Bandelier National Monument
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: cultural heritage, historic landmark
Set amid rugged canyons and volcanic cliffs, Bandelier National Monument preserves the ancient structures and artifacts of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Explore cliff dwellings, rock art, and scenic trails that reveal centuries of human history and the beauty of the Pajarito Plateau.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Hike the Pueblo Loop Trail and Alcove House – Walk among ancient pueblos and climb ladders to a reconstructed kiva 140 feet above Frijoles Canyon.
- Visit the Tsankawi Section – Explore a 1.5-mile (one-way) mesa-top trail with ancient carved pathways, ladders, and petroglyphs at this unexcavated Ancestral Pueblo site.
- Take a Ranger-Led Tour – Join seasonal ranger walks to discover Bandelier’s archaeology, geology, and wildlife, and learn how volcanic forces sculpted this dramatic landscape.
- Hike to Upper Falls – Follow the scenic Falls Trail along Frijoles Creek to a cascading waterfall surrounded by forested canyon walls and wildflowers.
- Look for Petroglyphs and Pictographs – Spot ancient rock art etched and painted into cliff faces near the Long House and along the Pueblo Loop Trail.
Itinerary Idea: Pair your visit to Bandelier National Monument with a ride on the Santa Fe Scenic Train. Departing from the Santa Fe Depot, this restored passenger train offers first-class service and sweeping views of New Mexico’s high desert, including the dramatic Galisteo Basin.
Photo Credit: Lon&Queta/Flickr