Bandelier National Monument: Exploring Cliff Dwellings

Bandelier National Monument is located near Los Alamos, New Mexico. This 33,677-acre monument preserves the homes and artifacts of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here from approximately 1150 CE to 1550 CE. The park features cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and beautiful landscapes, making it a great stop if you are in the area.

Here is everything you need to know:

Getting There

The main entrance to the monument is accessed via NM-4. However, during the peak season (mid-June through mid-October), private vehicles are not allowed in the main area between 9 AM and 3 PM, so visitors must use the shuttle service (city bus) from the White Rock Visitor Center. The only exceptions to that are for those arriving before 9 am and after 3 pm, bicycles, anyone with a handicapped placard, and anyone seeking an Overnight Backcountry Permit. We called on our way and explained we had three children in car seats, thinking we might be able to get an “exception” but there was no budging whatsoever.

Using the Shuttle from White Rock Visitor Center

The White Rock Visitor Center is located at 115 NM-4, White Rock, NM 87547.

Operating Hours: The shuttle runs daily from mid-June to mid-October, with buses departing every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends. The last shuttle leaves the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center at 5 pm.

Cost: There is no additional cost for the shuttle, rather, it is free with your park pass.

Parking: Ample parking is available at the White Rock Visitor Center.

Facilities: The Visitor Center offers restrooms, information, and exhibits about the area, similar (or better) to a national park visitor center. You can also purchase park passes at this visitor center.

The bus does leave right on schedule just outside the building on the main road. It will take you into the park, first stopping at the main gate to give a headcount of those on the bus, then at the camping area, and finally at the visitor center. Expect the ride to take a little over 20 minutes. You can then pick up the shuttle when you are done in the same area at the visitor center.

Exploring the Monument

Plan on doing the Pueblo Loop Trail and the Alcove House at a minimum!

Visitor Center and Pueblo Loop Trail

Upon arrival, you will need to first go into the visitor center to either show your park pass or purchase one. There, you can also find exhibits on the Ancestral Puebloans, including artifacts like pottery, tools, and clothing. Additionally, the Pueblo Loop Trail, a 1.4-mile loop, starts from the Visitor Center. It will likely take about 45 minutes to an hour to complete the loop.

This trail takes you past key archaeological sites, including:

Tyuonyi Pueblo: This large, circular pueblo was once two stories tall with over 400 rooms, and was likely home to over 100 people.

Talus House: The current house was reconstructed in 1920. Similar ones, built from rock debris at the bottom of the cliff, used to be in front of the other cavates.

Long House: These ruins are from homes that were built along the base of the cliff allowing them to be 3 to 4 stories tall. There are also hundreds of petroglyphs near Long House.

Along the trail, there are multiple cliff dwellings that you can access by ladder. The dwellings are built into the cliff face and provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans. This was obviously our kid’s favorite part of this stop!

Alcove House

At the halfway point on the Pueblo Loop Trail, you can either go back to the visitor center or add another mile onto your trip (1/2 each way) to Alcove House. The site is located 140 feet above the floor of Frijoles Canyon and is now reached by 4 wooden ladders and several stone stairs. In Alcove House, there is a reconstructed kiva and the viga holes and niches of former homes.

Long Trail Hikes

You also have the option to go on some longer hikes, one that we decided against. The recommended ones include:

Frijoles Canyon to Upper Falls: A 3-mile round trip hike that takes you through beautiful canyon scenery to a series of waterfalls. It’s a moderately strenuous hike, great for those looking to explore beyond the main loop.

Tyuonyi Overlook Trail: A 2.5-mile round trip hike that offers stunning views of Tyuonyi Pueblo from above.

Frijoles Rim Trail: A longer, 12-mile round trip hike for experienced hikers, offering panoramic views of the canyon and surrounding areas.

Final Note:

The nearby town of Los Alamos is a town most known for its pivotal role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Once we caught the shuttle back, we loaded up the car to check it out and see what sites we could tour from the WWII days (Hint: there wasn’t much).

WE ARE THE BLAISE FAMILY!

We began our crazy road trips back in 2015. Our family looked a little different back then. It was just Jeremy and Lindsey…in her 1st trimester with our firstborn! We learned a lot on that 5,500-mile trip across 11 states, seeing 45 destinations in 12 days. We just completed our 8th road trip, lasting three weeks and 4,500 miles. Feel free to browse around to learn more about what we did and if any of it is right for you!