"A place of treaty .... Bandelier Cliff Dwellings" Bandelier National Monument by kymbanm

Bandelier National Monument Travel Guide: 80 reviews and 177 photos

Can you see the cliff dwellings?? - Bandelier National Monument

A place of treaty??? Well, the native pueblos north of here speak Tewa, and the pueblos south of here speak Keres ..... the old pueblo here in Frijoles Canyon was the dividing line between these two distinct native groups. In Keres, this pueblo's name of Tyuonyi means 'place of treaty' or 'place of meeting'.

Named for Adolph Bandelier, a 19th-century anthropologist, and made accessible by the CCC, Bandelier covers nearly 50 square miles of steep narrow canyons that flow from the 10,000 foot peaks of the Jemez Mountians to the Rio Grande River.

As part of one of the world's largest volcanic calderas, this region is home to wide variety of wildlife, including mountain lions, elk, black bear and the protected Jemez Mountain Salamander. But what sets this park apart are the 13th-century Anasazi ruins that create a unique experience for me.

Battleship Rock

Battleship Rock is a sheer cliff that rises above the river like the prow of a ship dotted with back and shiney obsidian ... but despite it's natural beauty, this formation is best known as the parking lot for Mc Cauley Hot Springs, one of the more accessible and scenic sites for a soak in hot mineral waters. The water tends to be about 99F, and clothing IS OPTIONAL :) You walk up the trail about a mile up from the firepit gazebo of the picnic area to find these special springs.

Since they are well known, these springs can be crowded, but there are choices for your soak as there are a couple of large pools located in this high mountain meadow.

Since I come to Bandalier from the south, along the Jemez Corridor, this is right along the way ........

Valles Caldera ..... just a few miles away

Valles Caldura

The Valles Caldera is about 14 miles in diameter, and is one of the best studied calderas in North America. As you pass by, you see a beautiful meadow and rolling hills that are very different from the surrounding topography.

This beautiful valley is on the way to Bandelier from Jemez Springs ..... I am always amazed at the view from the roadside .......BTW, all of the hot springs in the region have origins under this valley ....

Intro Updated Aug 11, 2005
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Reviews (5)

Long house and cliff dwellings - Bandelier National Monument

Walk the paths and breathe the history... Things to Do (4)

There are several paths to choose from .... The most commonly used trail, known as the Tyuonyi Loop, is about 1 1/4... more travel advice

Dad and I resting on the path .... - Bandelier National Monument

Wheelchair accessible? I think not! Warnings and Dangers (1)

Though the national park system has tried to make remote areas, like Bandelier, more accessible, they still have a lot... more travel advice

Tisha playing at the tactile exhibit - Bandelier National Monument

Museum - History both old and new :) Things to Do (4)

If you've read my tips, you already know I have a thing for visitor centers and their museums. Bandelier's set up did... more travel advice

Wooded paths .... - Bandelier National Monument

Visitor Center Things to Do (4)

I am a visitor center junkie when I travel to these parks ... I love visiting w/ the rangers, and seeing the exhibits... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 11, 2005

4 photos

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

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Comments (4)

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jojocan Jun 12, 2006 at 10:33 PM

hank? fred? jack?
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acemj Feb 5, 2006 at 2:57 PM

This place sounds great for everyone (nerds included).
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zrim Jan 8, 2006 at 9:13 AM

I love Bandelier too. It was one of the first trips that Becky and I made together.
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emilienoelle Oct 24, 2005 at 8:00 PM

I love this place. It's one of the first places I ever visited in NM.