Bandelier
National Monument

VISITATION:

Highest in May through September; lowest in December and January.

LOCATION:

Nearest towns are Los Alamos and White Rock, New Mexico.

ADDRESS:

Headquarters: Bandelier National Monument
HCR 1, Box 1, Suite 15
Los Alamos, NM 87544

TELEPHONE:

General Information (505) 672-0343

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily.
Summer: Visitor Center, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.;
Winter: Visitor Center, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
Spring/Fall: Visitor Center, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.;
Frijoles Canyon: dawn to dusk.
Closed December 25, January 1.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Warm and dry, with rain in early summer months. Chance of snow storms from October through May. Wear comfortable sportswear type clothing in season, with sturdy walking shoes. The elevation in Frijoles Canyon is 6,000 feet and can cause breathing difficulties for some people visiting from lower elevations.

DIRECTIONS:

Visitors traveling North-South on I-25 take second Santa Fe exit (St. Francis) to 84/285 West. Follow signs to Bandelier at every major junction.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Monument: no regularly scheduled commercial transportation available.
In Monument: walking or hiking only.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

Entrance fee: $10.00 per car for a seven day permit. Commercial and recreational groups fees vary. Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports honored. Camping fees are $10.00 per site/per night.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Visitor center in Frijoles Canyon has exhibits on prehistoric and historic Pueblo culture. Information available on monument as well as nearby attractions.

Trails, Roads:

Paved roads lead into monument visitor center and campgrounds. No other roads available for use by visitors. Approximately 70 miles of back country trails available for overnight use.

Programs/Activities:

Regularly scheduled guided walks, evening programs and interpretive talks in summer months. Self-guided trails year round.

Lodging and camping facilities:

No lodging in monument; available in towns of Los Alamos and White Rock 12 to 15 miles away. Ninety-four site campgrounds available for use seasonally, usually from mid-April to October on first-come first-served basis. Group campground available seasonally by reservation only.

Food/supplies:

Restaurants and grocery stores in nearby towns.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Concessionaire operated gift shop and snack bar. Bookstore operated by Southwest Parks and Monuments Association located in visitor center.

Accessibility:

Visitor center not to standard but accessible. Visitor center rest rooms not up to standard but accessible. Ruins trail accessible part way. Two wheelchairs available for loan. Orientation slide show captioned. Two tactile tables available.

Special Needs:

Buses are not allowed to park in canyon area most of year. Limited parking for visitors; can be an hour wait for parking. Pets not allowed on trails and must be on leash at all times where allowed.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PART USE:

Sight-seeing at ruins and other trails. Backpacking, day hikes and bird watching. In season, guided walks, crafts demonstrations, evening talks and walks. Camping and picnicking in designated areas.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations for school and other educational groups should be made at least two weeks in advance. At least one month's notice and application for Special Use Permits is required. Make reservations for group campground as far in advance as possible. Filming permits are issued on an individual basis (based on size of the project, whether a movie, commercial, etc., how many park personnel needed for supervision, and how much time will be involved.) For additional information concerning reservations, special use, or filming permits, call (505) 672-3861 ext. 502.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Average length of stay for day use is about 3 hours. Overnight length of stay averages 48 hours.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Craft making demonstrations by local American Indians presented on weekends throughout summer months. Evening programs in campground amphitheater daily throughout summer months.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Several Indian Pueblos nearby are open to public except on certain feast days. A science museum that deals with the development of the atomic bomb is located in Los Alamos. Numerous historic sites and museums are located within one to two hours from monument.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write Monument Headquarters, Bandelier National Monument, HCR1, Box 1, Suite 15, Los Alamos, NM 87544.

Last Updated:Wednesday, 08-Oct-97 14:13:13
http://www.nps.gov/band/