News Release

Bandelier's Mandatory Summer Shuttle Begins

Bandelier shuttle bus

NPS

News Release Date: May 31, 2022

Contact: Joanie Budzileni, 505-672-3861 x 1501

Los Alamos, NM - It's been a busy spring at Bandelier National Monument - parking lots have already reached capacity several times. When this happens, visitors are not permitted to enter, and are asked to return later in the day. Beginning this Saturday, June 4, 2022, all visitors will be required to take the free shuttle into Frijoles Canyon, the most popular part of Bandelier, from 9am-3pm. Please check the Bandelier website and Facebook pages for updates.  

The shuttles have big windows to take in the scenery along the way and will run seven days a week through mid-October. Starting at 9am, they leave the White Rock Visitor Center every half hour on weekdays and every twenty minutes on weekends. Current CDC guidance for Covid-19 will be followed on shuttles. 

Every bus stops at Frey Trailhead parking area, then proceeds to the Bandelier Visitor Center in Frijoles Canyon and stops on the mesa top parking again on its way back to White Rock. Visitors traveling by way of Jemez Springs don't have to drive all the way to White Rock. In addition, for those who are prepared for a two-mile hike, visitors can get off at the Frey Trailhead stop and walk down into the Frijoles Canyon for a scenic approach. At the end of their visit, they can then ride the shuttle back, avoiding the long uphill return trail, which many hikers appreciate especially on very hot afternoons.     

“We hope that the shuttle will help us ensure that no one who has traveled to Bandelier will be turned around at the gate,” stated Bandelier Superintendent Patrick Suddath. "The County of Los Alamos and Atomic City Transit provide us with a terrific system, buses and drivers. While we work to figure out how to continue to provide access to the Monument without degrading park resources, the shuttles make it possible for visitors to have a relaxed, enjoyable day at the park,” he added.  

Visitors who arrive at the park before 9am or after 3pm may drive into Frijoles Canyon without taking the shuttle. In addition, there are exceptions for visitors with disability placards on their vehicle, traveling with pets, coming on park business, and organized groups traveling in their own bus or vans. 

Due to the extreme fire danger across the entire region, open areas in Bandelier are limited to:  

• Pueblo Loop Trail – the main trail behind the park visitor center  
• Falls Trail to Upper Falls 
• Frey Trail  
• Tyuonyi Overlook Trail 
• Tsankawi Trail 

All campgrounds, wilderness and backcountry areas and the Alcove House and Alcove House Trail will remain closed.  

Bandelier National Monument is open every day from sunrise to sunset. In Frijoles Canyon, the park visitor center and the park store (operated by Western National Parks Association) are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and the café, Sirphey at Bandelier, is open from 9am to 4:30pm.   

Park entrance fees are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per bicycle/individual. All entrancepasses are valid for 7 days. Campingfees are not included in entrancefees. America the Beautiful– the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes are accepted for entrance fees. The full suite of America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes as well as Bandelier Annual passes are available for purchase at the visitor center. For more information about types of passes  and prices, visit: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm.