Good to know
- Tickets
- The monument charges an entry fee per vehicle, covered by the America the Beautiful pass. Check nps.gov for current rates. Payment is card or digital only; cash is not accepted.
- Time needed
- Half a day for the Main Loop and Alcove House; a full day to add the Tsankawi section.
- Best time
- Spring and fall for mild weather. Summer is busy and afternoon storms are common.
- Getting there
- Los Alamos is about 20 minutes away. Santa Fe Regional Airport is about 50 minutes by car; Albuquerque International Sunport is about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Where to stay nearby
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Bandelier National Monument questions
Do you need to take the shuttle to Bandelier?
Not usually in 2026. The free shuttle is only required if the canyon parking lots fill, so arrive early or plan to ride it on busy days.
Can you climb into the cliff dwellings at Bandelier?
Yes, some cavates along the Main Loop Trail have ladders you can climb into. Alcove House is reached by tall wooden ladders and is not for anyone afraid of heights.
Is Bandelier worth visiting from Santa Fe?
Yes, it makes an easy day trip of under an hour each way and is one of the most accessible cliff dwelling sites in the Southwest.
