Bandelier National Monument · New Mexico

Alcove House Trail

0.6 mi of trail, end to end · Alcove House: 1 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 80 ft of climbing · 6,136 ft–6,208 ft · native surface · trail class Developed · hiking

Alcove House 1 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

no dogs · entrance fee applies · season Sometimes closed in winter if ladders are icy.

Half way through the Pueblo Loop Trail, a choice must be made; turn back toward the visitor center or continue another half mile each way (1 mile round trip) to Alcove House. Alcove House is located 140 feet above the floor of Frijoles Canyon. The elevated site is now reached by 4 wooden ladders and a number of stone stairs.

CLOSURES

Alcove house may close in the winter due to snow and ice. Occasionally it will close for routine maintenance or resource management work. A sign at the base of the stairs will indicate if Alcove House is closed. Check at the visitor center for details

Accessibility The Alcove House Trail is mostly composed of packed dirt and gravel. There are footbridges to cross that are not ideal for wheelchairs and strollers. The ladders are steep and only recommended for people in good physical shape. It may be extremely difficult for service animals to traverse Alcove House's ladders.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.