Alcove House Trail (Bandelier National Monument, NM)

While Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico is a fascinating place and a great opportunity to learn about the Ancestral Pueblo culture, the Alcove House Trail in Bandelier National Monument goes the extra mile. I mean, the extra 140 feet to be exact!

Alcove House Trail – Bandelier National Monument

Type: Out-and-back
Distance: 1-2 miles (round trip)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate*
Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Trailhead: (1) Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center; (2) Pueblo Loop Trail
Dog-friendly: No
Trail map: View map
Fee: Yes (U.S. National Park Service entrance fee)

*The majority of the Alcove House trail consists of an easy stroll, but at the end of the hike you’ll encounter an OPTIONAL long climb on a series of steep wooden ladders.

The trailhead for the Alcove House Trail is located just a quarter of a mile west of the visitor center, but you can also access the trail via the Pueblo Loop Trail (formerly Main Loop Trail). Combining the two hikes saves you time without missing any parts of either of the trails.

Total distance will depend on where you start this hike:

• If you begin your hike at the visitor center, it’s roughly 2 miles (round trip). The hike starts out on a paved road and turns into a dirt path about a quarter of a mile later.
• When combined with the Pueblo Loop Trail, it’s an extra 1 mile on top of the 1.4-mile loop. You’ll come across the trailhead for the Alcove House Trail about halfway through the loop, shortly after crossing Frijoles Creek.

No matter at which point you start this hike, you’ll spend the majority of your time in a breezy woodland.

The forest has suffered significant fire and flood damage in the past, so you’ll probably see lots of downed trees. It’s still a beautiful walk nonetheless, with rich ponderosa pine scent lingering in the air and enough shade to make you comfortable even in the hot summer months.

After crossing Frijoles Creek several times on this hike, you’ll find yourself standing at the base of the climb to the highlight of this trail – Alcove House, also known as Ceremonial Cave.

The Alcove House Trail is not for the faint of heart…

In order to reach Alcove House, you’ll need to navigate narrow walkways, climb a series of 4 steep ladders, and scramble up stone stairs (I lost count), a total of 140 feet above the canyon floor.

This is where the difficulty level of the trail changes drastically and also where the real fun starts!

I’ll be honest with you. I felt a tiny bit of trepidation as I stood beneath the Alcove House climb with my kids prancing around. A bunch of ginormous ladders going up 140 feet with spotty drop-offs vs. the clumsy little hands and feet of my kids that happen to be so easily distracted? Oh look, a cloud! Where!?!

Like, what was I thinking?!?

Turns out, kids have no fear and the higher, the better.

In reality, I was the only one clenching the ladder.

Once you tackle all the steps and rungs en route, you’ll find a large alcove – the perfect spot for a break and some well-deserved shade. Unlike the forest walk, the climb is fully exposed.

This alcove was once home to about 25 Ancestral Pueblo people. A few dwellings are left here, complete with viga holes and niches of several former homes.

You’ll also find a restored kiva here as well.

The kiva in Alcove House is normally open to the public and was accessible the last time we visited (which feels like 300 years ago given my lack of fear of heights back then) but turned out to be closed this time around due to structure stabilization concerns and repairs to be done.

But the views from up there?

AH-mazing!

Be careful going back down… if you’re an adult, haha. The descent feels about 10 times worse than going up. Finding the kid in you helps.

Know before you go:

• The Alcove House Trail in Bandelier National Monument is suitable for kids as long as they’re able to climb ladders without assistance and are closely supervised. This is nothing but a giant playground to kids.

• The climb on the ladders is entirely optional. Skipping the climb to the alcove does not affect your ability to return back to the trailhead.

• Due to its uniqueness, this is a popular trail in New Mexico. If you’re visiting during the busier times (generally late spring to early fall and especially over the weekend), your chances of avoiding larger crowds are best during early mornings and late afternoons.

• During the winter months, the ladder section of the Alcove House Trail may not be open. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions of the trail.

• If you’re not afraid of heights and think this hike has your name written all over it… I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Tsankawi Ruins Trail as well – a similarly unique hike in Bandelier National Monument that’s tucked away a little but 100% worth finding!

More resources for visiting Bandelier National Monument:

• Best Hikes in Bandelier National Monument
• Pueblo Loop Trail (Bandelier National Monument, NM)
• Falls Trail (Bandelier National Monument, NM)