Shuttle

Bandelier National Monument 2026 Shuttle Service

Bandelier's seasonal shuttle service will run March 19, 2026 through October 14, 2026 intermittently. See shuttle schedule below. 

 

The shuttle stop at the Frey Trail parking lot.

NPS / Zachary Whitlow

Bandelier National Monument's shuttle is seasonally operated, typically running from mid-March to mid-October. The shuttle will run intermittently on weekends and holidays throughout the summer. Pickup will start at 10:30 am at the Frey Trail parking lot and will drop off at the park Visitor Center. The shuttle buses run every 30 minutes. These shuttles are operated in partnership with Atomic City Transit in Los Alamos County.

Unlike previous years, the shuttle is not mandatory unless the parking lots in the canyon are filled up. However, please note-If all parking lots are full, even with the shuttle operating, cars will be turned around at the entrance station and asked to return later when more spaces become available. Also, there will be no shuttle service to the White Rock Visitor Center. Shuttle services will only operate between parking areas within Bandelier. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the White Rock Visitor Center for information on regional attractions and unique exhibits. Visitors may use the free shuttle to access trail heads on the mesa top and will provide easy access between the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center and Juniper Campground.

There is no charge for riding the shuttle but all normal entry fees still apply for entering the park. Fees are based on the vehicle visitors arrive to the shuttle in, which is not a per person basis usually. All visitors are required to check in at the Bandelier Visitor Center when they arrive in the park.

How do I know if the shuttle will be running during my visit?

Please scroll down to view the full summer schedule and times while planning your trip, or call the Bandelier Visitor Center at [phone] x 0 to speak with a Ranger.

Why is there a shuttle?

Bandelier National Monument began utilizing a mandatory shuttle in Summer 2012 to help alleviate parking congestion and to prevent the need to turn cars around when the parking lots were full. The shuttle allows the park to accomodate more visitors.

Does the shuttle take me directly to Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites?

No. The shuttle only provides transportation between the Frey Trail parking lot and the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center during the busy season (typically mid-May to mid-October).

Can I drive anywhere else in the park?

Yes. You can still drive into a number of areas of the park any time of the day including Juniper Campground, Tsankawi, and to the many trails outside of Frijoles Canyon located along NM Highway 4. Remember the park closes at sunset, so plan to leave before that time.

 

Bandelier's 2026 Shuttle Schedule.

NPS