I’ve visited Bandelier National Monument twice with my family, once when my twins were five years old, and more recently when they were eleven. It’s equally fun with little kids as well as big kids.
Bandelier National Monument is about 1.5 hrs from Albuquerque, which makes it a great destination for a day trip. The best time to visit is spring and summer. The trails are not cleared of snow in the winter, so be sure to check for any closures.
☀️ ☀️ ☀️ Be sure to check out Salinas Pueblo Missions for another fun day trip. ☀️ ☀️ ☀️
Bandelier is known for its petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, and ladders.
Trails
Pueblo Loop Trail
The most popular trail is the Pueblo Loop Trail, which is about 1.5 miles and will take around an hour to complete. While the first section of the trail is flatter, it can only be traveled on foot. There are stairs and narrow walkways for most of the path.
This trail has multiple ladders where you and your kids can climb up inside the cavates (small human-carved alcoves). It can get busy, but it’s worth waiting a few minutes so you can experience it.
From the Pueblo Loop Trail, you can either head back to the visitor center or continue on the Alcove House Trail.
Alcove House Trail
The Alcove House Trail is for the more adventurous people who don’t have a fear of heights. There are no railings, and it is only accessible by four long ladders. My kids and I braved this when they were just five years old. Even if you don’t climb the ladders to the top, the site is still impressive to view and is worth checking out.
Falls Trail
One of my favorite things about New Mexico is that even in the desert, there are still places to enjoy water. My kids are attracted to any trail that has a stream or waterfall. Bandelier is no exception to this. There is a 1.5-mile-long Falls Trail, which leads to waterfalls.
Bandelier has multiple trails, but because of the stairs and steepness in some areas, they are not considered wheelchair or stroller accessible.
What to Bring
- Water
- Hat
- Sunscreen
Pack a lunch and plenty of snacks. There is a restaurant at the monument, or there are picnic tables in the parking area.
Things to Do
- Hike one of the trails.
- Go on one of the free guided walks.
- Take your kids to the visitor center to get their free Junior Ranger booklet. They can earn a wooden badge upon completion.
- If you have a National Parks passport book, get passport stamps and check out the gift shop.
Looking for more places to explore?
Check out this guide to parks, lakes, and hikes in New Mexico.
