Release Date: February 24, 2020 For further information contact: Joanie Budzileni, 505-672-3861, ext 1501 Bandelier National Monument 15 Entrance Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544 Statement from Bandelier National Monument on Trail/Road Work and Summer Shuttle Operations that will Affect Visitors Los Alamos, NM – The paved 1.2-mile Main Pueblo Loop Trail at Bandelier National Monument has served many hundreds of thousands of visitors over the last few decades. The trail, which provides access to dozens of Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, is showing the impact of weather, time, and traffic. Finally, this summer the Main Pueblo Loop Trail will be getting a much-needed face lift. Work is scheduled to begin May 1st and last 4 to 6 months. “Although the outcome is a much nicer and more accessible trail, there will be impacts for visitors who come during this much needed work,” stated Acting Superintendent Dennis Milligan. Visitors to Bandelier should expect closures, delays, and re-routing of foot traffic. In addition to work on the Main Pueblo Loop Trail a road paving project that began last fall is set to resume in mid-June and last 1 to 2 months. This project will also cause delays and short-term closures. Please visit www.nps.gov/band before you visit to see an updated schedule of closures or reroutes. Changes may occur with minimal notice. Summer shuttle season begins May 14, 2020 and continues through October 14. Acting Superintendent Dennis Milligan reminds visitors “During the summer season visitors are required to take a shuttle bus from the White Rock visitor center to access the main visited area of Bandelier National Monument. This helps relieve the shortage of parking in the heavily visited portion of the monument during the busy season.” The shuttle is required between the hours of 9 AM and 3 PM to access the visitor center, Main Loop Trail, and Falls Trail. Shuttles run approximately every 30 minutes weekdays, and 20 minutes weekends. Last shuttle leaves the Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center at 5 PM. Remember you may drive directly to the monument and into Frijoles canyon if you meet the following exemptions: •It is before 9 AM or after 3 PM •Vehicles displaying a disability tag or plate •Vehicles with a pet on board (Please note: Pets are not allowed on ANY trails) •Juniper Campground access (A shuttle is still required into the canyon 9am to 3pm) •Overnight backpackers whose trip starts in Frijoles Canyon •Bicycles •If you have official park business •Unloading and loading of tour groups The shuttle bus is free, however; a park entrance fee is required for Bandelier and can be purchased from the White Rock Visitor Center, the kiosk near the shuttle pick-up site in White Rock or paid at the park visitor center upon arrival. You can still drive into many areas of the park any time of the day including Juniper Campground, Tsankawi, and the many trails outside of Frijoles Canyon located along NM Highway 4. Remember the park closes at dusk (30 minutes after sunset), so plan to leave before that time. Please visit www.nps.gov/band, call the Visitor Center, 505-672-3861, ext. 0, or visit Facebook, BandelierNPS, for updated information about the park. ### About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 418 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. For more information about Bandelier National Monument, contact the Bandelier Visitor Center at 505-672-3861 x 0 or visit www.nps.gov/band, or Facebook, BandelierNPS. |
Last updated: March 1, 2020