One Day at Bandeiler National Monument: Complete Guide + One Day Itinerary
Take a walk back in time through ancient cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument. This one day guide features everything you need to know before you go, including what to bring, when to go, and top things to do.
After spending the weekend camping at the second largest canyon in the US, Palo Duro Canyon located in northern Texas, we continued on our route to Lake Powell where we would spend the season working. But first we had to make a stop in Santa Fe to visit the Bandelier National Monument. Ancient pueblo homes, interactive hikes, and breathtaking scenery make this a must do when visiting Santa Fe!
Over 70% of Bandelier National Monument is wilderness providing a variety of animal life, such as, black bears, mountain lions, elk, bats, hummingbirds, rattle snacks, and tarantulas. Much of the monument is made from volcanic ash, left over from an eruption by the Valles Caldera, the super volcano located in the northwestern area of Bandelier. If you’re visiting Santa Fe, you got to check out the Bandelier National Monument.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Bandelier National Monument
Getting to Bandelier
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Top Things to Do
ABOUT BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT
Bandelier is a 33,000 acre National Monument located in northwestern Santa Fe. It was established in 1916 and preserves Ancestral Pueblo homes, kivas, rock paintings, and petroglyphs dating back over 10,000 years. The parks main attraction is the 1.4 mile Main Loop Trail that takes you in and around ancient dwellings created from volcanic ash. The park also offers full moon hikes, backcountry camping, and night sky viewing.
ENTRANCE FEE
$25 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. American the Beautiful Passes are accepted. Entrance fees can be purchased ahead of time, online to avoid waiting at the toll both.
SHUTTLE SYSTEM
From mid June to mid October between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. visitors wishing to explore Bandelier will have to take the parks free shuttle bus. Buses runs every 20 to 30 minutes and take you from White Rock Visitor Center to Frijoles Canyon where the parks main attractions are.
TIP | If visiting in the off season, its recommended to arrive at the park before 10:30 a.m. or after 2 p.m. to secure a parking spot due to limited parking spaces.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They are allowed in the Juniper Campground, Cottonwood Picnic Area, and in the parking lot in front of the visitor center. They aren’t allowed on any park trails.
No reservations are required to visit Bandelier National Monument.
GETTING TO BANDELIER
Bandelier National Monument is located in northern New Mexico, about 1 hour drive from the popular city of Santa Fe. The park sits on the Pajarito Plateau in the Jemez Mountains and features a diverse landscape of canyons, mesas, and volcanic ash. It’s neighbor to the Valles Caldera super volcano.
Los Almos - 12 miles or 20 minutes
Santa Fe - 41 miles or 50 minutes
Taos - 71 miles or 1.5 hours
Albuquerque - 85 miles or 1.5 hours
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Santa Fe Regional Airport
Albuquerque International Sunport
WHEN TO VISIT
SPRING
Spring in Bandelier means blooming wildflowers followed by unpredictable weather. Clear blue skies can lead to a heavy snow storm.
SUMMER
Afternoon thunderstorms are common. June is the hottest month with an average high in the 80s.
FALL
Fall brings warm sunny days with typically clear blue skies. Ranger Programs, such as, Fall Patio Talk, Backcountry Hikes, and Guided Tours are available.
WINTER
Winters are cold with an average of 2 feet of snow. The Alcove House may close due to ice on the trail.
Always check for current conditions before visiting Bandelier National Monument.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love using our insulated bottles to have ice cold water for the whole day.
Sun Protectant
There is minimal shade on the trails in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Hiking Shoes
To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide traction and support.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in Bandelier National Monument. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry camping.
Hours and services vary by season so it’s best to check for current conditions before planning a trip.
SIRPHEY AT BANDELIER RESTAURANT
A cafe style restaurant offering burgers, salads, and other homemade goodies. Closed in the winter.
JUNIPER CAMPGROUND
Open year round and the only developed campground inside Bandelier National Monument. The campground has 52 sites and are first come first served. Each site comes with a picnic table, grill/firepit, and can accommodate up to 10 people. Water and dump station are available. Group sites are also available.
Sites are $12 per night.
TOWNS NEARBY
LOS ALMOS
A small town located just outside the national monument. Home to the National Lab and known for the development and creation of the atomic bomb.
LODGING
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Comfort Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites
FOOD
Natural Grocers
Smiths
Los Almos Cooperative Market
SANTA FE
Founded in 1916 and is the oldest capital city in the US. Known for its historic buildings, Native American culture, and art district.
LODGING
La Quinta by Wyndham
Best Western Plus Inn
Eldorado Hotel & Spa
Hilton Santa Fe
La Fonda on the Plaza
The Lodge at Santa Fe
Hotel Chimayo
The Sage Hotel
Double Tree
Pecos Trail Inn
Hotel St Francis
+ many more
RV PARKS
Trailer Ranch RV Resort
Los Suenos de Santa Fe
Santa Fe Skies
Rancheros de Santa Fe
HIPICO Santa Fe
Hyde Memorial State Park
FOOD
Whole Foods
Walmart
Smiths
Natural Grocers
Albertsons
Market Street
Food King
Target, Sprouts
Trader Joes
TOP THINGS TO DO
Visitor Center Exhibit
Start your exploration of Bandelier at the Visitor Center. Grab a park map and check out the park exhibit to learn about the history and geology of Bandelier National Monument. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store.
Main Pueblo Trail
The Main Pueblo Trail is by far the most popular section of Bandelier. Visitors can embark on a 1.4 mile journey in and around Big Kiva, Tyuonyi, Talus House, and Long House. The path can be accessed from the visitor center and is partly wheel chair accessible.
Alcove House
Climb 4 wooden ladders and a series of stone steps up 140 feet to Bandelier’s Alcove House. Located half a mile past the Main Pueblo trail, the Alcove house was home to 25 ancestral pueblo people and is one of the only structures you can enter in the park.
Tsankawi
Take scenic hike to view the Ancestral Village of Tsankawi. The path to Tsankawi is a 1.5 mile walk along a mesa top, & up a series of ladders to view ancient rock carvings and the Village of Tsankwai. Located 12 miles from the visitor center. Directions can be confusing. Visit the park website for visiting Tsankwai.
Experience the Night Sky
For a memorial experience in Bandelier, join an evening summer program or stay overnight in the campground and experience what a truly dark sky looks like. Full Moon Hikes are offered in the summer and and feature a 2 mile hike to watch the moon rise over the mountains.
Seasonal Park Programs
In the cooler months, several different programs are offered at Bandelier National Monument providing a unique experience. Take a tour around the backcountry on a guided hike to learn about the plant and animal life of Bandelier. Learn about the culture, geology, and nature of Bandelier with Fall Patio Talk, offered in the mornings and afternoons.
Backpack the Wilderness
For a more in depth exploration of Bandelier National Monument pick up a free backcountry permit and tour the parks remote wilderness. This is a great way to avoid the crowds and experience the incredible night sky. Permits can be picked up from the visitor center. No pets are allowed in the backcountry.
Parks as Classrooms
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
Junior Ranger Program
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Bandelier National Park then this is great way for you’re kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
Stop 1. Check out the visitor center exhibit.
Stop 2. Join the Fall Patio Talk
Stop 3. 1.5 mile Main Pueblo Trail
Stop 4. Explore the Alcove House
Stop 5. Grab lunch at Sirphey Bandelier Restaurant.
Stop 6. Full Moon Hike
Stop 7. Camp over night if possible.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever been to Bandelier National Monument.
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WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Take a walk back in time through ancient cliff dwellings at the Bandelier National Monument. This one day guide features everything you need to know before you go, including what to bring, when to go, and top things to do.