Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

Campground is nestled in a bug group of dense pines and only a 15-20 minute drive from Los Alamos. Quite a few hiking trails in the areas to explore the high desert mesas and escape the heat of Albuquerque.

Juniper CG @ Bandelier NM: May 2024

Juniper CG @ Bandelier NM: May 2024 Visited El Chamayo, Los Alamos, and the beautiful Valles Caldera National Preserve

(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

Overall Rating: 3.5 Price 2024: $ 10 w interagency pass Security: No Usage during visit: Heavy Site Privacy: Some sites are good in this respect Site Spacing: Okay, better for some sites Pad surface: Bkacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes.
Potable Water Available: Yes Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Yes. Showers: No Pull Throughs: Some pull overs Cell Service (AT&T): Not good Solar: Abert’s loop will have better solar, though our site and many others in Coyote Loop was adequate during our stay.
Insects: Not this time of year. Host: Yes Sites: Sites that looked good in Abert’s Squirrel Loop(drive through): 1,4,5,6,7,8, 15,16. Coyote Loop among best: 40,41,43,46

We visited Bandolier for the first time for 3 days in April, staying in the Juniper campground. This is such an amazing place. Firstly, the campsites are lovely, and somewhat spaced apart. While there were campers next to us, it didn't feel like they were right on top of us because we had open space behind our campsites. Secondly, the hiking right from the campgroud is great - the two hikes are definitely worth doing. We loved the tribute to the workers in the Civilian Conservation Corps right in the campground. The CCC also built the visitor center (well, parts of the old building). The hiking from the visitor center was great! We enjoyed visiting the ancient Pueblos, especially climbing the 140 feet to the Alcove house. I found myself hiking and wondering about the lives of the indigenous people who lived and thrived in this canyon. We also took a 1/2 day trip to Los Alamos that was so worth it. We enjoyed the do-it-yourself walking tour (pick up information at the volunteer-staffed visitor center). This trip was a tag-on to our TX eclipse trip and so very worth it! Note: It was already a bit hot in mid-April for some of the hiking.

This was our first time at this lovely National Monument and we simply loved it. The campground was small with only a few spaces for bigger rigs, but we fit without any problem. Love those small spaces! 

The campground is perched on the mesa above the monument’s protected dwellings, artifacts and trails at the valley. You can get there by walking about 2.5 miles from the campground along a stunning trail, or driving around the road. We simply loved hiking here, choosing a different way each day over the four days we were there.  So much to explore!

Campsites have the standard picnic table, bear box locker, and fire ring. The trees were mostly shorter scrub junipers and other high desert trees so there was lots of sunshine for solar powered rig, but no electrical service at any sites.  Nice privacy between sites.

The bathrooms were clean, heated, and had flush toilets and running sinks with potable water, plus a small dish cleaning sink, but no showers. 

The Visitor Center is an awesome CCC structure from back during the depression as are many of the hiking trails in the valley.   We were here for Halloween, so carved our pumpkins in memory and celebration of the people who lived here so many years ago.

Nearby Los Alamos has all the services you need as far as supplies, services and restaurants. But if you can plan your hike to end before 4pm, the cafe at the VC is really worth it!!

We stayed here on a weeknight in June and the campground was only about 1/3 full. Even though we showed up close to dark, we had our pick of campsite. Awesome place to stop for the night, clean/quiet.

Good NPS campground. $12 first come first serve. As per the information received the campground is rarely full. They are reviewing to change it to a reservable campground and increase the fee to $20. Good location to visit Bandelier NM (there is a trail starting from the campground going to the canyon). There are 3 loops. Only a few sites accommodated bigger RV. Flush toilets and water available.

Enjoyed our stay in the campground in April of 2022. The campground has 52 sites in 3 loops-Abert's Squirrel and Black Bear are the first two and they're scattered about amongst Juniper and Pinyon Pines. The Coyote loop, where we stayed, is the last loop you'll encounter and it is forested by tall Ponderosa Pines. 

While it has some sites that can accommodate them, it is generally not a campground for big rigs. The campground is a relatively short and steep drive from Frijoles Canyon where the Visitor Center and several trailheads are located. The Alcove House and the Upper Falls were some of our favorites.

The campground features potable water, flush toilets, cell service, a seasonal amphitheater, dump station, food lockers and is open year round.

We stayed here one night and did the hike in the morning! Such and enjoyable stay. They hike in the canyon is easy and well maintained. I would definitely recommend!

Had a great night here after doing some hiking in Bandelier. Sites and bathrooms were clean.

No hook ups and parking pads are not conducive to large rigs. We found site 8 worked very well for our 16’ trailer and truck. Fairly private site- It did help no one occupied the sites next to us.

Caught some deer around our site during lunchtime and coyotes were vocal at night. Would stay again!

Beautiful camping near the Bandier National Monument. Sites are spaced fairly wide apart. No hookups. Toilets and water are available.

Campground is clean and now has bear vaults at each site. The bathrooms were clean and are not lit at night. Find your flashlight. There are no showers. There is a mix of sites with some having more shade and privacy than others. A nice place to camp.

Sites are exposed, and summer is hot. I imagine fall or spring would be more ideal weather. Definitely planning a trip back later in the year. Each tent site is small, relatively flat with picnic table. A few pull through sites are available. Firewood is pre-cut and can be purchased for $1 a log (cash only, drop box).

This campground has numerous sites and many were open during our visit. Juniper provides good shade and often privacy between sites. Clean sites with big tables and adequate space. Suspect wildlife in the area indicated by double locked bear proof trash containers. The campgrounds made us feel very comfortable with our location. Good showing of birds in the area. Conveniently located close to Bandelier National Monument

First, this campground is clean and well kept; Pavement throughout. However, if you are coming with a large RV, you may not find a suitable space. They advertise up to 40’, but there are only a few sites that can accommodate anything that large. We have a 25’ fifth-wheel and there were a lot of spaces too small, and some too difficult to get into due to our length. We did find a space and were quite comfortable, we enjoyed what the area had to offer, but since there are no hookups, we got too hot and moved on. Sites are quite level and include a table and grill. Bathrooms were clean with running water, flush toilets and an electrical outlet!

Not good for large trailers but if you have a smaller one or tent camping, this place is great. When it is full it is still fine as it seems people there are decent and know their manners. (becoming unusual these days) Will stay there again.

Really nice campgrounds right inside entrance to Bandelier National Monument. Self serve/first come, so get here early to snag a spot. We stayed in Bear Loop and found those sites the nicest for vans, car camping, tents.

Pros:

• Relatively quiet for a three loop campground, esp at night
• A good mix of pull through and tent sites with plenty of room to drive in. Our site did not have partial shade, though there are plenty of trees in the loop to help with that
• Frey and other hiking trailheads accessible near camp (lived this)
• Firewood for sale at pay kiosk (cash donation, $1 per log)
• Kiosk was pretty easy/took cards, just be mindful of searching for a spot before you pay
• Nice bathrooms, no showers available at time
• Was really awesome launching point for exploring Bandelier; easy to drive or walk right into the thick of things

Cons:

• $12/night may be too pricey for some, but we found it reasonable

Stayed here in march 2021. Sites are nice with flat parking, fire pits, picnic tables. Some have bear boxes as well. Bathrooms have plumbing, but no hot water. You can hike down to the trails or drive to the visitors center.

Overall a great spot to stay for a few nights. It's a little expensive, but totally worth it.

Great campground but be aware it is ALL first come access.  Most of the campsites will fit a tent or smaller camper, there are 50+ sites, but only a handful that will fit a large 5th wheel or Class A size.  Most of the larger sites are on Coyote loop which is closed in winter.  We stayed on Ebert Loop in site 10 which fit our 24' camper.

Most of the campsites are nicely spread out and lots of trees.  Very quiet and peaceful.

Hiking trails right from the campground, too.

Dish washing station at bathrooms is awesome.

No showers.

Flush toilets and sinks for brushing teeth in morning which we appreciate.  

We were just there in Feb and it was only 1/4 full.... but from Spring-Fall it will be full most nights so get there early.

Perfect little campground to check out Bandelier Monument. Sites were well spaced and had a decent amount of privacy. We visited during the end of January and the camp was pretty empty.

Nice fire pits, $1.00 per log.

Don't miss this national monument! Not only are the archeological treasures there well worth the effort, the campground is pleasant, well groomed, and easy to get to. We camped in our 17-foot Casita RV. While there is no water or electricity at the sites, we conserved by using the centrally located flush toilet and double-sink wash station for dishes. Sites are well spaced and private. Staff at the visitors center were friendly and masked.

I loved Bandelier and Juniper campground. Site rental and firewood purchase are self-service on your way to the campground. We went on a Tuesday and there were very few people there. Made the place feel even more special. Hiking to the historic Pueblo’s from the campground wasn’t too difficult and it was a totally beautiful and unique hike! No showers, but there are bathrooms and dishwashing stations.

Bring comfortable hiking shoes, as there is a trail between the campground and the Indian caves. It’s maybe 4 miles round trip, but scales the mountain with several switchbacks. It was a beautiful morning hike. Oh yeah, the campgrounds were great with very clean facilities. Can’t wait to go back.

Awesome campground located inside the gates of Bandelier. $12.00 for a paved back in or pull trough site. So much to do in the area. Hiking, biking, camping, it’s all there. My wife said the bathrooms were clean, fire pits at each site along with Bear boxes. If it would’ve had water I would’ve given it a 5.

Before I visited here in December I had not heard of Bandelier NM; it's a wonderful place for exploring outside Santa Fe and Juniper Campground provides rustic sites without hookups (dump station and water available, though the dump station is closed in winter). Because it was December, we could drive into the park; in peak season there are shuttle buses that take you to the visitors center. There are no reservations except for the group sites. You'll need to pay with a credit card at the campground or pay cash at the visitor's center. You'll also need to pay an entrance fee for Bandelier NM unless you have or purchase a National Parks Pass. With a senior or an Access pass, you'll get a 50% discount on the already low fees.

Sites are sunny and open with scrub trees providing an element of privacy between sites. Parking pads have been recently paved. Bearboxes are provided. Bathrooms provide flush toilets, sinks, and hand dryers, but no showers. Although pets are allowed, if you plan to do any hiking, you'll want to leave them home. High elevation, so it's cold in winter and may have snow.

I would stock up on supplies on my way out of Santa Fe (about an hour away) or Albuquerque; or in Los Alamos from the North. There are a number of other national monuments in the area and Santa Fe is a nice small city to explore.

We stayed here for a week and a half in the middle of June 2019. We are a 30 ft travel trailer with a Ram 2500. I’d say between all three loops, there were probably 8-10 sites where we would fit. Some of those spots were taken when we arrived on a Sunday afternoon, but we were able to snag spot#9 on the Abert’s Squirrel loop. It was one of the few pull through sites. Not the easiest site to navigate or level, but we made it work and had plenty of room to park the truck in front. The campground was a little tight for us so I’d think anything much bigger(40’ is probably pushing it) than us will have some trouble getting around. Some of sites were questionable as far as level as well. No hook-ups at any of the spots but there is a dump station near the entrance with potable water. There are also potable water spigots throughout the campground. Conveniently, there was a spigot right by us. Very easy to fill jugs. There are shower houses and toilets, but never went to see how nice they were. The campground was about half full most of the time we were there. Very quiet and everyone respected quiet hours. You pay for sites at a self-pay station with credit card only. We tried to book for 11 nights and it wouldn’t take it, so apparently the self-pay is only good for a charge less than$100. If you want to extend your stay, you can either wait until noon(some things said 11:00 so not sure which is correct) and pay at the kiosk(it must be completed after check-out) or you can write a note that you are extending and pay later. Sites are$12/night unless you have a national park senior or access pass then they are$6/night. It is$25 to enter the park(7-day pass), but we have the annual park pass. There is a camp host on Abert’s Squirrel loop, but we didn’t interact with them so can’t say how friendly they were. Our spot#9 was perfect for solar, no obstructions at all. Most of the other sites we saw at least had some potential for shade. The Coyote Loop seemed to have the most potential for shade; although, the other loops had shady spots as well. Even if you stay at the campground, Bandelier is only accessible by shuttle from 9am-3pm. However, there is a hiking trail that will take you from the campground to the ruins. We did that then hiked the trails down there. You can also hike back up to the campground, but we opted to take the shuttle instead. The last shuttle leaves the visitor center at 5pm. There are other things to do in the area as well. The towns, White Rock and Los Alamos, are nearby and both have services should you need them. The road up to the campground(Hwy 4) is bumpy! First paved road we have ever been on that was washboard. Nothing major, just annoying. The portion of the road to Los Alamos and Jemez Springs was nice. We figure the road damage is due to the shuttles. Weather is a bit unpredictable; rain clouds move in fast, but they move out fast too. We had several TV channels so were able to stay up to date with the weather. AT&T signal was not good with only 1 bar LTE without the booster and not much better with it. It was enough to WIFI call and do some light searching, but uploading photos was too slow. Verizon was good with about 2-3 4G LTE without the booster, and 4 bars with it. I was able to work remotely with the Verizon hotspot. Overall, it was a great place to stay and we would stay again.

Nice quiet place within the monument. Shuttle bus takes you to visitor center Where ruins are and access to trails. There is a lovely 2 mile trail  from campground that you can also walk to center. Ruins are interesting. Lots of wildflowers.

The Juniper campground is perfection. The layout of the campground allows for both RV and tent camping, while still having you own quiet area. Plenty of water filling stations, and bear boxes. The evening ranger presentations, held at the amphitheater, are informative and interactive.

A lot of open spaces, quiet, good hiking

There are 3 loops in the campground with various sized spots and amount of shade. We were initially drawn to loop C but there was a group that had 8-10 cars in two camping spots so we opted for loop B instead. We found a great spot with trees to hang our hammocks while still being able to keep our solar panels in the sun.

There are trail heads that are a short walk from the campground including a 1.5 mile trail to the visitor center

The spots have picnic table and fire rings, there is potable water and vault toilets throughout the campground as well as a dump station at the entrance/exit. You pay at an automated machine at the entrance, in April there were plenty of spots to chose from and the campground was probably about 50% full. Cost is $12/night.