Bandelier National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: New Mexico
📘 Park Overview
Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful canyon and mesa country. 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.
🌤 Weather Information
Spring daytime temperatures in the 70's can be followed by a snow storm with wet heavy snow and daytime temperatures in the 40's. Summers are dry with June usually being the hottest month of the year. Days in July, August and September often end with thunderstorms that can drop heavy localized rain and are often accompanied by lightning. Autumn weather is usually sunny with blue skies and warm (but not hot) days and cool nights. Winter average snowfall 25". Snow and ice can close trails and roads.
🚗 Directions
From NM285 US84 in Pojaque NM. West on NM502, West on NM4 to White rock. Then 12 miles to the monument entrance on the south side of the road. Bandelier is in a remote location, with cell service in the canyon limited to Verizon 4G only. Services like Uber and Lyft will bring you here, but there may be no way to contact a ride out. Please plan your pickup before being dropped off at Bandelier.
Images
A view of Tyuonyi and the cliff dwelling in Frijoles Canyon from the mesa.
Credit: NPS Photo/Sally King
A view of Tyuonyi from a cavate along the Main Loop Trail in Frijoles Canyon.
Credit: NPS Photo/Sally King
A view of Long House dwellings from the mesa top.
Credit: NPS Photo/Sally King
A view of Frijoles Canyon from the Frey Trail
Credit: NPS Photo/Sally King
A view of the Valles Caldera from Cerro Grande, the highest point in Bandelier.
Credit: NPS Photo/Sally King
A view of the Rio Grande, the lowest point in Bandelier, from the mesa above Frijoles Canyon
Credit: NPS Photo/Sally King
Bandelier visitor center in winter
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Apr 1
Moderate rain
High: 60.6°F | Low: 45.1°F
Humidity: 71%
Wind: 26.2 mph
Rain Chance: 87%
UV Index: 5
Sunrise: 06:51 AM
Sunset: 07:27 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (99%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 45.6°F
Cloud Cover: 87%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Apr 2
Sunny
High: 72°F | Low: 38.1°F
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 22.4 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 9
Sunrise: 06:49 AM
Sunset: 07:28 PM
Moon: Full Moon (100%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 43°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Apr 3
Sunny
High: 57.7°F | Low: 34°F
Humidity: 38%
Wind: 16.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 8
Sunrise: 06:48 AM
Sunset: 07:29 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (99%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 34.3°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Fire Weather Watch issued April 1 at 2:58AM MDT until April 2 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Effective: Apr 1, 2026 4:58am
Expires: Apr 1, 2026 5:00pm
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH THURSDAY FROM 2 PM UNTIL 9 PM ACROSS THE
NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS AND PLAINS, CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, AND EAST
CENTRAL PLAINS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY...
.An upper level trough passing to the north of New Mexico will
spread strong southwest winds and very low humidity across parts
of eastern New Mexico on Thursday. Wind speeds will weaken during
the evening and humidities will climb, easing fire weather
concerns.
* AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Highlands (Zone 123), Northeast
Plains (Zone 104), Central Highlands (Zone 125), and East
Central Plains (Zone 126).
* 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45
mph. Strongest winds will be along and north of I-40.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values 9 to 13 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommend.
Wind Advisory issued April 1 at 10:43AM MDT until April 1 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Effective: Apr 1, 2026 12:43pm
Expires: Apr 1, 2026 8:00pm
* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph
expected.
* WHERE...Central Highlands and Guadalupe County.
* WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs may be blown down. Expect strong crosswinds on area roadways,
including portions of U.S. Highway 285.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Evening Program
Join a park ranger at the park's amphitheater as they talk about one of the many interesting topics associated with Bandelier National Monument!
Date: Dec 12, 2025 12:00am to Dec 12, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Pueblo Loop Trail Guided Walk
Join a ranger for a guided walk along a portion of the Pueblo Loop Trail. This easy hike is among the most popular trails at Bandelier. Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, Natural Resource history, and ties from the past to the present, this walk is a wonderful overview of what makes Bandelier truly special.
Please bring good walking shoes, sun protection, and water; meet at visitor center.
Location: Meet at Visitor Center (15 Entrance Rd)
Date: Feb 11, 2026 12:00am to Feb 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
A New Era of Riparian Monitoring
Join Ranger and Plant Biologist Ana as she dives into the history and process of monitoring the complex riparian areas of Bandelier. Discussing impacts and changes over time from fires, floods, and what future management might look like.
Meet in Visitor Center Theater. (Park film will be suspended at this time)
Location: Visitor Center Theater located inside main visitor center building.
Date: Feb 11, 2026 12:00am to Feb 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Original Stories and Artwork from Anthony Ryan Edaakie from Zuni Pueblo (Special Guest Presentation)
Join us in the Visitor Center Theater for a special presentation with Anthony Ryan Edaakie from Zuni Pueblo as he shares his original stories and artwork created through his internship with Ancestral Lands and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.
Location: Visitor center theater inside the main visitor center building.
Date: Feb 11, 2026 12:00am to Feb 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Birthday Cake and Bandelier Trivia!
Join us in the Bandelier Visitor Center for Trivia and birthday cake to celebrate Bandelier National Monument's 110'th birthday! Take a look at the other events this week and kick off our year to a great start!
Location: Visitor Center Complex at Bandelier National Monument
Date: Feb 11, 2026 12:00am to Feb 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pueblo Loop Trail Guided Walk
Join a ranger for a guided walk along a portion of the Pueblo Loop Trail. This easy hike is among the most popular trails at Bandelier. Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, Natural Resource history, and ties from the past to the present, this walk is a wonderful overview of what makes Bandelier truly special.
Please bring good walking shoes, sun protection, and water; meet at visitor center.
Location: Meet at Visitor Center
Date: Feb 12, 2026 12:00am to Feb 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Valentine Making Party!
Get crafy with us and create a special Valentine to give out! Stop by any time between 9:30am - 12:00pm to construct a true piece of art! Open to all ages, no reservation or registration required.
Located in Visitor Center.
Location: Visitor Center
Date: Feb 12, 2026 12:00am to Feb 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pueblo Loop Trail Guided Walk
Join a ranger for a guided walk along a portion of the Pueblo Loop Trail. This easy hike is among the most popular trails at Bandelier. Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, Natural Resource history, and ties from the past to the present, this walk is a wonderful overview of what makes Bandelier truly special.
Please bring good walking shoes, sun protection, and water; meet at visitor center.
Location: Meet at Visitor Center
Date: Feb 13, 2026 12:00am to Feb 13, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) District Walking Tour
Join a ranger and walk back in time to learn about the historic district holding the largest cluster of CCC buildings. Once a hotel holding numerous visitors, now transformed into offices and housing, delve into the complex history of the depression era work-camps.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and sun protection. Starts at Visitor Center.
Location: Walk will be behind the Visitor Center in the CCC district.
Date: Feb 13, 2026 12:00am to Feb 13, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pueblo Loop Trail Guided Walk
Join a ranger for a guided walk along a portion of the Pueblo Loop Trail. This easy hike is among the most popular trails at Bandelier. Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, Natural Resource history, and ties from the past to the present, this walk is a wonderful overview of what makes Bandelier truly special.
Please bring good walking shoes, sun protection, and water; meet at visitor center.
Location: Visitor Center starting point.
Date: Feb 14, 2026 12:00am to Feb 14, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance Road
Los Alamos, NM 87544
🏤 Mailing Address:
Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance Road
Los Alamos, NM 87544
📞 Voice Phone: 5056723861
📞 Fax Phone: 5056729607
✉️ Email: band_visitor_center@nps.gov