• 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 »

Canyon Riparian Areas

Upper Frijoles Creek

The availability of water makes the riparian areas places with a great diversity of life.

Photo by Dale Coker

Creek-side environments, called riparian zones, are particularly rich areas due to the availability of water. Lush shrubbery and overhanging deciduous cottonwood and alder trees provide food, precious shade, and habitat for insects, amphibians, and small mammals. these in turn attract predators - rattlesnakes, birds, coyotes, and bobcats.

The Ancestral Pueblo people knew the value of these places as sources of both food and water. These areas may be seen as ribbons of bright green along the canyon bottoms.

 
male Western Tanager
The riparian zone boasts the greatest diversity of life within the park.
Photo by Sally King
 
garter snake
Did you know that garter snakes can swim?  They find food plentiful in the riparian zone.
Photo by Sally King

Did You Know?

Lesser Goldfinch mom feeds fledgling

Baby birds often leave the nest before they can really fly.  That's because the nest is the most dangerous place for the young bird to stay.