How long to explore the area?

Barbara Verser | Jun 28, 2018 | Category: Monument

Bandelier National Monument - All questions

Address: NM-4, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA

Craig Norborg | Jun 29, 2018

The main ruins maybe a couple hours if you take your time. If you want to climb the ladders to explore the alcove house, maybe another hour. If you want to do the falls trail, maybe another 2-3 hours. A longer hike like Ponderosa campground to the visitor center, which can include Alcove house and the main ruins, plan on the whole day (7.6 miles) plus you'd want to park cars at both ends! I highly recommend going to Tsankawi, which isn't part of the main site, that would be maybe 2-3 hours.

twisted buttercup | Jun 29, 2019

You need about an hour and a half...unless you walk really slow...some uphill and climbing so can take longer....I forgot to add...that yes...if you want to take the falls trail then you need a couple extra hours....beware the summer...you will need to carry lots.of water...it is really hot and there aren't any trees at the Bandelier except for at the entrance and on the waterfall trail...the main part can be difficult walking at best and extremely hot in summer not great for individuals with mobility issues....a lot of uneven ground and steps

Yitto Mercado | Jun 29, 2018

Yes. Check the hours of operation. Also, if you ride in on the tour bus as we did this summer, be sure to check departure times. It's a beautiful place to explore!

Josh Brown | Jun 29, 2018

Make sure to also give time to ride the bus into the park though. When we went, everyone that wasn't handicapped was asked to park at a separate lot and ride the bus into the visitor center. Though the wait and ride don't take long, it's something to keep in mind.

Subrata Chakraborty | Jun 29, 2018

One could do it in 2.5 hours. However, if someone wants to hike up (several hundred steps), then it would be more than 4 hours.

Glenn Duffield | Jun 29, 2018

About two hours to tour the visitor center and see the cave dwellings.

Aaron Dimmitt | Jun 29, 2018

We had several suggestions to go and see the places and with our two young kiddos we spent several hours and mainly did the cliff dwellings area. Took maybe 3 hours and we will be going back to do more in the future.

Wolfy Martin | Jun 29, 2018

I was there for 4hr and did not see everything there was to see and read . I will be going back.

steven parsley | Jun 29, 2018

We spent three, would have loved to spend more as there where things w didn't see. Take the day to explore

Pooja Bhat | Dec 30, 2021

How is the drive from Santa fe to

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