Bandelier Cliff Dwellings Hike
In Los Alamos Region
Map File Source:
Last Updated: 06/15/2023 8:09am
Last Updated By: Marilyn Warrant
Hike Class: A (Easy)
Hike Distance: 3.9 mi
Minimum Elevation: 6106 ft
Elevation Change: 160 ft
Total Uphill: 0 ft
Total Downhill: 0 ft
Avg. Grade: %
Route Type: InOut
On Trail: Yes
Paved or Gravel Roads: Yes
GPS Advised: No
Drive Distance Round Trip: 200 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 2:15
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
New Mexico Game Unit: 6C
Hike Status: Place Holder
Highlights
Cliff dwellings and kivas
CautionsFrom the middle of May to the middle of October you are required to take a bus from White Rock after 9:00 AM. For any questions call: 505-672-3861
Trailhead Directions
Take I-25 north to exit 276B for NM 599 Santa Fe Bypass. Turn left for US 84/285 north to Pajoaque then SR-502 NW to SR-4 south through White Rock. Follow signs to Bandelier and turn left after milepost 56. For the return trip try SR-4 west through Valle Grande and watch for elk there. Continue through La Cueva, Jemez Springs, and San Ysidro, then follow US-550 east into Bernalillo to I-25 south.
Actual Hike
From parking, take the trail north, then TURN RT1 (0.3 mi) uphill to the cliff dwellings, the LONG HOUSE (0.8 mi), and the PICTOGRAPHS and petroglyphs (0.9 mi). Proceed westerly over a FOOT BRIDGE (1.0 mi), then TURN RT2 (1.0 mi) to go to the ALCOVE HOUSE (1.6 mi). If desired, climb the 4 wooden ladders and a number of stone stairs for the 140 step ascent to the cliff dwelling and reconstructed kiva. Follow the trail south back to the Visitor Center.
Comments
The Visitor Center has a museum, maps, picnic tables and a snack bar. This hike has much early Indian history and restored dwellings.
Bring your Senior Pass (Golden Age passport). Buy or borrow a Trail Guide at the center to identify numbered posts on the trail.
WaypointsSTART: N35 46.726 W106 16.203
RT TURN: N35 46.955 W106 16.399
LONG HOUSE: N35 47.039 W106 16.570
PICTOGRAPH: N35 47.073 W106 16.604
FOOT BRIDGE: N35 47.055 W106 16.664
RT TURN 2: N35 47.024 W106 16.684
ALCOVE HOUSE: N35 47.318 W106 17.119
Hike GPS File: Click link to download hike waytrack file
Text Author: Frank Ernst
Map Author:
Waypoints Author: Frank Ernst
Track Author: Frank Ernst
Maintainer: Frank Ernst
Editor: Marilyn Warrant