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Visitor Center Rehab Begins

The beautiful historic 1930's CCC visitor center at Bandelier is getting a much needed rehab. The building lacked good accessibility, contained hazardous materials, and struggled to accommodate the electrical, computer needs of the twenty-first century. 

See how this work will affect your visit
See how this work will affect the historic building
Updates on Visitor Center Construction
 

 
american pika

Visiting Bandelier

Bandelier National Monument will celebrate National Park Week (April 17 - 25, 2010) by offering free entry into the park and a 15% discount off all items, except trail guides, in the Western National Parks Association bookstore during the celebration.

Extreme flooding on Frijoles Creek has forced the temporary closure of some trails and parts of others. Check at the visitor center for details or call (505)672-3861 x 517.

Current Visitor Center Hours 9 AM - 530 PM
Frijoles Canyon, Tsankawi open 7 AM - 7 PM
All other day use areas open from dawn to dusk

Although construction at the visitor center may affect your visit, all park trails remain OPEN during the above stated hours, weather permitting. At 1.2 miles round-trip, the Main Loop Trail is the most visited park trail with small ladders, petroglyphs, and many Ancestral Pueblo dwellings.   Many people also add Alcove House with its 140 foot ascent on 4 wooden ladders and many stone stairs. The ladders at Alcove House may be closed for safety reasons if icy conditions exist.  

Juniper Family Campground is currently open but will close for rehab on June 1, 2010 and remain closed through the summer and into the fall.

Month by Month Information to plan a visit     

more...

 
A pastel drawing of the historic Visitor Center by artist Helmut Naumer.

The People of Bandelier

Bandelier has a long human history and links to the modern Pueblos. Traditions which began in the distant past are still practiced today. At Bandelier, evidence of the Ancestral Pueblo people can be found in the dwellings, artifacts, and continuing culture of the modern pueblos. Early Spanish settlers, the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), and  the National Park Service also left their mark on the local landscape. more...

Click here to see the park's extensive museum collections.

 
Ranger with Kids

Especially For Teachers

Education is a primary function of the National Park Service. Bandelier is hard at work developing lesson plans, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, etc. that can be used on a field trip to the park or in the classroom. With a diversity of natural and cultural resources, the park is an excellent setting for teaching in person or via the web.

Resources for teachers...

 
 

Write to

Superintendent
Bandelier National Monument  15 Entrance Road
Los Alamos, NM 87544

Phone

Visitor Center
(505) 672-3861 ext. 517

Recorded Information
(505) 672-0343

Fax

(505) 672-9607

Climate

New Mexico has a mild, semi-arid climate characterized by abundant sunshine. The summer monsoon season usually brings brief but exciting thundershowers in late afternoon, while winter snowstorms alternate with long stretches of sunny, cloudless days. In the Bandelier area, temperatures range from summer highs in the mid-90s to winter lows in the 0s.
Communities Surrounding Bandelier National Monument
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Santa Clara, NM (32 min. ) Pop. 1,944
Espanola, NM (33 min. ) Pop. 9,688
Santa Cruz, NM (38 min. ) Pop. 423
Jemez Springs, NM (39 min. ) Pop. 375
Hernandez, NM (41 min. )
Tesuque, NM (43 min. ) Pop. 909
San Juan Pueblo, NM (43 min. )
Ponderosa, NM (45 min. ) Pop. 310
Alcalde, NM (47 min. ) Pop. 377
Cochiti Lake, NM (49 min. )
Santa Fe, NM (50 min. ) Pop. 62,203
Medanales, NM (52 min. )
Jemez Pueblo, NM (54 min. ) Pop. 1,953
Cochiti Pueblo, NM (55 min. )
Pena Blanca, NM (58 min. ) Pop. 661
Abiquiu, NM (1 hr.  1 min. )
Buena Vista, NM (1 hr.  5 min. )
Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM (1 hr.  18 min. ) Pop. 2,550
Canones, NM (1 hr.  27 min. )