Bandelier National Monument

Just an hours drive from Santa Fe into the Jemez Mountains lie some of the best and easily accessible remains of New Mexico’s ancient Indian civilizations. Located in Frijoles canyon, along the small frijoles creek on its way to the Rio Grande River, the cave dwellings reside in an ecotone, a transition zone where plants and animals from several biological zones intermingle. The result is an ecological diversity the Anasazi probably found quite desirable. The ruin trails are highly maintained and a visitor center organizes daily historical tours. The visitors to the park can climb ladders into ancient cave dwellings and keevas, or hike along the creek deep into Frijoles canyon or down to the Rio Grande river.