Frey Trail, Frey Trail Trailhead - Juniper Campground, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
Frey Trail - 3.4 miles
Frey Trail Trailhead - Juniper Campground
| Round-Trip Length: | 3.4 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 6,663' - 6,179' (6,663' max elevation) |
| Elevation Change: | -484' net loss (+575' total roundtrip elevation gain) |
| Skill Level: | Easy-Moderate |
| Dogs Allowed: | No |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | No |
| Related Trails: |
Frey Trail - 3.4 Miles Round-Trip
Leaving from the Frey Trail Trailhead in the main parking lot of the Juniper Campground, the Frey Trail offers visitors a chance to hike down to the Main Ruins Loop Trail from the campground itself. The trail starts off relatively flat running through a beautiful green mesa filled with mature juniper trees, colorful mountain mahogany and flowering skunk bush.
At about .4 miles (6,654?), the trail crosses a park service maintenance road bearing slightly northeast. The trail continues on a slightly downhill grade with beautiful views of the Jemez Mountain Range to the north. At about .8 miles (6,618?), a wooden bench is provided to rest, meditate and enjoy the solitude.
At 1.00 miles (6,570?), the Frey Trail comes to a ?T? split. Turn left and follow the sign to the Ruins.
At 1.25 miles (6,500?), the trail begins to switchback down the canyon wall on its way to meet up with the Main Ruins Loop Trail, and at 1.7 miles (6,179?), the Frey Trail dead-ends into the Main Ruins Loop Trail. The way down to the canyon floor affords excellent views of the Tyuonyi Ruins, a central meeting place for the Ancestral Pueblo in Frijoles Canyon.
Once reaching the end of the Frey Trail, take time to explore the main ruins before turning around and hiking back to the Juniper Campground.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N35 47.713 W106 16.870 — Juniper Campground - Frey Trailhead
Worth Noting
- It's easy to reach the Visitor Center from the Frey Trail's terminus. From the Main Ruins Loop Trail, turn left for a more direct route past the ruins to the Visitor Center, or right for a longer route which will take you across Frijoles Creek before heading to the Visitor Center.
- Hiking the Frey Trail in the early morning provides time for quiet reflection as most people begin their trek later in the day.
- The Frey Trail provides an alternative route to the Main Ruins Loop on the floor of Frijoles Canyon.
Rules and Regulations
- Do not litter. Leave the area as you would want it left to you.
- Stay on trails. Climbing walls or cliffs is not allowed unless a ladder is provided.
- Collecting, disturbing or defacing archeological sites / artifacts is a federal felony offense. Violators are always prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
- Removing or picking flowers / plants is illegal.
- DO NOT feed wildlife. Plague can be carried by squirrels and even a small bite from a squirrel can result with infection.
- NO PETS on trails. They are restricted to campgrounds, picnic areas and parking lots. NEVER keep you pet locked inside your vehicle unattended.
- There are no bikes allowed on trails. They are allowed only on paved park roads. This is also true for motorized bikes.
- Fires are restricted to the campground areas and available cooking grills. Collecting firewood is prohibited.
- Permit is required for any backcountry camping in Bandelier.
Directions to Trailhead
From Los Alamos, take Route 502 south-west for 5 miles, then Route 4 south-east for 6 miles to the signed turn-off into the Monument. Shortly after proceeding through the Bandelier National Monument entrance station, take your first right towards the Juniper Campground and the Frey Trailhead is located in the Juniper Campground general parking lot.
Contact Information
Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance Road
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Visitor Center daytime phone
(505) 672-3861 x517
Visitor Information (recorded)
(505) 672-0343
Group reservations
(505)672-3861 x 534
By Fax
505-672-9607
Visitor Center Operating Hours
Summer: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend)
Winter: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (When mountain Standard time is observed; approx. Nov.- Mar.)
Spring/Fall: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (When Mountain Daylight time is observed in April & Sept.- Oct.)
Park and Visitor Center are open daily except:
Closed December 25 and January 1.
All day use areas (including Frijoles Canyon, Tsankawi, Cerro Grande trail, Burnt Mesa trail, etc) of the park open to recreation at 6:30 AM year-round. Day use areas must be vacated by official sunset (on summer solstice this is 8:25 PM).
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