Bandelier National Monument
Consider a trip to Bandelier National Monument if you’re looking for fun things to do in New Mexico that will get you out of the hotel and into the fresh air. The Bandelier National Monument, dating back to 1150 CE, is a large, beautiful landscape that showcases New Mexico's rugged natural wilderness. It's also one of the best places to see historical relics from the ancestral Pueblo tribes who lived, hunted, and built structures for thousands of years in the area.
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, including hiking and camping. The Main Loop Trail, also known as the Pueblo Loop Trail, is a 45-minute to 1-hour walk that takes you along paved and pebbled paths and up a few flights of stairs. On this hike through the Frijoles Canyon, you'll pass excavated archeological sites, cliffside dwellings, and incredible canyon walls, all while discovering small alcoves and beautiful wildlife.
When you reach the halfway point of the Main Loop Trail, you must choose whether to continue the loop round and return to the visitors center or to take the Alcove Trail. The Alcove Trail, also known as the Ceremonial Cave, rises 140 feet above Frijoles Canyon. The cave was once home to 25 Ancestral Pueblo people, and you can now reach it thanks to 4 wooden ladders and numerous stone stairs.
If you’re interested in Native American history, check out the masonry dwellings with their petroglyphs etched into the walls. You’ll never feel closer to the Pueblo people than when you’re standing on the same stones and touching the same carvings. There are also ample opportunities for sightseeing on high ridges and within rocky caverns.
- Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0/5
- Area: 120 km²
- Admission: The entrance fee is $25 per car
- Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Address: 15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544
