Things to Do in Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument is a national monument spanning over 33,000 acres of rugged canyon and mesa country in New Mexico. Its landscape features broad mesas, steep-walled canyons, and dramatic cliffs formed by ancient volcanic eruptions of the Pajarito Plateau. Elevations within Bandelier National Monument range from approximately 5,000 feet along the Rio Grande to over 10,000 feet at Cerro Grande, offering diverse terrain suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, jogging, road cycling, and more.
Things to Do in…
80
Routes
4.6
(87)
Average rating
877
People visited
5.0
(2)
40
hikers
3.36km
00:54
40m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
1.0
(1)
9
hikers
7.79km
02:07
100m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
hikers
8.02km
02:57
250m
280m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
1
hikers
2.81km
00:49
20m
180m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
5.0
(3)
20
riders
50.9km
02:33
710m
720m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
9
riders
51.6km
02:46
980m
980m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
22.8km
01:11
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
12
riders
50.4km
02:36
750m
750m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
4
riders
47.7km
03:07
680m
670m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
18.4km
01:29
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
riders
23.0km
01:32
380m
380m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
12.7km
00:53
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
4
riders
10.6km
00:45
620m
620m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
5.0
(3)
2
riders
12.8km
01:17
270m
270m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
4
riders
10.5km
01:10
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
10.2km
00:56
130m
130m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
4
runners
24.4km
03:20
700m
690m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
2
runners
2.89km
00:22
50m
50m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
runners
5.48km
00:43
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
runners
21.2km
02:31
440m
440m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
5.0
(1)
7
riders
49.9km
04:13
480m
480m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
35.8km
03:02
380m
380m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
1
riders
42.9km
04:10
860m
860m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Top attractions in the region
Explore the region
Most popular attractions in Bandelier National Monument
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available at Bandelier National Monument?
Bandelier National Monument offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Jogging, and Road cycling. The monument features over 70 miles (110 km) of trails and more than 3 miles (5 km) of roads for exploration. There are over 40 routes available, with an average rating of 4.6 stars from komoot users.
What are the most popular hiking trails in Bandelier National Monument?
Popular hiking options include the 1.2-mile Main Loop Trail (Pueblo Loop Trail) which provides access to ancient homes in Frijoles Canyon. More strenuous routes include the 2.5-mile Frijolito Loop Trail and longer hikes like the Frijoles Canyon and Rim Trail. For more information, see the Hiking in Bandelier National Monument guide.
Are there mountain biking trails in Bandelier National Monument?
Bandelier National Monument and its surrounding areas offer several mountain biking routes. Options include the 11.4-mile American Springs Loop, the 34.3-mile Cerro Piñon – View of Redondo Peak loop, and the 14.3-mile South Mesa loop. Find more details in the MTB Trails in Bandelier National Monument guide.
What road cycling routes are available in Bandelier National Monument?
Road cyclists can explore several routes within and around Bandelier National Monument. The 7.9-mile Canyon Rim Loop offers an easier touring option. Other routes include the 29.7-mile Juniper Campground loop. Refer to the Road Cycling Routes in Bandelier National Monument guide for more information.
Are there easy or family-friendly hikes in Bandelier National Monument?
Yes, Bandelier National Monument offers easy footpaths suitable for families. The 1.2-mile Main Loop Trail (Pueblo Loop Trail) is partially handicapped accessible and provides access to ancient dwellings. Explore more options in the Easy hikes in Bandelier National Monument and Family-friendly hikes in Bandelier National Monument guides.
What historical sites can be explored at Bandelier National Monument?
Bandelier National Monument preserves an extraordinary concentration of Ancestral Pueblo archaeological sites. Visitors can explore dwellings carved into soft rock cliffs (cavates), standing masonry walls, villages, ceremonial kivas, petroglyphs, and pictographs. Some ancient dwellings allow visitors to climb ladders for a closer look.
Are dogs allowed on trails in Bandelier National Monument?
The monument has specific regulations regarding pets. Dogs are generally permitted in developed areas like parking lots and on paved trails, but restrictions apply to archaeological sites and backcountry trails. Visitors should check the official park website for the most current pet policy.
What is the elevation range at Bandelier National Monument?
Elevations within Bandelier National Monument range significantly. The lowest points are approximately 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) along the Rio Grande. The highest point is over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) at the peak of Cerro Grande on the rim of the Valles Caldera.
What komoot guides are available for Bandelier National Monument?
Komoot offers several guides for Bandelier National Monument, including Hiking in Bandelier National Monument, MTB Trails in Bandelier National Monument, and Road Cycling Routes in Bandelier National Monument. There are also guides for easy hikes, family-friendly hikes, and running trails.
How many routes are available on komoot for Bandelier National Monument?
Komoot features 41 routes for Bandelier National Monument across various sports. These routes have been explored by more than 4,000 visitors and hold an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
What is the official website and phone number for Bandelier National Monument?
The official website for Bandelier National Monument is nps.gov/band. For direct inquiries, the phone number is (505) 672-3861 x 0.
Get inspired with the komoot mobile app
