Bandelier National Monument
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Bandalier_houses.jpg
The Bandelier National Monument is a U.S. National Monument consisting of 32,737 acres (132.48 km²) of northern New Mexico, United States. About five-sevenths (23,367 acres (94.56 km²)) of the National Monument has been designated a wilderness area. The Valles Caldera National Preserve adjoins the monument on the north and east, extending into the Jemez Mountains.
The main attraction of the National Monument is Frijoles Canyon, containing the (restored) ruins of a community house and a ceremonial cave. A 1-mile (1.6-km) paved loop trail from the visitors' center affords access to these features. Other, primitive trails enter the backcountry, which contains additional ruins, canyon/mesa country, and some transient waterfalls. A detached portion of the monument called the Tsankawi unit is near the town of Los Alamos and offers the hiker a chance to see ruins in an unrestored condition.
It was designated a National Monument on February 11, 1916, and the wilderness area was designated in October 1976.
The National Monument is named after anthropologist Adolph Bandelier.
External links
- National Park Service website (http://www.nps.gov/band/)de:Bandelier National Monument