Best Hikes in Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico

Bandelier National Monument is located in northern New Mexico, about 15 miles south of Los Alamos and 44 miles west of Santa Fe. In addition to ancient ruins and cave dwellings, there are numerous trails here that showcase the monument’s diverse landscape. Read on to discover the top hikes in Bandelier National Monument so that you come fully prepared to make the most of your visit!

The best part?

The one unique thing about hiking in Bandelier National Monument is that out of all trails within the main area of the monument, no two are alike.

All trails are completely unique in what they offer which makes choosing YOUR best hikes in Bandelier National Monument super easy. Just go with whatever rocks your boat – easy stroll, adventure, archeological sites, scenic views, safety in numbers or solitude?

Key facts about hiking in Bandelier National Monument

• There are over 70 miles of trails in Bandelier National Monument, ranging from easy walking paths to multi-day treks (permits free but required). That said, the main area of the monument – Frijoles Canyon – is relatively small in comparison with other national parks, so you can see much of what Bandelier has to offer while staying relatively close to the visitor center.

• Parking in Bandelier National Monument is extremely limited. Depending on the timing of your visit, you may be required to take a FREE shuttle to the main area of the monument/visitor center (Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center). This typically applies mid-May to mid-October for visitors arriving between 9 AM – 3 PM. You can board the shuttle at the White Rock Visitor Center outside of the park in White Rock (a 25-minute ride), or at Bandelier’s Juniper Campground (about a 10-minute ride).

Best hikes in Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico

(This list is based on no particular order. I simply credit each hike for where it outperforms the others.)

Pueblo Loop Trail (Main Loop Trail)

Type: Loop
Distance: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy (with stairs)
Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Trailhead: Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center

In my opinion, no visit of Bandelier National Monument should be complete without hitting the park’s Pueblo Loop Trail (formerly known as the Main Loop Trail). This is the main attraction of the monument and the most popular trail that takes you along remnants of an ancient metropolis and showcases the legacy and spirit of the Ancestral Pueblo people that once inhabited this land (roughly between 1150 and 1550 A.D.).

This is, by far, the best hike in Bandelier National Monument to learn about the history of the park. If you only have time for one hike in the monument, I suggest making this one your priority. (Don’t forget to pick up a trail guide at the visitor center. The choice is yours to either purchase or borrow one.)

This hike is a great option for someone that normally doesn’t hike, but isn’t suitable for those with limited mobility. The surface is mostly paved and flat, but a portion that skirts some of the cliff dwellings does require navigating stone stairways and narrow walkways.

You have the option to skip the more challenging parts, although this means that you will ultimately miss out on several highlights of this trail.

Alcove House Trail

Type: Out-and-back
Distance: 1-2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Trailhead: Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center

The Alcove House Trail is NOT your average national park hike!

If you’re looking for something unique in comparison with the U.S. national park hiking standards, this will easily be your best hike in Bandelier National Monument. The Alcove House Trail takes you on a short adventure to Ceremonial Cave, and it will get your heart pumping, guaranteed!

You can either start this hike near the visitor center, or take it as an extension to the Pueblo Loop Trail (Main Loop Trail) – see the map at the end of this post for details. The second option will save you time. When combined, it’s only about 1 extra mile in addition to the loop trail.

This Bandelier hike consists of a pleasant walk through a pine forest with minimal elevation gain, except for the very end where you’ll get a rare chance to climb on a series of wooden ladders to Alcove House.

Frey Trail

Type: Out-and-back
Distance: 1.5 miles one way
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1.5 hours
Trailhead: (1) Juniper Campground; (2) Pueblo Loop Trail

The Frey Trail extends between the park’s campground (Juniper Campground) and the heart of Bandelier National Monument where it connects with the Pueblo Loop Trail (Main Loop Trail). This would be the best hike in Bandelier National Monument for anyone looking for solitude. You won’t see very many faces on this hike.

The best way to tackle the Frey Trail is to start at the Juniper Campground (the shuttle bus makes a stop here) and hike down into the canyon where the trail joins the Pueblo Loop Trail (Main Loop Trail). Then, take the shuttle back up. On the other hand, if you want a really good workout, start at the bottom instead and work your way up to the campground, or hike both ways. The steep steady climb out of the canyon will make you sweat out of pores you never thought you had.

BEWARE: The Frail Trail is a very exposed hike. There is practically no shade on this trail, at least not until you get to the edge of the canyon, so this hike can feel looong even when you take the easy way out by starting at the campground. Once you get to the rim and the trail switchbacks down to the canyon floor, things get much better though. You’ll find spotty shade, and spotty shade can make a world of difference here in Frijoles Canyon.

That said, the Frey Trail has some great vantage points, including a bird’s-eye view of Tyuonyi that you won’t get anywhere else in the park. If you’d love to see Tyuonyi from up above but don’t want to commit to this hike in its entirety, hit the Frey Trail at the junction with the Pueblo Loop Trail (Main Loop Trail) and switchback up to the point with desired views. Then, backtrack to the Pueblo Loop Trail. (See the map at the bottom of the post for details.)

Related: El Santuario de Chimayó: A Healing Shrine in New Mexico

Falls Trail

Type: Out-and-back
Distance: 2.9 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1.5 hours
Trailhead: Parking lot near the Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center

The Falls Trail is the only Bandelier hike with NO archeological sightings along the way. It brings you to a waterfall viewpoint instead.

I’d vote this trail one of the best hikes in Bandelier National Monument if your goal is to take a nature walk within the main section of the monument. Currently, and possibly permanently, only the first segment is accessible – the Upper Falls Trail (at one point the trail extended all the way to the Rio Grande River).

The Falls Trail is exposed initially, before winding into a heavily shaded forest. It’s moderately trafficked at peak times but attracts noticeably less crowds than the Pueblo Loop Trail or the Alcove House Trail. There are steep drop-offs towards the end to watch out for.

Tsankawi Ruins Trail

Type: Loop
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Trailhead: Tsankawi

The Tsankawi Ruins Trail is located in a detached section of Bandelier National Monument. This trail can’t be accessed from Bandelier’s visitor center, or via the park’s shuttle. You’ll have to drive here, but in my opinion you absolutely should!

This would be one of the best hikes in Bandelier National Monument for the wow factor. Being remote, it’s also a fairly low-trafficked hike.

This unique Bandelier National Monument hike follows a centuries-old path and features unexcavated ruins and genuine ancient artifacts. It feels real and raw in Tsankawi, and uniquely peaceful. Plus the views are just spectacular.

You’ll want to come prepared though – here is more information for the Tsankawi Ruins Trail with several helpful FYIs.

One last recap of the best Bandelier hikes:

• Pueblo (Main) Loop Trail (educational)
• Alcove House Trail (adventurous)
• Frey Trail (peaceful but exposed)
• Falls Trail (waterfall views)
• Tsankawi Ruins Trail (remote and serene)

Best time to visit Bandelier National Monument

Below is the average year-round weather for Bandelier National Monument, with the peak season (shuttle in service) highlighted.

Spring and fall are the most popular times to visit Bandelier National Monument, but the park can be busy from May to October. Spring break weeks (mid-March to mid-April) are also busy times in Bandelier. In the summer during July and August, afternoon storms are common.

Know before you go:

• Bandelier National Monument is part of the National Park Service and charges a fee to enter. The auto pass costs $25.00 and is valid for 7 consecutive days, and the annual America the Beautiful Pass is accepted.

• Bandelier National Monument is open every day from from sunrise to sunset. 

• Occasionally, some of the hiking trails can be closed due to maintenance, repairs, or safety issues. Check the monument’s website for updated information about the shuttle service and any trail closures.

• Pet policy: dogs, or pets of any kind, are not allowed in buildings or on trails in Bandelier National Monument (with the exception of service animals). Pets are allowed in parking areas and the campground.

• If you have time, make sure to stop by the visitor center – there is a small museum inside and a neat gift shop with lots of interesting books on the history of the location. The operating hours vary throughout the year.

We hope this list of our top hikes in bandelier national monument helps you with your trail selections!

(+ You can find more of our favorite hikes in U.S. national parks here.)