The ultimate guide for planning your Bandelier National Monument Camping trip. Here you will find out all the important details you need to know, along with a detailed campground map and photos of the Juniper Campground.
This article should make you feel confident that you will be prepared for your camping trip to Bandelier National Monument.
Bandelier National Monument Camping
There are a couple of different options for camping in Bandelier National Monument. You can stay in a maintained campsite at the Juniper Family Campground or enjoy backcountry camping.
There are also group campsites if you are traveling or planning to have a group of ten to twenty people.
The campgrounds are located a few minutes away from the historic sites and visitor center.
Juniper Family Campground
Bears are active in the Juniper Family Campground. Keep food away from all animals and never leave food/coolers unattended. Bear Boxes are available for food storage.
Restrooms with running water are centrally located in each campground loop. There are no Showers in the campground.
The Juniper Family Campground is located near the main entrance of the Bandelier National Monument.
The campground has three loops of camping sites that are fairly spread out from each other. The campground is rarely full so reservations are not required.
Some Campsites are in the shade while others have direct sun. Vegetation includes Pinon, Juniper, and Ponderosa.
Picnickers may use campsites for day use but must leave by 4:00 PM.
Number of Sites: 52
Location in the park: Near the park entrance to Bandelier NM
Campsite Cost: $12
Senior/Access Camping Fee: $6 with an inter-agency senior pass or specific National Park Passes
Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.
The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
Payments accepted: Fees are paid by credit card only at a self-registration kiosk located near the entrance to the campground.
If you wish to pay cash for your campsite you will need to pay at the visitor center during business hours
Reservations: Only group sites are reservable. There are 2 small group sites for 10-20 people in the Albert's Squirrel Loop
Campground Address:
Juniper Campground
15 Entrance RD
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Phone - (505)672-3861 X517
Latitude/Longitude: 35.7962° N, 106.2813° W
Campground Elevation: 6600 Feet.
Accessible Sites: There are 2 designated accessible campsites.
Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets must be on a leash less than 6 feet in length. Pets are not allowed on any park trails.
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Campground Reservations
Are campground Reservations Available? No
First Come, First Served? All family/single sites are first come first serve. The only sites with reservations are group sites.
Campground Amenities
Dump Station: Yes, Seasonally, dump station available located on the road to the campground.
Bear Boxes: Yes
Flush Toilets: Yes, year-round
Payphone: No
Is Wi-Fi available? No
Is cellular Phone Service Available? Maybe, it is spotty depending on your cell carrier. T-Mobile had two bars of service in some areas of the campground and no service in others. Both Verizon and AT&T had 2 bars.
Is camp host available on site? Yes, seasonally
Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, year round. Firewood collecting is not permitted within the park.
Amenities at each campsite:
Fire pit in the site? Yes
Picnic Table in the site? Yes, Running water year -round
Potable Water? Yes
Campground roads and parking spaces are paved.
RV Camping at Juniper Family Campground
RV Length: A few sites can accommodate RVs as long as 40 feet.
If you are new to driving an RV make sure to check out these RV For Beginners Tips.
Generators: Generators may be used only from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
How to get to Juniper Family Campground
The campground is located near the main entrance to Bandelier National Monument. There are easy to follow signs to the campground.
Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: 10
The number of cars per campsite: 2
Checkout time: 11:30 am
Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Camping Limits: Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day Weekend, the total number of nights any person or group may occupy any campsite is 14. During the rest of the year 14 consecutive nights. Limit of 28 total days.,
Juniper Campground Map
Ponderosa Group Camp
Ponderosa Group Camp has two sites and reservations are required!
The sites are located six miles west of the main entrance to Bandelier NM near Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Reservation can be made at www.recreation.gov or you can call 1-877-444-6777.
Water is not available during any freezing months of the year.
The cost for a site in this campground is $35/night or $35/day-use for a reserved campsite.
The Ponderosa Group Camp offers picnic tables, fire grates, and small cooking shelters along with pit toilets that do not have running water.
You can have one RV at each site and the rest is tent camping. The group site is for 10 to 50 people.
There is a minimum of 10 people per site and a maximum of 50 people.
Check-in time is 4:00 PM and check-out time is 11:30 AM the following day.
Day-use is from 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
Backcountry Camping
A permit is required to backcountry camp in Bandelier NM. There is no fee for a backcountry permit but the park does need to know how many people are camping.
You can pick up a backcountry permit at the visitor center any time they are open except the last 20 minutes of the day. Make sure to plan time to visit the visitor center and pick up your permit.
You can pick up the permit up to 48 hours before your planned trip or on the same day as long as it is before the park closes.
Make sure to bring a current park map and information on open backcountry camping areas.
We suggest also bringing a National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for Bandelier NM available on Amazon.
Backcountry camping is closed in Frijoles, Alamo, and Capulin canyons, or any stream bottoms July 1st through September 15th due to summer monsoons and flooding.
Make sure you bring your ten essentials and are prepared for the changing weather depending on the season you plan on camping.
Bring plenty of water with you. The water from the Rio Grande is not safe due to most water filtration systems not removing the pesticides that can be found in the river water.
There are more than 70 miles of hiking trails within the park. Some trails are steep, have switchbacks, and big drop-offs.
Cerro Grande Route is the parks highest point at 10,200 feet and is considered difficult/extreme.
Campgrounds near Bandelier National Monument
If you are unable to find a camp site in Bandelier there are quite a few campgrounds near the park.
Here are a few of the options:
The RV Park at HIPICO Sante Fe - 13 miles from the park.
This campground offers RV sites
KitFox - 29 miles from the park
This campground offers lodging
Coronado Campground - 35 miles from the park
This campground offers RV and Tent Sites
Route 66 RV Park - 50 miles from the park
This campground offers lodging, RV and Tent Sites.
Check out additional campgrounds in the area on CampSpot
Lodging near Bandelier National Monument
There are no National Park Lodges within the park. The closest lodging can be found in White Rock, Los Alamos, and Santa Fe.
Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos - A free breakfast buffet, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a gym are just a few of the amenities provided at Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna or the steam room. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a business center.
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder - A golf course, a casino, and a terrace are just a few of the amenities provided at Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder. Hit the jackpot at this hotel with amenities such as 1200 slot machines, 14 casino gaming tables, and a sportsbook. Indulge in a body wrap, a body scrub, and a massage at the onsite spa. Be sure to enjoy a meal at any of the 3 onsite restaurants. In-room Wi-Fi (surcharge) is available to all guests, along with shopping on site and a coffee shop/café.
Comfort Inn & Suites Los Alamos - Free self-serve breakfast, laundry facilities, and a gym at Comfort Inn & Suites Los Alamos. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour business center.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Los Alamos - Free breakfast buffet, a terrace, and dry cleaning/laundry services are just a few of the amenities provided at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Los Alamos, an IHG Hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a gym and a 24-hour business center.
Click on the map below to find additional hotels and vacation rentals near the park.
Parks near Bandelier National Monument
Valles Caldera National Preserve
Manhattan Project National Historical Park - Los Alamos
Pecos National Historical Park
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Check out all of the New Mexico National Parks along with neighboring Arizona National Parks, Colorado National Parks, National Parks in Oklahoma, National Parks in Utah, and National Parks in Texas
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