Bandelier cliff dwelling. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comBANDELIER News:
Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott announced that, in concert with the re-opening of other public lands in the area, the restrictions at the park due to high fire danger will be lowered to Level I this weekend.
As of 8 a.m. Friday, campfires will be permitted in the fire grills in Juniper Campground. The campground and all the park trails have been open all along, including overnight backpacking in the Bandelier Wilderness.
Backpackers will still not be able to camp in canyon bottoms, due to flood danger during the monsoon season, but are permitted to camp on the mesa tops.
“We want people to know that there are lots of opportunities to hike and camp at Bandelier,” Lott said. “We’ve been open all along, and now campers can again roast hot dogs or make s’mores in the fire grills in Juniper Campground. Enjoy your stay, and like always, remember to be careful.”
There are more reasons why this weekend would be a good time to visit Bandelier. This Friday night and other Fridays throughout July and August, there will be the popular Nightwalks.
These are silent ranger-led walks in the dark among the dwellings in Frijoles Canyon, with poetry and storytelling. Reservations are required. Call the Visitor Center at 672-3861 ex 517. At 8:30 p.m. Saturday, there will be a ranger talk, “Wild about Bandelier,” in the Juniper Campground amphitheater. Non-campers and campers are all welcome.
On weekends throughout the summer, the park hosts local Pueblo craftspeople demonstrating their art on the back porch of the Visitor Center. This weekend’s featured artist is potter Sharon Naranjo Garcia of Santa Clara Pueblo.
Sunday, the Santa Fe Raptor Center will be bringing some of their educational birds of prey to show to visitors.
