Bandelierwildflowers
At Bandelier National Monument, wildflowers come in 2 separate phases, each its own display and neither a peak: Easter daisies on Burnt Mesa Trail, can start blooming in March; and butterflyweed in the visitor center area, mid-summer (June). This year's season is over; the next is in 2027.
Right now in Bandelier · September
153days to the next wildflowers seasonEaster daisies on Burnt Mesa Trail, can start blooming in March
- MarchEaster daisies on Burnt Mesa Trailcan start blooming in March
- Junebutterflyweed in the visitor center areamid-summer (June)
Bandelier National Monument through the year
- Mar: Easter daisies can start blooming in March on Burnt Mesa TrailMar
- Butterflyweed up-canyon, somewhat later: late June to early JulyJun–Jul
- Jun: Butterflyweed blooms in June around the visitor centerJun
- Oct: First fall freeze by Oct 12 in half of years at NOAA's Los Alamos station, 5.9 mi away (1991–2020 normal)Oct
- Winter snowfall at NOAA's Los Alamos station, 5.9 mi away: about 6–10 in. a month, Dec–Mar (1991–2020 normal)Dec–Mar
Best spots around Bandelier National Monument
- Burnt Mesa TrailAn easy, relatively flat trail, 2.5 miles one way across the mesas to a steep drop-off above a side canyon of Frijoles Canyon. The trailhead is on Highway 4, less than half a mile west of TA 49.
- Frijoles Canyon visitor center areaWhere the park notes butterflyweed's June bloom. Everyone checks in at the visitor center on arrival, and the mostly paved 1.2-mile Main Loop Trail to the canyon's pueblo sites starts here.
Bandelier in pictures
How we know
National Park Service, Bandelier National Monument: Burnt Mesa Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Bandelier National Monument: Red or Orange Flowers (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Bandelier National Monument: Directions & Transportation (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · Wikipedia, Bandelier National Monument (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · Wikipedia contributors, adapted · CC BY-SA 4.0 · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (monthly snowfall, LOS ALAMOS) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (first fall freeze, LOS ALAMOS) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.
Questions people ask
When do wildflowers bloom at Bandelier National Monument?
In 2 separate phases, each at its own spot: Easter daisies on Burnt Mesa Trail, can start blooming in March and butterflyweed in the visitor center area, mid-summer (June). They're separate displays, not one long season, and neither is a peak.
Is it blooming in Bandelier National Monument right now?
Not now: the wildflowers season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 153 days (Easter daisies on Burnt Mesa Trail, can start blooming in March).
Do I have to ride the shuttle?
As of September 2026, no: the park says the shuttle is only required when the parking lots in the canyon fill up. Its 2026 season runs on and off from March 19 through October 14, between the Frey Trail parking lot and the visitor center. There is no shuttle to the White Rock Visitor Center.Source: National Park Service, Bandelier National Monument: Directions & Transportation ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Does the shuttle cost extra?
As of September 2026, riding the shuttle is free, but the normal park entry fees still apply, and every visitor checks in at the Bandelier Visitor Center on arrival.Source: National Park Service, Bandelier National Monument: Directions & Transportation ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I take Uber or Lyft?
They can drop you off, but cell service in the canyon is limited to Verizon 4G, so you may have no way to call a ride out. Set up your pickup before you're dropped off.Source: National Park Service, Bandelier National Monument: Directions & Transportation ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I drive to Burnt Mesa Trail?
Yes. The trailhead is on Highway 4, less than half a mile west of TA 49, and the trails along NM Highway 4 outside Frijoles Canyon can be reached by car any time of day. The park closes at sunset, so plan to leave before then.Sources: National Park Service, Bandelier National Monument: Burnt Mesa Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Bandelier National Monument: Directions & Transportation ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Bandelier National Monument?
Burnt Mesa Trail: an easy, relatively flat trail, 2.5 miles one way across the mesas to a steep drop-off above a side canyon of Frijoles Canyon. The trailhead is on Highway 4, less than half a mile west of TA 49.; Frijoles Canyon visitor center area: where the park notes butterflyweed's June bloom. Everyone checks in at the visitor center on arrival, and the mostly paved 1.2-mile Main Loop Trail to the canyon's pueblo sites starts here..
What is Bandelier National Monument like through the year?
Easter daisies can start blooming in March on Burnt Mesa Trail (Mar), Butterflyweed blooms in June around the visitor center (Jun), Butterflyweed up-canyon, somewhat later: late June to early July (Jun–Jul), Winter snowfall at NOAA's Los Alamos station, 5.9 mi away: about 6–10 in. a month, Dec–Mar (1991–2020 normal) (Dec–Mar) and First fall freeze by Oct 12 in half of years at NOAA's Los Alamos station, 5.9 mi away (1991–2020 normal) (Oct).