• 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 »

  • Alcove House Closed

    Alcove House, with its 140 ft climb on stairs and ladders, is closed to all visitor access from June 10 to August 22, 2013 while important stabalization work is done on the Alcove House kiva. More »

  • Fire Restrictions in Place

    Due to high fire danger, starting June 5, 2013, smoking will be allowed only in designated areas. No open fires will be allowed anywhere in the park. Self-contained stoves only at the campground or backcountry camping. No fireworks.

Yucca

banana yucca

Yucca was a important plant, supplying the needs of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

NPS Photo by Sally King

Yucca, a member of the lily family, was an extremely important native plant used by the Ancestral Pueblo people. It supplied food in the form of blossoms, fruits, and roots; fiber for weaving sandals and rope; soap and shampoo from the roots; and the ends of the sharp, pointed leaves made excellent needles for sewing. Two forms of yucca, Banana Yucca and Narrow Leaf Yucca, are common within the park.

Did You Know?

Tyuonyi Pueblo

It is estimated that Tyuonyi Pueblo had 400 rooms but only 100 people lived there. Many of the rooms were used mostly for storage of food and pens for turkeys.