Overview
Great Facilities and Amenities
Bbq
(50 of 51 campsites have Bbq)
Campfire Allowed
(All campsites have Campfire Allowed)
Checkin Time
(Majority of the campsites have 1:00 pm)
Checkout Time
(All campsites have Checkout Time)
Drinking Water
(All campsites have Drinking Water)
Driveway Entry
(Majority of the campsites have back in)
Firepit
(All campsites have Firepit)
Food Storage Locker
(All campsites have Food Storage Locker)
Hike In Distance To Site
(Up to 50')
Max Num Of People
(Up to 20)
Max Num Of Vehicles
(Up to 2)
Pets Allowed
(All campsites have Pets Allowed)
Picnic Table
(All campsites have Picnic Table)
Shade
(13 of 51 campsites have Shade)
Site Access
(All campsites have Site Acceses)
Natural Features
![A tan brick building surrounded by juniper. A tan brick building surrounded by juniper. - Credits: NPS Photo](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2020/05/14/15/48/233395_29223228-62e7-4b9d-97fa-a8e00889ef85_700.jpg)
![Wooden ladder leading up to a cave Wooden ladder leading up to a cave - Credits: Sally King](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2022/11/29/22/43/233395_57ecd687-7849-4c5e-b834-26699408a43a_1440.jpg)
![Amphitheater with brown benches and a tan building surrounded by pine trees Amphitheater with brown benches and a tan building surrounded by pine trees - Credits: NPS Photo](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/images/69380.jpg)
![Hiking trail going through a stand of tress Hiking trail going through a stand of tress - Credits: Sally King](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2022/11/29/22/20/233395_29322441-7ee1-4de3-b90e-84d1d1bb38a8_700.jpeg)
Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged, beautiful canyon and mesa country which features evidence of human presence 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 in the surrounding communities.
Bandelier National Monument sits at the southern end of the Pajarito (Spanish for little bird) Plateau. The plateau was formed by two eruptions 1.6 and 1.4 million years ago. Home to the Bandelier Wilderness, Bandelier ranges from 5340 ft at the Rio Grande River to the south and 10,199 ft at the summit of Cerro Grande to the north, almost a mile of elevation change in just under 12 miles. This elevation gradient creates a unique diversity of habitats specific to Northern New Mexico. The diversity of habitats and quick access to water supported a relatively large population of Ancestral Pueblo people. Currently, Piñon-Juniper woodlands dominate in the southern parts of the park transitioning through ponderosa pine savannahs and forests, finally reaching mixed conifer forests at the highest elevation. Scattered throughout the park are desert grasslands, montane meadows, and riparian areas in the canyon bottoms. Over 70 miles of trails at Bandelier climb in and out of deep canyons and cross large flat mesas, showcasing the entire spectrum of volcanic geology and ecosystems found within the park.
The park is home to over 55 species of mammals including mule deer, Abert's squirrels, mountain lions, black bears, and 16 species of bats. Replitles and amphibians of all shapes and sizes can be seen. Birds such as Steller's jays, canyon towhees and mountain chickadees stay year-round, whereas turkey vultures, western tanagers, and black-headed grosbeaks are summer residents.
Recreation
![View into Frijoles Canyon with archeological sites View into Frijoles Canyon with archeological sites - Credits: Sally King](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2022/11/29/22/22/233395_0b8386e0-e598-4fb2-8595-03d970e08eb8_1440.jpg)
![View into Frijoles Canyon with archeological sites View into Frijoles Canyon with archeological sites - Credits: Sally King](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2022/11/29/22/22/233395_0b8386e0-e598-4fb2-8595-03d970e08eb8_1440.jpg)
Bandelier is home to over 70 miles of hiking trails most of which are located within federally designated wilderness. Two trails are accessible directly from Juniper Family Campground. The Frey Trail follows the historic route into Frijoles Canyon and descends down the canyon wall to the Visitor Center and the Main Loop Trail. The Tyuonyi Overlook Trail leaves the amphitheater parking area for a 3/4-mile hike across the open mesa top to an overlook providing breathtaking views of Frijoles Canyon and of Tyounyi, an ancestral Pueblo village.
The Bandelier Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information and ranger programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and more. Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by shuttle bus only (or by hiking) from mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by private vehicle outside the shuttle bus period.
Many other opportunities for recreation are close by including Valles Caldera National Preserve, Santa Fe National Forest, US Department of Energy pulic recreation trails, and others around Los Alamos County.
Rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, however many popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.
Permitted Equipment
rv-Up to 40ft
tent-Up to 55ft
trailer-Up to 55ft
vehicle-Up to 20ft
5th wheel-Up to 40ft
camper van-Up to 26ft
pickup camper-N/A
pop up camper-Up to 40ft
Nearby Attractions
The town of Los Alamos has shopping, museums, amenities, a movie theater, ice rink, ski hill, and is home to Manhattan Project National Historic Site.
Nearby Department of Energy and US Forest Service lands provide trails which accommodate pets.
Valles Caldera National Preserve is 16 miles west of Bandelier.
Jemez Historic Site is 37 miles west.
Pecos National Historical Park is 70 miles southeast.
Santa Fe, 40 miles south of the park, is home to the New Mexico state capitol, museums, historic districts, art galleries, food, accomodations, and more.