some steps and ladders) to see dwellings. Cliff drawings were faint and hard to see. Options for longer trails. Cafe on site with great hamburgers

Wonderful national park. Hiked the main loop trail up to the cavates and up the ladders to the cave dwelling rooms. Enjoyed the visit, very educational.

Even in early October, the bus had standing room only on the way there, and on the return journey, not everyone was able to even stand on the bus which ran every 20 minutes.
I was pleasantly surprised that they provided loan copies of the guide detailing the stops along the trail.
We're 72 but fairly fit and found the trail easy, and so was the ladder climb to the Alcove. We enjoyed the challenge and uniqueness of the trail. There are clear signs warning of the heights, yet there were terrified youngsters stuck on the ladder. Might be good to add to the warning signs that children should climb up and BACK DOWN the first ladder before attempting to go further. Visitors were patient, but it did cause quite a backup while the children were coaxed back down crying.
No matter how short you are for time, try to get to Anderson Overlook layby (on the way to Los Almos). For us the rock formation and endless view made it the highlight of our visit to the area.

We took the tour with Monique as our guide and driver. She provided water and plenty of healthy snacks - almonds, protein bars, etc.
She is very informative and entertaining about the plants, trees and geology of the area. We learned about the volcanic ash that spread everywhere and became sandstone or pumice. It was soft enough that the indigenous peoples that lived there could carve out homes and meeting rooms. The river was close by so they could water their corns, beans and squash. She pointed our petroglyphs and round buildings that were for meetings - separate ones for men and women. The area is beautiful with forests, river and rock formations.
Along the way she stopped and showed us various sites and drove us through Los Alamos and explained a bit about Oppenheimer, the boys school and the work that continues there - what anyone is allowed to know.
So worth the trip!

We did the Main Loop Trail which was 1.5 Miles. The path is a combination of paved and nature trail and involves climbing 2 10-12 foot ladder on Cliff dwellings. There’s also ruins and remnants of Pueblo and petroglyphs. The trail is very well maintained and well managed. We skipped the Alcove House which was more challenging and involved 140 foot ladders.

We arrived when they opened and I’m glad because we basically had the main trail to ourselves. We took our 9-year-old and 11-year-old and we all enjoyed climbing the ladders into the caves. It’s a very pleasant hike with the sounds of a nearby creek following you. Not strenuous except for the vertical ascent to the alcove house (140 ft). The gift shop was quite charming with gourmet Mexican hot chocolate tablets, blankets with Native American patterns, native stuffed animals, cultural books, wonderful handmade soap, and an organic salve for people who have eczema, psoriasis or just dry skin; among other gifts. I bought the salve. The restaurant offers up unique dishes but not many so I’m pleased that we had packed a picnic lunch. There are several picnic tables. I know the staff love their job because the people who greeted us in the visitor center were very kind and informative. So was the park ranger we encountered on the trail who helped us find petroglyphs. We also hiked the waterfall trail which is more difficult and not for young kids as there are steep drops down the cliffside. Also there is no access to the waterfall itself. It’s quite far away when you do eventually see it. You also get a glimpse of the Rio Grande on your way to the falls.

Many trails closed due to wildfire risk but the one behind the visitor center was open and was able to climb into the cave dwellings and see some petroglyphs. Also did the Tyuonyi overlike which led to a nice view.

A short drive from Santa Fe brings you to Bandelier, a place you may have seen on television before. This is a small national park, which has a short walk from parking lot to the mountain-side residences. The trails in the park are easy for able bodied people. There are some residences you can go inside with the help of an old ladder. The room that served as a meeting place with petroglyphs is now off limits due to vandalism. 😟

Tips:
Go in the morning before it gets hot.
Take your prescription glasses, the old petroglyphs on the walls are over thirty feet away and hard to see without good vision.

The park is very nice. A nice short, scenic, drive from Santa Fe. We did two short hikes: The Long House (Main Pueblo Loop Trail) and Alcove House. Both involve climbing up wooden ladders. The Loop trail was fun and easy. It is good for supervised children. Alcove House was a bit strenuous with multiple ladders to climb. After climbing up to Alcove House the people in my group, as well as others, were disappointed. If you just want the exercise, then do the Alcove. If you think you are going to see something wonderful, skip Alcove.

We got there about 9:00 and had no trouble parking. It was hot, in the 90s, but we're from Wisconsin and it wasn't humid, so we didn't really think it was that hot. One family member didn't want to hike all the way to Alcove House, but there were plenty of benches (in the shade) for her to wait. We all enjoyed the cliff dwellings, and climbing the ladders up to Alcove House is a great experience. Gorgeous area and some very interesting signs that teach about the local trees, vegetation, animals and insects. Loved everything about Bandelier!

The Bandelier National Monument is of archeological significance as it has artefacts from human settlements in the area over 10,000 years ago. This is an important link in the history of Pueblo people and the National Park Service has done an excellent job to preserve and protect this site of historic significance. Because of the crowds and the limited parking at the Bandelier National Monument, currently visitors are expected to go to the White Rock Visitor Center from which there are frequent shuttles (at an interval of 30 minutes on weekdays and 20 minute on weekends and holidays) which take you up to the Bandelier monument. There is a visitor center there as well, which showcases a short film about the history of life in the area many millennia ago. The visitor center also has maps containing the trails and short commentary of various points in the map.

The main loop starts from the visitor center and is around 1.25 miles long with some excellent access to the ruins. There is an additional trail that extends from one end of the main loop, which leads to the Alcove House, which adds an extra 1 mile to the main loop. There are a number of stops along the main loop and the trail guide available at the visitor center has detailed explanation about what is displayed at each stop. I found the big Kiva to be particularly fascinating, it was an important part of the community for religious activities, ceremonial rituals, education and culture. The scale of the Kiva is very fascinating, considering how ancient the structure is. The Tyuonyi point had the remnants of how a village looked like, and I must say the restoration of this piece is incredible. There are multiple stops where you can climb ladders to take a peek inside cave dwellings - a peek into how life was during those days. I'd particularly highlight the Alcove House here, though it involves some additional walk from the main loop trail, it involves climbing up four set of ladders going up almost 140 feet in the process to access the Alcove House. That is definitely not something to do with little kids. The views of the Frijoles Canyon and the surrounding landscape are magnificent at multiple points walking on the trail - be sure to stop and savor the views on the hike to see the monuments!

There will be some significant walking (and optionally going up and down ladders if you choose to) if you are visiting Bandelier National Monument, so wear good, comfortable shoes if you are visiting. Plus plenty of water and sunscreen - you are going to be hit up with some significant sun if visiting on a sunny day! Adjacent to the visitor center is a gift shop and a cafe as well.

We returned after 30 years. It was early on a weekday in April but it was packed. We had to park in the overflow parking. Helpful park rangers and trails of all abilities to see petroglyphs and kivas. There is also another part of the park separate from the Visitor Center that's on the edge of Los Alamos that we really enjoyed. It was a 1.5 mile, uncrowded trail to see some petroglyphs.

Great site with a good walk to see hill side dwellings. It is stunning to imagine how this once was. Walk to dwellings easy but some steps up which you can bypass

Fritz and Linda were gracious guides. The 360 degree views from high elevations on the Bandolier tour are different indeed from the Ghost Ranch tour but just as spectacular. For my sister and myself, during our first visit to New Mexico, the Bandolier tour provided an easy way to see the natural environment that is characteristic of New Mexico and so vastly different from other terrains.

I am so glad my sister and I booked this trip.

It had been 50 years since my wife was on a Girl Scout expedition to the Bandelier National Monument and she really wanted me to see it. So we drove the short forty-five minute trip from Sante Fe up to Bandelier and I was really glad we did. Spent the day hiking the Main Look and the Falls Trails. Actually it was much more than a hike because in true "scouting spirit" we made it an education. The Trail Guides are a must if you really want to learn about history of Bandelier and the Frijoles Canyon. Allow plenty of time if you really want to see and learn because it took us the entire day. And although little looked familiar fifty years later, we left with new memories and understanding of the rich history of the area.

We loved it. It is a beautiful hike, no matter what. The scenery and history are incredible and I highly recommend it!

We were not familiar with Bandelier but saw the information as we were preparing our trip. This was a very interesting and historical place to visit. We did the basic hike and climbed all the way up the ladders which is a must if you go. Fortunately we were not there at a busy time as only one person at time an use the ladders and the same ladders are used for people goijng up as well as coming down.

Loved the mile and a half round trip hike and seeing and entering the Pueblos. Amazing to see the artwork on the walls and the remains of the homes.

Beautiful hike under the tall pines, lots of bird and small animal life.

Wonderful way to spend the day! The Pueblo Loop trail is a must do even if you don't want to climb the stairs to see the cliff homes. Seeing the Alcove House is also worth the 1/2 mile each way, but it becomes a bit of a traffic jam climbing the ladders.

We hiked to the pueblo ruins on the mountainside. It really isn't a long walk although there are several sets of steps. You can climb ladders to see inside the cave-like dwellings. There are pueblo ruins before you get to the cliff dwellings. I wish I had known what to expect because I was afraid the walk would be too strenuous for someone as out of shape as I am. I was totally impressed by the site we visited and I'm so glad we went. We also saw some cactus in bloom. The visitors center was not open due to Covid, but restrooms and gift shop were open.

This was such an amazing place to visit. The history of this place is awe inspiring as to the toughness of the people that constructed the structures in the side of the mountain. The main climb at the end of the trail is a lil tough but well worth the climb. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring you something to drink while you are there.

We wanted to see cliff dwellings, and this place did not disappoint. It can be a bit tiring, especially if you climb up and down the ladders (the altitude can get to you), but well worth the effort. We did the Main Loop Trail which took us past several climbable cave entrances, and plenty of beautiful views. We opted to take the Alcove House trail off the Main Loop (an extra mile roundtrip), and it was amazing. Climbed 140 feet up ladders and stairs to the beautiful alcove carved right into the cliff, with awesome views. Plenty of warning signs about not doing this trek if you are afraid of heights! We spent about 2.5 hours and loved it.

This place is awesome! You need a park pass to be here if you park at the visitors lodge, otherwise, you need to ride the shuttle in during specific times (9a-3p). Very walkable 1 mile loop that is mostly paved. Of course, there are a few ladders to climb to look inside the cliff-side dwellings. Add another 1 mi round trip to see the Alcove House, which also adds 140 ladder steps up. Fantastic history of the ancestors of this area. Mind-blowing actually. Bring water. Very, very stable ladders if you're concerned about that.

Cute place to walk and view unique history. It was a nice place to walk, even in January. There were patches of snow or ice on the ground occasionally, so we had to have careful footing.
We climbed some of the ladders to look around. Minimal other visitors were there, which was nice.