Bandelier National Monument Reopens Visitor Center, Announces Summer Ranger Programs

BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT NEWS

Bandelier National Monument’s visitor center, located in Frijoles Canyon, has reopened to park visitors beginning today, Tuesday, June 15. The museum and theater are once again available, with the park film showing at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, & 2:00 pm. The visitor center is open seven days a week, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. 

Beginning Thursday, July 1, Bandelier will offer free ranger guided hikes of the Pueblo Loop Trail. Guided hikes will be offered most days during the summer at 10:30 am and 1:30pm. Night sky programs will also be presented at the amphitheater in Juniper Family Campground twice each month July through September. Complete program schedule and reservation instructions for night sky programs will be available on the park’s website later this month.  

“We are very excited to resume normal operations and reopen Bandelier’s visitor center. Park rangers are looking forward to sharing the stories of this special place with our visitors as they get out and explore their National Parks this summer,” acting Bandelier Superintendent Dennis Milligan said. 

There is currently no scheduled date to begin the mandatory shuttle from White Rock to Frijoles Canyon. Shuttle service will start at least two weeks following the release of updated guidance regarding public transit from the New Mexico Department of Health. Private vehicle traffic is being allowed into Frijoles Canyon until the shuttle is running. However, due to high visitation levels during the summer, the parking lot may fill up and visitors may be asked to return later in the day. Park rangers encourage visitors to plan their trip to Bandelier outside the peak visitation hours of 10:30 am – 2:30 pm to increase chances of parking being available.  

Park entrance fees are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per bicycle/individual. All entrance passes are valid for 7 days. Camping fees are not included in entrance fees. America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes are accepted for entrance fees. The full suite of America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes as well as Bandelier Annual passes are available for purchase at the visitor center. For more information about types of passes and prices, visit: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

Bandelier National Monument is open every day from sun-up to sunset. The park store operated by Western National Parks Association is open each day, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. The café is open 7 days a week, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.###For information about Bandelier visit www.nps.gov/band, call the visitor center, (505) 672-3861, ext. 0.  Like us on Facebook BandelierNPS, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BandelierNPS.  
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov and on FacebookInstagramTwitter, and YouTube.