Ponderosa Group Campground
Open — Open year-round by reservation only. The campground is currently experiencing a temporary water outage; visitors must bring all water needed for their stay. Water is typically available mid-May to mid-October only. Same-day reservations are not permitted.
The Use of GPS is NOT Recommended
Numerous visitors have been routed to remote trailheads and out-of-the-way roads trying to use GPS to reach the main park area or shuttle stop.
Uber, Lyft, and Other "Taxi" Services
Bandelier is in a remote location, with cell service in the canyon limited to Verizon 4G only. Services like Uber and Lyft will bring you here, but there may be no way to contact a ride out. Please plan your pickup before being dropped off at Bandelier.
Water Outage at Ponderosa Campground
The Ponderosa Campground is experiencing a temporary water outage. Please bring all the water you’ll need for your visit, including drinking water.
Alcove House Temporarily Closed
Alcove House is temporarily closed until further notice due to deterioration on the ladders beyond what was expected. It is being done out of an abundance of caution and with visitor safety in mind. The rest of Bandelier remains open.
About
Ponderosa Group Campground is situated at 7,600 feet elevation within Bandelier National Monument, 6 miles from the park entrance. This group-only facility features two reservable sites designed for groups of 10-50 people. The campground is primarily for tent camping, though one vehicle in each group may be an RV. Each site is equipped with picnic tables, fire grates, and small cooking shelters. Located adjacent to Ponderosa Trailhead, the campground provides immediate access to over 70 miles of hiking trails throughout the park. The Ponderosa Trail descends through ponderosa pine forest and connects to the Middle Frijoles Trail, which leads 8 miles through Frijoles Canyon to the Visitor Center and Main Loop Trail. The campground sits within rugged canyon and mesa country that showcases volcanic geology, ancestral Puebloan sites, and diverse ecosystems ranging from piñon-juniper woodlands to mixed conifer forests. The campground is a short drive from the Frijoles Canyon Shuttle System (mid-May to mid-October), Los Alamos, Valles Caldera National Preserve, and Manhattan Project National Historic Site. Bandelier protects over 33,000 acres and features petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, and evidence of 11,000 years of human presence.
Directions
From Santa Fe (approximately 1 hour): Take Highway 84/285 north toward Los Alamos. Merge right onto NM 502 to Los Alamos. Exit onto NM 4 toward White Rock and continue for 12 miles, passing through White Rock. Bandelier's entrance is on the left. Ponderosa Group Campground is 6 miles past the park entrance on NM 4. GPS is not recommended for navigation to Bandelier.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| BAND_Visitor_Center@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (505) 672-3861 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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