The Main Loop Trail (renamed the Pueblo Loop Trail)

ladder into cavate
Wooden ladders allow access to some of the cavates on the Main (Pueblo) Loop Trail.

Photo by Sally King

Please see a virtual tour of the trail here.
Virtual Guided tour
here

The Main Pueblo Loop Trail is a 1.4 mile loop trail (thanks to log crossings) through archeological sites. Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and one hour on this trail. Ladders along the trail allow visitors to climb into cavates (small human-carved alcoves). The Main Pueblo Loop Trail takes you past the Big Kiva, Tyuonyi, Talus House, and Long House.

Pick up a $3 trail guide at the Park Store to learn more about the sites along the trail through descriptions of 21 numbered stops.

The first section of this trail is flatter and may be travelled by wheelchairs and strollers; however, some areas exceed accessibility standards and some areas contain stairs/dropoffs. In winter, this is the only trail on which the snow is removed.

Map of Main Pueblo Loop Trail (PDF)

 
tyuonyi from below cavates
A view of the village of Tyuonyi and Talus House.

Photo by Sally King

WINTER AND OTHER CLOSUREs
The morning after a winter snow this trail may be closed for a few hours while staff remove the snow from the trail. A trail closure will be indicated by a sign at the start of the trail. Please obey closure signs. Walking on the snowy trail leaves dangerous ice that can remain for months. Check at the visitor center for details.
 
visitors with a trail guide
Don't forget to pick up a trail guide at the park store for $3.  They provide valuable information about trail highlights.

Photo by Sally King

 
man with baby on ladder
Due to stairs (and some fun ladders) a baby backpack or frontpack works better on this trail than a stroller.

Photo by Sally King

Last updated: October 18, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance RD

Los Alamos, NM 87544

Phone:

505 672-3861 x0

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