We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
TripAdvisor
Los Alamos
Trips
Inbox
More
    Help Center

    Bandelier National Monument

    1,877 Reviews
    #1 of 18 things to do in Los Alamos
    Features Animals
    Sights & Landmarks, Nature & Parks, More
    Open Now: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
    15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544-9508
    Open today: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
    Save
    ADMISSION TICKETS (1)
    America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
    From $80.00*
    ADMISSION TICKETS (1)
    America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
    From $80.00*
    BOOK A TOUR
    Bandelier National Monument from Santa Fe
    Day Trips
    From $140.00*
    1,807
    All photos (1,807)
    Full view
    Certificate of Excellence
    Traveler Overview
    5.01,877 reviews
    • Excellent79%
    • Very good17%
    • Average2%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travelers talk about
    “main loop”(272 reviews)
    “cliff dwellings”(247 reviews)
    “white rock”(221 reviews)
    About
    Bandelier National Monument is 50 square miles of the Pajarito Plateau, on the slopes of the Jemez Volcanic field in the Jemez Mountains. Over 70% of the Monument is Wilderness, with over 1 mile elevation change, from about 5000' along the Rio...more
    Open Now
    Hours Today: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
    See all hours
    Suggested duration: More than 3 hours
    Contact
    15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544-9508
    Website
    +1 505-672-3861 ext. 517
    Call
    Improve This Listing
    Improve This Listing

    Improve This Listing

    Ways to Experience Bandelier National Monument
    Bandelier National Monument from Santa Fe
    43 Reviews
    from $140.00
    More Info
    America the Beautiful - National Parks...
    1 Review
    from $80.00
    More Info
    Reviews (1,877)
    Write a Review
    Filter reviews
    1,822 results
    Traveler rating
    1,471
    305
    41
    3
    2
    Traveler type
    Time of year
    LanguageEnglish
    More languages
    1,471
    305
    41
    3
    2
    Show reviews that mention
    All reviews main loop cliff dwellings white rock alcove house visitor center climb ladders long house frijoles canyon frey trail ancestral pueblo canyon floor santa fe trail guide national monument ceremonial cave mule deer worth the climb
    FilterEnglish
    Updating list...
    1 - 10 of 1,822 reviews
    Reviewed 2 days ago
    Absolutely Great!

    There is a $25 per vehicle entry fee, but no charge with a NPS Senior Pass. From 9am on the only access is by shuttle bus. If you arrive before 9am you can drive your vehicle down to the lot at the visitor center entrance....More

    Date of experience: September 2018
    Thank Ron T
    Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
    Bandelier

    Plan or arriving early and staying the whole day. There are trails for all activity levels. See authentic Native American artifacts.

    Date of experience: July 2018
    Thank Jill K
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Created a life long memory here

    Wonderful place to visit. We have always lived on the East Coast and were amazed how the scenery changed driving from NC out West. We chose to stay in Santa Fe so we could see the Indian ruins here and the Los Alamos science museum....More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank ILuvEngland
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Enjoyable day of history and nature

    I visited on a day trip from Albuquerque. Was happy I picked Bandelier rather that the museums in Los Alamos. The mix of nature and historic ruins is impressive. There was a little snow on the ground in late November, so was glad I had...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank SCalif
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Worth a Visit!

    This will not require much hiking skill, which is good for me cause I'm out of shape. Regardless, you will have to ability to see a large number of cave dwellings and be able to go inside a few. Easy to walk pathways. Plan on...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank Ronald M
    Reviewed 5 weeks ago via mobile
    Great National Monument

    My wife and I have visited many National Park designated sites but this was our first time here. It has a great visitor center and a nice movie to see. You then walk out to see Bandelier NM and the setting is awesome and well...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank Scott C
    Reviewed December 4, 2018
    Grandeur, history, and hiking—well worth the visit!

    We were delighted to discover Bandelier National Monument as a multi-dimensional experience, just one-hour drive between Santa Fe and the park. The drive alone was well worth the trip with breathtaking views and light traffic both ways. The main attraction of the park starts at...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank raharrington85
    Reviewed December 2, 2018
    Well worth the drive out from Santa Fe if you love the outdoors and history!

    The main loop trail takes you past all the important sights. The trek up to the cliff overlook didn’t provide a really good view at the top —about half way up was as good as it got. Easy walking to see the ruins and cavelets...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank Evelyn O
    Reviewed December 2, 2018
    Natural and Man Made Wonder

    It is the highlight of our trip to New Mexico. We arrived about 2pm and parking was fine, but at peak season it's recommended to take the shuttle bus to the site. The ranger at the visitor center was enthusiastic and informative.Since it was late,...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank veronical751
    Reviewed November 30, 2018 via mobile
    Beautiful walk

    Lovely 3 hours. Fantastic history of the Pueblo Indian ancient caves and wonderful easy hike. More exciting by climbing up the ladders 140 feet up cliff face! Fallen trees in the canyon and wish we could do o e of the other longer hikes ....More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank Susanne W
    View more reviews
    123456…183
    Nearby
    Nearby HotelsSee all 4 nearby hotels
    Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos
    356 reviews
    4.35 miles away
    Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Los Alamos Entrada Park
    182 reviews
    5.68 miles away
    Motel 6 Los Alamos NM
    28 reviews
    6.01 miles away
    Comfort Inn & Suites Los Alamos
    126 reviews
    6.13 miles away
    Nearby RestaurantsSee all 54 nearby restaurants
    Pig+Fig Bakery and Cafe
    115 reviews
    4.45 miles away
    Little Saigon
    26 reviews
    4.31 miles away
    Don Villas Restaurant
    15 reviews
    4.18 miles away
    Bandelier Grill
    68 reviews
    4.18 miles away
    Nearby AttractionsSee all 24 nearby attractions
    Cochiti Golf Club
    36 reviews
    9.83 miles away
    Than Povi Fine Art Gallery
    5 reviews
    9.95 miles away
    Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
    1,388 reviews
    11.71 miles away
    See all 4 nearby hotelsSee all 54 nearby restaurantsSee all 24 nearby attractions
    See all
    Questions & Answers
    Ask a question
    See all 23 questions
    Glenn G
    September 5, 2018|
    Answer
    Response from Joanie B | Property representative |
    If you are referring to the free shuttle from White Rock to Bandelier, no reservations needed, simply meet the bus outside the White Rock Visitor Center. The shuttle bus is required to access the park from 9am-3pm... More
    -1
    Votes
    REV201611
    August 23, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 16 answers
    Response from JRBrandes | Reviewed this property |
    The Main Loop is still interesting without climbing the ladders. But Bandelier is a very large park with MANY trails and that is only one of them. There are Mesa trails and other types as well. We hiked the Falls Trail... More
    0
    Votes
    hstreak
    August 23, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 3 answers
    Response from janet g | Reviewed this property |
    Parking yourself, and not using the shuttle, should not be a problem. You will just drive to the park itself.
    0
    Votes
    123456…8
    Travel Forum Posts
    Stuart K
    Los Angeles, California
    Bandelier Nat'l Monument, Carlsbad,Caverns & White Sands (6 Replies)
    What is the best way to visit Bandelier National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns, and White Sands National Monument? We will be flying from Los Angeles, and will be renting a car. We would love to see White sands in the afternoon and at sunset, and hike the main entrance and see the Kings room at Carlsbad. We would love to do this trip in 4-5 days. Is that possible? We love to hike, but time limitations may prevent that.
    October 08, 2013|
    Response fromStuart K|
    My priority would be to see White Sands during the afternoon and sunset, and Carlsbad Caverns in the morning, and evening; with Bandelier only if it can be fit into a 5 day trip. Where should I fly first from LA, and what would be the best order to visit all 3. If I need to leave out Bandelier, so be it.
    LuckyWorldTraveller
    San Francisco, California
    Bandelier NM to Jemez Peublo (4 Replies)
    Based on a reply from another topic, for my trip in mid Sep and from keith's trip report, I have planned to drive from Santa Fe to ABQ via Bandelier and take Route 4 - through Jemez mountains to end in Bernalilo and proceed to ABQ. It would be great if you can point out the best places to stop. I currently know of: Bandelier National monument Valles Caldera Jemez Springs (a good one? and not far off the route?) Jemez NM Jemez Peublo Thanks in advance!
    August 30, 2010|
    Response fromTimToad123|
    Those would be the high points based on my doing that drive many times. Jemez Springs is actually a little town, and I mean little, but very pretty. If you were to even hit a few of those and spend any length of time at each stop expect that trip to take the better part of a whole day. The Valle Caldera is best appreciated from the roadside and/or by taking a little hike on one of the perimeter trails to get a little above it, but I have no idea on your time frame or activity...More
    gypsysoultx
    Dallas, Texas
    10 day Itinerary help?.. Please! (1 Replies)
    Hello everyone, my upcoming New Mexico trip will be May 19-28, 2015. We are three travelers in our 20s renting a car from Dallas, planing to do a roundtrip itinerary and arriving back in dallas late on May 29th. We would like to visit the following locations: Ra Paulette caves near Ojo Caliente Wild Earth Llama adventures in Taos Tent rocks national monument Bandelier National Monument White Sands National Monument Wheeler Peak Mountain Bisti Wilderness Am i being...More
    March 29, 2015|
    Related to items you viewed
    Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
    Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
    1,388 Reviews
    Geologic Formations
    Bradbury Science Museum
    Bradbury Science Museum
    797 Reviews
    History Museums, Science Museums
    Tsankawi
    Tsankawi
    172 Reviews
    Educational sites, Hiking Trails
    White Rock Overlook Park
    White Rock Overlook Park
    262 Reviews
    Parks, Lookouts
    Santa Fe Plaza
    Santa Fe Plaza
    2,724 Reviews
    Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks
    Frijoles Canyon
    Frijoles Canyon
    44 Reviews
    Canyons