The visitor center in Frijoles Canyon offers a multimedia show on the monument, and there is a small gallery containing artifacts of archaeological, historical and cultural interest. However, most of the attractions of the main area are outdoors. A one-mile (1.6-km) loop trail leads to a variety of restored ruins of lodgings and ceremonial kivas on the canyon's floor and north wall, with interpretive signs en route and numbered references to an explanatory pamphlet available by purchase or returnable with deposit at the visitor center. Much of this trail is paved and accessible to wheelchairs, but the section along the canyon wall is rougher and includes stairs. Wooden ladders afford (optional) access to some of the cliff dwellings created by ancient Puebloans who enlarged natural voids ("caves," although the structures have nothing to do with classical limestone caves) in the soft tuff of the canyon wall. (Note that restoration work is active at these sites during the summer of 2006, and ladders have been removed from some of these dwellings.)
A hiking option going to or from the cliff dwellings is the nature trail along the Rito de los Frijoles, the small creek in the canyon's bottom; this is posted with interpretive signs describing the plant and animal life along the trail. This nature trail is heavily shaded, surrounded by greenery, and very close to the creek, creating an oasis-like atmosphere for anyone tired of sun-bleached sand and rock.
A short extension beyond the loop trail leads to Alcove House, formerly known as Ceremonial Cave (and still so called on some older maps and guides), a large shelter cave some 300 feet (100 meters) above the canyon floor. A series of sturdy wooden ladders bolted into the lava rock connect the cave to the valley floor. The ladder rungs can become uncomfortably hot in the sun, and leather-gripped work gloves can make the trip more comfortable. Visitors can climb 140 feet up to the floor of the cave. They can then climb down into a reconstructed kiva that was built inside the cave. Sufferers from acrophobia would best avoid making the ascent, as would anyone suffering from health problems that would interfere with using the ladders or with the exertion necessary to make the climb. Small children may suddenly discover their inner acrophobic to the dismay of all other climbers. Portions of the ascent are along level grooves in the lava rock permitting only one person at a time to move. There are several rest stops on the ascent where climbers can sit to catch their breath in the thin air. Much of the cave is shaded due to overhanging rock walls. The trail beyond Alcove Cave becomes increasingly rough and leads into the backcountry (see next section).
The canyon bottom near the visitor center is a suitable location for picnics, with parking, picnic tables, and toilets. Parking spots in the picnic area to the northwest of the visitors center are sometimes the last to be filled during peak visitation times. The picnic area can be quite crowded during peak season (summer), as can the interpretive trail. Visiting during the off season can reduce the crowds significantly. Frijoles Canyon is particularly pleasant during the fall, when the crowds are reduced, temperatures are moderate, and neither the high winds of spring nor the monsoonal rains of late summer are likely to interfere with the visitor's enjoyment; however, the area is open, and usually easily accessible, during daylight hours year-round, except for Christmas and New Years. Visitors are expected to be off the interpretive trail and out of the visitors' area by dusk, except for special events.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Bandelier National Monument
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Bandelier National Monument - updated May 2024
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Bandelier National Monument Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
