One of the most beautiful places to visit in the United States is the Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. In addition to the stunning desert landscape, this monument features ancient Pueblo native homes and remnants of their communities. Bestowed with national monument status in 1916, this park offers a variety of activities and sights for people of all ages to enjoy.
Puebloan Sites
Without question, the most compelling sights at Bandelier National Monument are the Puebloan homes carved into rock. These archaeological sites have been carefully preserved, allowing visitors to get a glimpse at how native people lived. These homes are scattered around the mesas and canyons, making for an interesting hike.
Nature Trails
There are a number of beautiful trails that wind throughout the park, particularly Alcove House Trail. While hiking, you’ll spot fauna and flora that are unique to the particular region. Birdwatching enthusiasts will get plenty of action here, and you might even spot bears, mountain lions, deer, and smaller animals. You may also catch a glimpse of the resident horny toad, as they are commonly seen hanging around the trails.
Museum
The Bandelier National Monument has a great museum to visit where you can find tools and artifacts of the Pueblo natives. There are two huge dioramas that you can look at that will give you an idea of daily life in the villages, as well as paintings by Helmut Naumer Sr. that were created during the Great Depression.
With beautiful landscapes, wildlife of all kinds, and the vast remains of Pueblo homes, the Bandelier National Monument is something that every nature and history lover must experience!
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Featured Image from Alek Olson/Unsplash
