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Neighborhood: Located near Los Alamos, NM Phone: Visitor Center daytime phone (505) 672-3861 x 517 Visitor Information (recorded) (505) 672-0343 Group reservations (505) 672-3861 x 534

Best known for mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and the ancestral Pueblo dwellings found among them, Bandelier also includes over 23,000 acres of designated Wilderness. It was named for Adolph Bandelier, a 19th-century anthropologist. Proclaimed on February 11, 1916. Acreage: 32,737, all federal. Wilderness area: 23,267.

Hours by Seasons: Summer: Visitor Center, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Winter: Visitor Center, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Spring/Fall: Visitor Center, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Frijoles Canyon and Tsankawi: dawn to dusk. Closed December 25, January 1.

Getting There: CAR - Visitors traveling North-South on I-25 take St Francis/84/285 exit for Santa Fe, go straight through city, then follow signs to Bandelier at each major junction.Beautiful alternative route for those going north on I25: at Bernalillo, take exit for 550 (formerly 44). At San Ysidro take exit to NM 4; continue over the mountains to park entrance (good paved road, but may not be advisable in winter weather)

Weather & Climate: Sunny and dry, with thunderstorms in mid-late summer months. Frost and chance of snow storms from October through May. Wear layered comfortable sportswear type clothing appropriate for season, with sturdy walking shoes. The elevation in Frijoles Canyon is 6,000 feet and can cause breathing difficulties for some people visiting from lower elevations.

Accessibility: Visitor Center not to standards but accessible. Visitor Center restrooms not up to standard but accessible. First quarter mile of Main Loop Trail accessible. Orientation slide show captioned. Two tactile tables available. Main Loop Trail guides available in large print and Braille.

Getting Around: Paved road leads from entrance to campground, visitor center, and picnic area. Approximately 70 miles of back country trails available for day or overnight foot travel.

Admission: Bandelier has various types of Park fees. For a complete list, click here.

Special Programs: Craft-making demonstrations by local Native Americans are presented on weekends throughout summer months. Evening programs are presented in the campground amphitheater during summer months.

Exhibits: The Visitor Center in Frijoles Canyon has exhibits on prehistoric and historic Pueblo culture. Rangers are on duty to provide information on monument as well as nearby attractions. A special exhibit on the Civilian Conservation Corps opened in April 2003.

Available Facilities: Trails to the nearby archeological sites as well as longer ones into the backcouuntry begin near the Visitor Center; please remember that pets are not permitted on trails or in buildings and must be on leash where allowed. Information, guidebooks, an orientation slide show, and Wilderness permits are available at the Visitor Center, and also a bookstore operated by Western National Parks (formerly Southwest Parks and Monuments) Association. Concessioner-operated gift shop and snack bar, (phone: 505-672-9791) also open year-round, are nearby, as well as a picnic area and restrooms.