BANDELIER News:After a busy spring, summer, fall, and Balloon Fiesta, during which the shuttles carried thousands of visitors between White Rock and the Bandelier Visitor Center, this year’s shuttle season is about to draw to an end.
Sunday, Oct. 15 will be the last day of shuttle bus service to the park until next spring.
“Every summer since the Las Conchas Fire in 2011, the buses have made a huge difference in visitors’ experience here. The shuttles prevent people from having to wait in line for hours for spaces to open up in the very limited parking area in Frijoles Canyon”, Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott said. “We’re very grateful to the drivers and the rest of the Atomic City Transit staff for their hard work, courtesy, and careful driving during more than 4,000 runs this summer. We’re also grateful to the great amount of help provided by the staff at the White Rock Visitor Center, who tirelessly, all summer long, help visitors understand and use the shuttle system.”
Accompanying the end of the bus schedule and shorter autumn days, the Visitor Centers will also change their operating hours. Starting Oct. 15, the Bandelier Visitor Center will change to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the White Rock Visitor Center will go to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as of Oct. 16. The Los Alamos Visitor Center keeps the same hours year-round, 9-5 Monday-Friday, 9-4 Saturday, and 10-3 Sunday. In addition the Bandelier Trading Company Gift Shop and Snack Bar hours will go to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As it has been all summer, during the remaining days that the shuttles are running visitors wishing to drive their own vehicle down to the Bandelier Visitor Center can do so if they arrive at the park before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Those camping in Juniper Campground can drive into or out of the campground without utilizing the shuttles.
For more information, contact the Bandelier Visitor Center at 505.672.3861 x 517, or check the park Facebook page or Twitter at BandelierNPS.
