• Tyuonyi Pueblo and Big Kiva from Frey Trail

    Bandelier

    National Monument New Mexico

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  • Access by Shuttle Bus Only

    Starting May 24, 2013 all access to the most visited part of the park, Frijoles Canyon, will be via a mandatory shuttle bus from the nearby community of White Rock from 9 AM - 3 PM daily. Private cars may drive in before 9 AM or after 3 PM. More »

Plants

Cholla cactus

Cane or walking stick cholla not only produce beautiful flowers in early summer but also provided an important food source for Ancestral Pueblo people.

NPS Photo by Sally King

The range of elevations in Bandelier's landscape of mesas and canyons creates a diversity of ecosystems, populated by numerous species of plants. Water, most in the form of winter snow or late summer afternoon thunderstorms, is a major key to the survival of these plants. A wet season or a series of wet seasons can spur the growth of plants not seen for years or even decades. Cyclic fire, browsing by wildlife, and insect infestations are some other factors that affect the range and variety of plant species in an area.

 

Did You Know?

Bandelier Backcountry

About 70% of Bandelier National Monument is a designated Wilderness area? Hikers can enjoy viewing remote archeological sites and spotting rare wildlife in this less developed area of the park.