Bandelier National Monument · New Mexico

Frijoles Trail

4.7 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Frijoles Canyon & Rim Trail: 8 mi one way in the Service's write-up · about 400 ft of climbing · 1,200 ft of descent · 6,188 ft–7,010 ft · native surface · trail class Developed · hiking

7,010 ft 6,213 ft · 4.7 mi high 7,010 ft

Hike the Frijoles Canyon & Rim Trail 8 mi one way · the Park Service's write-up

7-8 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies

Frijoles Canyon from the rim section of the Frijoles Loop Trail.
Frijoles Canyon from the rim section of the Frijoles Loop Trail. Photo: NPS / Sally King

The Frijoles canyon trail is an 8 mile one way hike from Ponderosa campground to the Visitor Center. From Ponderosa campground the trail goes into the canyon and turns left along the creek and towards the Visitor Center. Take the time to enjoy the incredible rock formations and relax in the peace and quiet. Be prepared to get your feet wet as there are no bridges, but shallow water.

The Frijoles Rim trail is located on the mesa above Frijoles canyon. From Cottonwood picnic area by the Visitor center, take the Long trail to the Frijoles Rim trail. It connects to the Frijoles canyon trail at the upper crossing of Frijoles creek and allows you to turn this into about a 13 mile loop. This trail gives you expansive views of a good portion of Northern New Mexico and several mountain ranges.

Please note: Ask a ranger at the Visitor Center if you have questions about this trail or condtions.

Accessibility This trail is considered strenuous with significant elevation gain. Service animals can access the trail. This hike is only recommended for people in good physical health. It may take responders several hours to arrive on scene if a medical emergency should occur on this trail.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 28 trails in Bandelier National MonumentFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

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.