Bandelier National Monument - Falls Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

Photo by Sally King

Upper Falls

Open

The Falls Trail starts at the end of the Backpacker's Parking Lot near the visitor center. The trail descends 400 vertical feet in its 1.5 mile length to the Upper Falls. A beautiful trail in any season, this trail is not cleared of snow in the winter and can be extremely icy. There are steep dropoffs along the trail and board bridges across the creek. Keep children close at all times and watch for wildlife. Take plenty of water. Water from the creek should not be drank without first treating it.

THIS TRAIL IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO WHEELCHAIRS OR STROLLERS.

The Falls Trail used to lead another mile past Upper Falls to the Rio Grande. A major flash flood event in August, 2011 destroyed a portion of the trail leaving no safe access to areas beyond Upper Falls. This area will be closed to all access.

Photo by Sally King

The Falls Trail terminates at the Upper Falls. The lower trail was destroyed by a flash flood event in August, 2011.

photo by sally king

The flood event on August 21, 2011 scoured most of the vegetation from the base of Upper Falls.

Photos by sally king

Lower Falls was changed even more drastically by the flood event. No vegetation remains and huge boulders were swept away.

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