Northern New Mexico makes a perfect place for sci-fi movies: frequent UFO sightings, a former secret federal research facility that developed nuclear weapons, extinct volcano caldera that still seeps through cracks in the form of fumaroles and hot springs. But there is something else, completely different, hidden in the ponderosa pine forest just outside of Los Alamos: a ghost village of the ancient and now bygone Pueblo culture called Bandelier National Monument.

We don't know much about the Pueblo culture, but the remaining artifacts suggest that it was quite sophisticated. The reason why Pueblo hunters and gatherers had vanished still remains a mystery today.

If you compare different building techniques and materials, caveats were relatively easy to make. The volcanic tuff, a soft stone formed from compressed volcanic ash, is very crumbly and can be carved really well.

A village has two types of dwellings - on the canyon floor and along the cliff walls. A snow-covered creek and people wearing t-shirts in December along a sun-lit wall should probably make it clear that all rooms were much warmer in winter months.

In my opinion, the main attraction at Bandelier National Monument is climbing four wooden ladders to reach Alcove House, a spacious room with a kiva used for religious ceremonies and social gatherings.

140 ft / 42 m vertical ascent should discourage (rightfully so) those fearing heights.

Bandelier National Monument may have been overshadowed by Mesa Verde National Park in southern Utah but still attracts quite a few visitors. Frijoles Canyon which makes much of Bandelier National Monument, is rich in flora and fauna and very picturesque. In addition, the park is a four-season hiking destination with over 70 miles / 112 km of hiking trails.

The view of Valles Caldera National Preserve from Route 4 just outside of Bandelier National Monument.

When to go

The park is open year-round, from dawn to dusk except during heavy snow days or other emergencies. 

From mid-May to mid-October Frijoles Canyon and the Visitor Center can only be accessed by a shuttle bus.

Additional Information

For additional information visit Bandelier National Monument's official website.