The Rio Grande, Bandelier’s eastern boundary, near Lower Alamo canyon. Photo Courtesy NPS
BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT NEWS RELEASE
Often just known as NPLD, National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and is traditionally known as the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. NPLD celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits. Bandelier National Monument and other National Parks that normally charge entrance fees, will be free of charge on Saturday, September 25, 2021. The park store in Frijoles Canyon operated by Western National Parks Association, will offer a 15% discount on all purchases. However, you choose to celebrate your public lands, be sure to RecreateResponsibly!
In addition to free entry for all visitors, Bandelier will be having Wilderness Cleanup Days on September 25th and 26th. In honor of National Public Lands Day (September 25th) and National Wilderness Month (September) park staff and volunteers will be conducting several cleanup projects in Bandelier National Monument’s Wilderness. The cleanup projects are aimed to help preserve the wilderness character and keep Bandelier’s Wilderness wild.
The projects will involve deconstructing and packing out trash from Bandelier’s wilderness. Due to the nature of the cleanup projects, volunteers should be in a good physical condition, able to hike up to 5 miles a day with a heavy pack and elevation changes. Volunteers will need to supply their own hiking/camping gear. Volunteers can help on Saturday or Sunday or both days if they wish! There will also be an overnight backcountry project going from Saturday to Sunday for those interested. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Wilderness Ranger Mark Peterson at mark_m_peterson@nps.gov or call (505) 672-3861 x1442.
The next and last fee free day for 2021 will be on Veterans Day, November 11.
For more information check out: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.htm
Except on fee free days, 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 sunrise to sunset. The visitor center is open 8:30 am-4:30 pm daily; the park store operated by Western National Parks Association is open 9:00 am-5:00 pm daily and the café is open 9 am-4:30 pm daily.