About 1.2 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created a
14-mile-wide circular depression in the earth now known as Valles Caldera. The
preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and
meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native
peoples and embraces a rich ranching history.

About 1.2 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created a 14-mile-wide circular depression in the earth now known as Valles Caldera. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich ranching history.

Bird's eye view of the park

Valles Caldera National Preserve

Located at about 7,900 feet in elevation in the Jemez Mountains, Fenton Lake
State Park contains 700 acres, of which 37 acres is lake surface. The property
was bought by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and shortly
thereafter became a popular state park. The park has only one trail, the Hal
Baxter Memorial Cross-Country Ski Trail and Biathlon Practice Area. An easy
two-mile loop, it winds along the bank of the Rio Cebolla and by the non-
hookup campsites southwest of the lake. The park attracts cross-country skiers
in the winter.  
  
Fenton Lake State Park is open year round and even offers wheelchair-
accessible fishing platforms. Stocked with rainbow trout from fall through
spring, the lake is home to German brown trout, an ideal spot for fly-fishing.
Although most anglers prefer the warmth and comfort of summer, there is also
winter ice fishing. The fishing is excellent when the migratory waterfowl fly
in.  
  
Fenton Lake State Park offers visitors a Group Picnic Shelter, 37 Campsites (5
are Electrical hookups), allows horseback riding, fishing, has playground,
trails, boat ramps and RV pull through sites. Please note there are no
showers. Fenton Lake also prohibits all gasoline powered vessels and is
restricted to electric and paddle craft only.  
  
Park Elevation 7,650 ft  
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.

Located at about 7,900 feet in elevation in the Jemez Mountains, Fenton Lake State Park contains 700 acres, of which 37 acres is lake surface. The property was bought by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and shortly thereafter became a popular state park. The park has only one trail, the Hal Baxter Memorial Cross-Country Ski Trail and Biathlon Practice Area. An easy two-mile loop, it winds along the bank of the Rio Cebolla and by the non-hookup campsites southwest of the lake. The park attracts cross-country skiers in the winter. 

Fenton Lake State Park is open year round and even offers wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms. Stocked with rainbow trout from fall through spring, the lake is home to German brown trout, an ideal spot for fly-fishing. Although most anglers prefer the warmth and comfort of summer, there is also winter ice fishing. The fishing is excellent when the migratory waterfowl fly in. 

Fenton Lake State Park offers visitors a Group Picnic Shelter, 37 Campsites (5 are Electrical hookups), allows horseback riding, fishing, has playground, trails, boat ramps and RV pull through sites. Please note there are no showers. Fenton Lake also prohibits all gasoline powered vessels and is restricted to electric and paddle craft only. 

Park Elevation 7,650 ft 
<a href="http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/fentonlakestatepark.html" rel="nofollow">Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website</a>.

Fenton Lake State Park

The Manhattan Project is one of the most transformative events of the 20th
century. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s
first atomic bombs. The building of atomic weapons began in 1942 in three
secret communities across the nation. As World War II waned in 1945, the
United States dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
Japan—forever changing the world.

The Manhattan Project is one of the most transformative events of the 20th century. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. The building of atomic weapons began in 1942 in three secret communities across the nation. As World War II waned in 1945, the United States dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan—forever changing the world.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

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.

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.

## Overview

Juniper Family Campground is the ideal place to camp on the Pajarito Plateau.
Located just inside the main park entrance, the campground is a short drive
from the Bandelier Visitor Center, the Frijoles Canyon Shuttle bus system
(mid-May to mid-October), and the adjacent towns of Los Alamos and White Rock.
Juniper Family Campground is the perfect "home base" to explore the Pajarito
Plateau, Jemez Mountains, and all of north central New Mexico!

The campground is divided into 3 loops:

  * Abert's Squirrel Loop (Loop A) campsites are available year-round as first-come, first serve only. Pay for first-come, first-serve campsites at the self-pay kiosk located at the Juniper Family Campground or in-person at the Bandelier Visitor Center during business hours.
  * Black Bear Loop (Loop B) campsites are open year-round and are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Some sites may open on shorter booking windows (7 or 14 days in advance or the day of arrival). 
  * Coyote Loop (Loop C) campsites are open seasonally, March 1 – October 31, and are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Some sites may open on shorter booking windows (7 or 14 days in advance). 
  * **You may also book campsite reservations in Loops B & C on the day of arrival** (subject to availability). **HOWEVER, cell service/data is not always reliable in the park and no public WiFi is available.** The park highly recommends booking your reservation from the neighboring towns of Los Alamos and White Rock before heading to Bandelier. 
  * Group campsites (in Loop A) are available by reservation only up to 12 months in advance until the day before arrival (subject to availability). Same day reservations are not available for group campsites.

## Recreation

Bandelier is home to over 70 miles (113 km) of hiking trails most of which are
located within federally designated wilderness. Two trails are accessible
directly from Juniper Family Campground. The Frey Trail follows the historic
route into Frijoles Canyon and descends down the canyon wall to the Visitor
Center and the Main Loop Trail. The Tyuonyi Overlook Trail leaves the
amphitheater parking area for a 3/4-mile (1.2 km) hike across the open mesa
top to an overlook providing breathtaking views of Frijoles Canyon and of
Tyounyi, an ancestral Pueblo village.

  
The Bandelier Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information
and ranger programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and
more. Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by shuttle bus
only (or by hiking) from mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by
private vehicle outside the shuttle bus period.

Many other opportunities for recreation and exploring the history and culture
of the area are nearby, such as Valles Caldera National Preserve, Manhattan
Project National Historical Park, Los Alamos museums, the Jemez District of
the Santa Fe National Forest, US Department of Energy public recreation
trails, and others around Los Alamos County.

Rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, however many
popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.

## Facilities

Bandelier is home to over 70 miles (113 km) of hiking trails most of which are
located within federally designated wilderness. Two trails are accessible
directly from Juniper Family Campground. The Frey Trail follows the historic
route into Frijoles Canyon and descends down the canyon wall to the Visitor
Center and the Main Loop Trail. The Tyuonyi Overlook Trail leaves the
amphitheater parking area for a 3/4-mile (1.2 km) hike across the open mesa
top to an overlook providing breathtaking views of Frijoles Canyon and of
Tyounyi, an ancestral Pueblo village.

  
The Bandelier Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information
and ranger programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and
more. Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by shuttle bus
only (or by hiking) from mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by
private vehicle outside the shuttle bus period.

Many other opportunities for recreation and exploring the history and culture
of the area are nearby, such as Valles Caldera National Preserve, Manhattan
Project National Historical Park, Los Alamos museums, the Jemez District of
the Santa Fe National Forest, US Department of Energy public recreation
trails, and others around Los Alamos County.

Rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, however many
popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.

## Natural Features

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres (13355 ha) of rugged,
beautiful canyon and mesa country which features evidence of human presence
going back over 11,000 years. 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.

Bandelier National Monument sits at the southern end of the Pajarito (Spanish
for little bird) Plateau. The plateau was formed by two eruptions 1.6 and 1.4
million years ago. Home to the Bandelier Wilderness, Bandelier ranges from
5340 ft (1628 m) at the Rio Grande River to the south and 10,199 ft (3109 m)
at the summit of Cerro Grande to the north, almost a mile of elevation change
in just under 12 miles (19 km). This elevation gradient creates a unique
diversity of habitats specific to Northern New Mexico. The diversity of
habitats and quick access to water supported a relatively large population of
Ancestral Pueblo people. Currently, Piñon-Juniper woodlands dominate in the
southern parts of the park transitioning through ponderosa pine savannahs and
forests, finally reaching mixed conifer forests at the highest elevation.
Scattered throughout the park are desert grasslands, montane meadows, and
riparian areas in the canyon bottoms. Over 70 miles (113 km) of trails at
Bandelier climb in and out of deep canyons and cross large flat mesas,
showcasing the entire spectrum of volcanic geology and ecosystems found within
the park.

The park is home to over 55 species of mammals including mule deer, Abert's
squirrels, mountain lions, black bears, and 16 species of bats. Reptiles and
amphibians of all shapes and sizes can be seen. Birds such as Steller's jays,
canyon towhees and mountain chickadees stay year-round, whereas turkey
vultures, western tanagers, and black-headed grosbeaks are summer residents.

## Nearby Attractions

The town of Los Alamos has shopping, museums, amenities, a movie theater, ice
rink, ski hill, and is home to Manhattan Project National Historic Site.

Nearby Department of Energy and US Forest Service lands provide trails which
accommodate pets.

Valles Caldera National Preserve is 16 miles (26 km) west of Bandelier.

Jemez Historic Site is 37 miles (60 km) west.

Pecos National Historical Park is 70 miles (113 km) southeast.

Santa Fe, 40 miles (64 km) south of the park, is home to the New Mexico state
capitol, museums, historic districts, art galleries, food, accomodations, and
more.

## contact_info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general
information, please call: (505) 672-3861.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Juniper Family Campground is the ideal place to camp on the Pajarito Plateau. Located just inside the main park entrance, the campground is a short drive from the Bandelier Visitor Center, the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/shuttle.htm" rel="nofollow">Frijoles Canyon Shuttle bus system</a> (mid-May to mid-October), and the adjacent towns of Los Alamos and White Rock. Juniper Family Campground is the perfect "home base" to explore the Pajarito Plateau, Jemez Mountains, and all of north central New Mexico!  
The campground is divided into 3 loops:
<ul>
<li>Abert's Squirrel Loop (Loop A) campsites are available year-round as first-come, first serve only. Pay for first-come, first-serve campsites at the self-pay kiosk located at the Juniper Family Campground or in-person at the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/hours.htm" rel="nofollow">Bandelier Visitor Center during business hours.</a> </li>
<li>Black Bear Loop (Loop B) campsites are open year-round and are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Some sites may open on shorter booking windows (7 or 14 days in advance or the day of arrival). </li>
<li>Coyote Loop (Loop C) campsites are open seasonally, March 1 – October 31, and are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Some sites may open on shorter booking windows (7 or 14 days in advance). </li>
<li>You may also book campsite reservations in Loops B & C on the day of arrival (subject to availability). HOWEVER, cell service/data is not always reliable in the park and no public WiFi is available. The park highly recommends booking your reservation from the neighboring towns of Los Alamos and White Rock before heading to Bandelier.  </li>
<li>Group campsites (in Loop A) are available by reservation only up to 12 months in advance until the day before arrival (subject to availability). Same day reservations are not available for group campsites.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
Bandelier is home to over 70 miles (113 km) of hiking trails most of which are located within federally designated wilderness. Two trails are accessible directly from Juniper Family Campground. The Frey Trail follows the historic route into Frijoles Canyon and descends down the canyon wall to the Visitor Center and the Main Loop Trail. The Tyuonyi Overlook Trail leaves the amphitheater parking area for a 3/4-mile (1.2 km) hike across the open mesa top to an overlook providing breathtaking views of Frijoles Canyon and of Tyounyi, an ancestral Pueblo village.
 The Bandelier Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information and ranger programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and more. Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by shuttle bus only (or by hiking) from mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by private vehicle outside the shuttle bus period.   

Many other opportunities for recreation and exploring the history and culture of the area are nearby, such as Valles Caldera National Preserve, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Los Alamos museums, the Jemez District of the Santa Fe National Forest, US Department of Energy public recreation trails, and others around Los Alamos County.  

Rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, however many popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.
<h2>Facilities</h2>
Bandelier is home to over 70 miles (113 km) of hiking trails most of which are located within federally designated wilderness. Two trails are accessible directly from Juniper Family Campground. The Frey Trail follows the historic route into Frijoles Canyon and descends down the canyon wall to the Visitor Center and the Main Loop Trail. The Tyuonyi Overlook Trail leaves the amphitheater parking area for a 3/4-mile (1.2 km) hike across the open mesa top to an overlook providing breathtaking views of Frijoles Canyon and of Tyounyi, an ancestral Pueblo village.
 The Bandelier Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information and ranger programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and more. Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by shuttle bus only (or by hiking) from mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by private vehicle outside the shuttle bus period.   

Many other opportunities for recreation and exploring the history and culture of the area are nearby, such as Valles Caldera National Preserve, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Los Alamos museums, the Jemez District of the Santa Fe National Forest, US Department of Energy public recreation trails, and others around Los Alamos County.  

Rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, however many popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres (13355 ha) of rugged, beautiful canyon and mesa country which features evidence of human presence going back over 11,000 years. 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.  
Bandelier National Monument sits at the southern end of the Pajarito (Spanish for little bird) Plateau. The plateau was formed by two eruptions 1.6 and 1.4 million years ago. Home to the Bandelier Wilderness, Bandelier ranges from 5340 ft (1628 m) at the Rio Grande River to the south and 10,199 ft (3109 m) at the summit of Cerro Grande to the north, almost a mile of elevation change in just under 12 miles (19 km). This elevation gradient creates a unique diversity of habitats specific to Northern New Mexico. The diversity of habitats and quick access to water supported a relatively large population of Ancestral Pueblo people. Currently, Piñon-Juniper woodlands dominate in the southern parts of the park transitioning through ponderosa pine savannahs and forests, finally reaching mixed conifer forests at the highest elevation. Scattered throughout the park are desert grasslands, montane meadows, and riparian areas in the canyon bottoms. Over 70 miles (113 km) of trails at Bandelier climb in and out of deep canyons and cross large flat mesas, showcasing the entire spectrum of volcanic geology and ecosystems found within the park.
The park is home to over 55 species of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/nature/mammals.htm" rel="nofollow">mammals</a> including mule deer, Abert's squirrels, mountain lions, black bears, and 16 species of bats. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/nature/reptiles.htm" rel="nofollow">Reptiles</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/nature/amphibians.htm" rel="nofollow">amphibians</a> of all shapes and sizes can be seen. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/nature/birds.htm" rel="nofollow">Birds</a> such as Steller's jays, canyon towhees and mountain chickadees stay year-round, whereas turkey vultures, western tanagers, and black-headed grosbeaks are summer residents.

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The town of Los Alamos has shopping, museums, amenities, a movie theater, ice rink, ski hill, and is home to Manhattan Project National Historic Site.  
Nearby Department of Energy and US Forest Service lands provide trails which accommodate pets. 
Valles Caldera National Preserve is 16 miles (26 km) west of Bandelier.  
Jemez Historic Site is 37 miles (60 km) west. 
Pecos National Historical Park is 70 miles (113 km) southeast.  
Santa Fe, 40 miles (64 km) south of the park, is home to the New Mexico state capitol, museums, historic districts, art galleries, food, accomodations, and more. 

<h2>contact_info</h2>
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (505) 672-3861.

**Camping Fees.** Payment for reservations is due upon booking. You may pay
for first-come, first-serve campsites (Abert's Squirrel Loop) at the self-pay
kiosk in the campground or in-person at the Bandelier Visitor Center during
business hours.

**Entrance fees.**

  * Bandelier National Monument charges an entrance fee separate from camping fees. The park's entrance station is staffed most days during business hours. If unstaffed, you may pay the fee upon arrival at the automated fee machine at the Bandelier entrance station, at the Bandelier Visitor Center during business hours or purchase in advance. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page. 
  * Entrance passes or Federal Interagency Passes must be displayed in all vehicles while in the park.
  * Non-commercial group (scouts, church group, etc.) entrance fees, visit: Non-Commercial Groups at Bandelier
  * Commercial group entrance fees, visit: Commercial Tours at Bandelier

Restrooms with running water (no shower or laundry facilities in the park) are centrally located in all loops of Juniper Family Campground.

A tan brick building surrounded by juniper.

The campsites at Juniper Family Campground are open year-round. The landscape of Bandelier changes with seasons and provides reason to visit any time of year.

A canyon with trees changing color and mountains in the distance.

The Pueblo Loop Trail starts at the Bandelier Visitor Center and travels through the excavated archaeological sites found in Bandelier.

View into connecting caves

The Amphitheater located in Juniper Family Campground hosts interpretive programs presented by park rangers during the summer months. Check the Visitor Center for program schedule.

Amphitheater with brown benches and a tan building surrounded by pine trees

View into Frijoles Canyon overlooking the ancestral Puebloan village of Tyuonyi

View into Frijoles Canyon with archeological sites

Juniper Family Campground is home to two (2) group campsites that accommodate 10-20 campers each.

Brown wooden sign with "Group Site" engraved on it.

Bandelier contains over 70 miles of hiking trails, including the Falls Trail,  that explore the varied landscapes and ecosystems of the Pajarito Plateau.

A water fall flows between plant covered rock faces

Looking out of a canyon with a lone pine in the foreground and mountains in the distance.

Group campsites in Juniper Family Campground include picnic tables, grills, campfire ring, food lockers, and ample space for multiple tents.

Picnic tables and grills in an open clearing surrounded by juniper.

Wildlife is plentiful in Bandelier National Monument. Elk inhabit the higher elevations for much of the year but venture down in the winter months.

A bull elk with a cow

The Tyuonyi Overlook Trail and Frey Trail can be accessed from trailheads located in Juniper Family Campground.

Looking down on an archaeological site from a trail overlook

Rattlesnakes are common sightings during the warmer months of the years. Always watch were you step, sit, or pitch your tent!

Coiled rattlesnake resting head on rattle

The Bandelier Visitor Center, located in Frijoles Canyon, is part of the park's historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) District. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week and is home to museum exhibits and a short film. Park rangers are available to answer questions and provide trail recommendations. Ranger programs are offered during the summer months. The CCC District is also home to the park store, operated by Western National Parks Association, and Sirphey in the Canyon, a small locally owned cafe.

Rustic building with a sign that reads Visitor Center

Bears are found within Bandelier National Monument. Sightings are uncommon, but at times during the year, they will venture into developed areas of the park in search of food.  A bear box for food storage is provided at each campsite in Juniper Family Campground. Campers are required to secure all food and scented items while camping. Remember: Keep wildlife wild!

Black bear walks on a downed log

Juniper Family Campground is located just inside the main entrance to Bandelier National Monument and is a short drive (or hike) to the park visitor center and more than 70 miles of hiking trails.

Car parked among pine trees

Juniper Family campground has 49 individual campsites and two group campsites. Individual campsites are all available on a first-come first-served basis. Group campsites for groups of 10-30 people, may be reserved.

Pop-up trailer parked at a campsite

The Pueblo Loop Trail is home to the excavated archaeological sites within Bandelier National Monument. Park visitors are able to climb ladders and explore some of the archaeological sites.

Wooden ladder leading up to a cave

Bandelier National Monument is home to over 70 miles of hiking trails of varying distances and difficulties.

Hiking trail going through a stand of tress

A flowing waterfall

Juniper Campground (NM)

## Overview

*****Ponderosa Group Campground will be closed starting November 1, 2024 while
the park works to complete a major water line replacement/improvement project.
The closure is anticipated to last several months.*****

Ponderosa Group Campground is located 6 miles (9.7 km) from the park's main
entrance and is an ideal place to stay for large groups visiting Bandelier
National Monument. The campground is adjacent to Ponderosa Trailhead providing
access to more than 70 miles (113 km) of hiking trails and is just a short
drive from the Visitor Center, the Frijoles Canyon Shuttle System (mid-May to
mid-October), and the town of Los Alamos, Valles Caldera National Preserve,
Manhattan Project National Historic Site, and the Santa Fe National Forest.

Ponderosa Group Campground is open year-round (water is only available from
mid-May to mid-October). Same-day reservations are not permitted.

Frijoles Canyon and the park Visitor Center are accessible only by shuttle bus
from mid-May to mid-October. The shuttle bus system stops at the Bandelier
Visitor Center, Juniper Campground, and the White Rock Visitor Center in the
town of White Rock. Outside of the designated shuttle bus period, visitors may
access all park areas by private vehicle.

**Public events are prohibited at Ponderosa Campground. Private events that
adhere to campsite capacity limits, may be permitted after obtaining a special
use permit. Visit the park's****Permits & Reservations****web page or call
(505) 672-3861 ext. 1102.**

## Recreation

Accessible from Ponderosa Group Campground, the Ponderosa Trail descends into
the park through ponderosa pine forest and connects to many other trails
including the Middle Frijoles Trails which leads 8 miles (13 km) through
Frijoles Canyon to the Visitor Center and Main Loop Trail.

The Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information and ranger
programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and more.

Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by shuttle bus only from
mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by private vehicle outside
the shuttle bus period.  
  
Although rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, many
popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.

## Facilities

Accessible from Ponderosa Group Campground, the Ponderosa Trail descends into
the park through ponderosa pine forest and connects to many other trails
including the Middle Frijoles Trails which leads 8 miles (13 km) through
Frijoles Canyon to the Visitor Center and Main Loop Trail.

The Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information and ranger
programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and more.

Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by shuttle bus only from
mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by private vehicle outside
the shuttle bus period.  
  
Although rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, many
popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.

## Natural Features

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres (13,355 ha) of rugged,
beautiful canyon and mesa country which features evidence of human presence
going back over 11,000 years. 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.

Bandelier National Monument sits at the southern end of the Pajarito (Spanish
for "little bird") Plateau. The plateau was formed by two eruptions 1.6 and
1.4 million years ago. Home to the Bandelier Wilderness, Bandelier ranges from
5340 feet (1628 m) at the Rio Grande River to the south and 10,199 feet (3109
m) at the summit of Cerro Grande to the north, almost a mile (1.6 km) of
elevation change in just under 12 miles (19 km). This elevation gradient
creates a unique diversity of habitats specific to Northern New Mexico. The
diversity of habitats and quick access to water supported a relatively large
population of Ancestral Pueblo people. Currently, Piñon-Juniper woodlands
dominate in the southern parts of the park transitioning through ponderosa
pine savannahs and forests, finally reaching mixed conifer forests at the
highest elevation. Scattered throughout the park are desert grasslands,
montane meadows, and riparian areas in the canyon bottoms. Over 70 miles (113
km) of trails at Bandelier climb in and out of deep canyons and cross large
flat mesas, showcasing the entire spectrum of volcanic geology and ecosystems
found within the park.  
  
The park is home to over 55 species of mammals including mule deer, Abert's
squirrels, mountain lions, black bears, and 16 species of bats. Reptiles and
amphibians of all shapes and sizes can be seen. Birds such as Steller's jays,
canyon towhees and mountain chickadees stay year-round, whereas turkey
vultures, western tanagers, and black-headed grosbeaks are summer residents.

## Nearby Attractions

The town of Los Alamos has shopping, museums, amenities, a movie theater, ice
rink, ski hill, and is home to the Los Alamos unit of Manhattan Project
National Historic Site.

Nearby Department of Energy and US Forest Service lands provide trails which
accommodate pets.

Valles Caldera National Preserve is 16 miles (26 km) west of Bandelier.

Jemez Historic Site is 37 miles (60 km) west.

Pecos National Historical Park is 70 miles (113 km) southeast.

Santa Fe, 40 miles (64 km) south of the park, is home to the New Mexico state
capitol, museums, historic districts, art galleries, food, accomodations, and
more.

<h2>Overview</h2>
***Ponderosa Group Campground will be closed starting November 1, 2024 while the park works to complete a major water line replacement/improvement project. The closure is anticipated to last several months.***
 
Ponderosa Group Campground is located 6 miles (9.7 km) from the park's main entrance and is an ideal place to stay for large groups visiting Bandelier National Monument. The campground is adjacent to Ponderosa Trailhead providing access to more than 70 miles (113 km) of hiking trails and is just a short drive from the Visitor Center, the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/shuttle.htm" rel="nofollow">Frijoles Canyon Shuttle System</a> (mid-May to mid-October), and the town of Los Alamos, Valles Caldera National Preserve, Manhattan Project National Historic Site, and the Santa Fe National Forest. 
Ponderosa Group Campground is open year-round (water is only available from mid-May to mid-October). Same-day reservations are not permitted.  
Frijoles Canyon and the park Visitor Center are accessible only by shuttle bus from mid-May to mid-October. The shuttle bus system stops at the Bandelier Visitor Center, Juniper Campground, and the White Rock Visitor Center in the town of White Rock. Outside of the designated shuttle bus period, visitors may access all park areas by private vehicle. 
Public events are prohibited at Ponderosa Campground. Private events that adhere to campsite capacity limits, may be permitted after obtaining a special use permit. Visit the park's <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/permitsandreserevations.htm" rel="nofollow">Permits & Reservations</a> web page or call (505) 672-3861 ext. 1102.
<h2>Recreation</h2>
Accessible from Ponderosa Group Campground, the Ponderosa Trail descends into the park through ponderosa pine forest and connects to many <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/short-trails.htm" rel="nofollow">other trails</a> including the Middle Frijoles Trails which leads 8 miles (13 km) through Frijoles Canyon to the Visitor Center and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/pueblo-loop-trail.htm" rel="nofollow">Main Loop Trail.</a>  

The Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information and ranger programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and more. 
Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/shuttle.htm" rel="nofollow">shuttle bus</a> only from mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by private vehicle outside the shuttle bus period. Although rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, many popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.
<h2>Facilities</h2>
Accessible from Ponderosa Group Campground, the Ponderosa Trail descends into the park through ponderosa pine forest and connects to many <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/short-trails.htm" rel="nofollow">other trails</a> including the Middle Frijoles Trails which leads 8 miles (13 km) through Frijoles Canyon to the Visitor Center and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/pueblo-loop-trail.htm" rel="nofollow">Main Loop Trail.</a>  

The Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, park film, information and ranger programs, Western National Parks Association sales outlet, and more. 
Entrance to Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center is by <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/shuttle.htm" rel="nofollow">shuttle bus</a> only from mid-May to mid-October. These areas are accesibile by private vehicle outside the shuttle bus period. Although rock climbing is prohibited within Bandelier National Monument, many popular climbs are within a short drive up Route 4 into the Jemez Mountains.
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres (13,355 ha) of rugged, beautiful canyon and mesa country which features evidence of human presence going back over 11,000 years. 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.  
Bandelier National Monument sits at the southern end of the Pajarito (Spanish for "little bird") Plateau. The plateau was formed by two eruptions 1.6 and 1.4 million years ago. Home to the Bandelier Wilderness, Bandelier ranges from 5340 feet (1628 m) at the Rio Grande River to the south and 10,199 feet (3109 m) at the summit of Cerro Grande to the north, almost a mile (1.6 km) of elevation change in just under 12 miles (19 km). This elevation gradient creates a unique diversity of habitats specific to Northern New Mexico. The diversity of habitats and quick access to water supported a relatively large population of Ancestral Pueblo people. Currently, Piñon-Juniper woodlands dominate in the southern parts of the park transitioning through ponderosa pine savannahs and forests, finally reaching mixed conifer forests at the highest elevation. Scattered throughout the park are desert grasslands, montane meadows, and riparian areas in the canyon bottoms. Over 70 miles (113 km) of trails at Bandelier climb in and out of deep canyons and cross large flat mesas, showcasing the entire spectrum of volcanic geology and ecosystems found within the park. The park is home to over 55 species of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/nature/mammals.htm" rel="nofollow">mammals</a> including mule deer, Abert's squirrels, mountain lions, black bears, and 16 species of bats. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/nature/reptiles.htm" rel="nofollow">Reptiles</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/nature/amphibians.htm" rel="nofollow">amphibians</a> of all shapes and sizes can be seen. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/nature/birds.htm" rel="nofollow">Birds</a> such as Steller's jays, canyon towhees and mountain chickadees stay year-round, whereas turkey vultures, western tanagers, and black-headed grosbeaks are summer residents.

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The town of Los Alamos has shopping, museums, amenities, a movie theater, ice rink, ski hill, and is home to the Los Alamos unit of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mapr/los-alamos.htm" rel="nofollow">Manhattan Project National Historic Site.</a>  
Nearby Department of Energy and US Forest Service lands provide trails which accommodate pets.
<a href="https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.htm" rel="nofollow">Valles Caldera National Preserve</a> is 16 miles (26 km) west of Bandelier. 
<a href="https://nmhistoricsites.org/jemez" rel="nofollow">Jemez Historic Site</a> is 37 miles (60 km) west.
<a href="https://www.nps.gov/peco/index.htm" rel="nofollow">Pecos National Historical Park</a> is 70 miles (113 km) southeast. 
Santa Fe, 40 miles (64 km) south of the park, is home to the New Mexico state capitol, museums, historic districts, art galleries, food, accomodations, and more.

**Camping Fees.** Payment for reservations is due upon booking. You may pay
for first-come, first-serve campsites (loop A) at the self-pay kiosk in the
campground or in-person at the Bandelier Visitor Center during business hours.

**Entrance fees.**

  * Bandelier National Monument charges an entrance fee separate from camping fees. You may pay the fee upon arrival at the Automated Fee Machine at the Bandelier Entrance Station, at the Bandelier Visitor Center during business hours or purchase in advance. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page. 
  * Entrance passes or Federal Interagency Passes must be displayed in all vehicles while in the park.
  * Non-commercial group (scouts, church group, etc.) entrance fees, visit: Non-Commercial Groups at Bandelier 
  * Commercial group entrance fees, visit: Commercial Tours at Bandelier

Ponderosa Group Campground sits among ponderosa pines which provide shade for group campers. Campsites can accommodate 10-50 campers each.

Picnic tables among pine trees

Rio Grande River at Bandelier National Monument

River flowing through a canyon with mountains in the distance

View from Upper Crossing. Bandelier is home to over 70 miles of trails, much of which is accessible from the trailhead located at Ponderosa Group Campground

View of a tree covered mountainside with the peak obscured by fog

Campsites at Ponderosa Group Campground include covered cooking shelters with grills and picnic tables.

Covered shelters sit surrounded by tall pines

Ponderosa Group Campground is a short drive from other park trailheads where hikers can experience the high-country at Bandelier.

Mountain meadow with blooming flowers and scattered pines

Ponderosa Group Campground is home to two group campsites that can accommodate 10-50 campers each and can be reserved.

Brown sign for Ponderosa Group Campground with a road and pine trees in the background

Vault toilets are available to campers at Ponderosa Group Campground. No running water in restrooms or shower facilities are available.

Vault toilets in front of tall pines

Ladders along the Main Loop Trail allow visitors to explore the cliff dwellings of the ancestral Pueblo people that called Bandelier home.

Wood ladder going into a cavate with snow in the foreground

Ponderosa Group Campground (NM)

Bandelier National Monument

The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is a remarkable outdoor
laboratory, offering an opportunity to observe, study, and experience the
geologic processes that shape natural landscapes. The National Monument, on
the Pajarito Plateau in north-central New Mexico, includes a national
recreation trail and ranges from 5,570 feet to 6,760 feet above sea level. It
is for foot travel only, and contains two segments that provide opportunities
for hiking, birdwatching, geologic observation, and plant identification.  
  
The cone-shaped tent rock formations are the products of volcanic eruptions
that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago and left pumice, ash, and tuff deposits
over 1,000 feet thick. Tremendous explosions from the Jemez volcanic field
spewed pyroclasts (rock fragments), while searing hot gases blasted down
slopes in an incandescent avalanche called a pyroclastic flow.  
  
Precariously perched on many of the tapering hoodoos are boulder caps that
protect the softer pumice and tuff below. Some tents have lost their hard,
resistant caprocks, and are disintegrating. While fairly uniform in shape, the
tent rock formations vary in height from a few feet up to 90 feet.  
  
Please note that dogs are not allowed in the Monument.

The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is a remarkable outdoor laboratory, offering an opportunity to observe, study, and experience the geologic processes that shape natural landscapes. The National Monument, on the Pajarito Plateau in north-central New Mexico, includes a national recreation trail and ranges from 5,570 feet to 6,760 feet above sea level. It is for foot travel only, and contains two segments that provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, geologic observation, and plant identification. 
 
The cone-shaped tent rock formations are the products of volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago and left pumice, ash, and tuff deposits over 1,000 feet thick. Tremendous explosions from the Jemez volcanic field spewed pyroclasts (rock fragments), while searing hot gases blasted down slopes in an incandescent avalanche called a pyroclastic flow. 
 
Precariously perched on many of the tapering hoodoos are boulder caps that protect the softer pumice and tuff below. Some tents have lost their hard, resistant caprocks, and are disintegrating. While fairly uniform in shape, the tent rock formations vary in height from a few feet up to 90 feet. 
 
Please note that dogs are not allowed in the Monument.

Valles Caldera National Preserve

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Fenton Lake State Park

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Bandelier National Monument

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument