The most accessible ruins consist of cave rooms hewn out of the soft tuff rock, houses built on the talus slopes and a circular community village. Bandelier also contains 23,267 acres of designated wilderness, including 70 miles of hiking trails. Free permits, which are required for overnight back-country travel, can be obtained at the visitor center. Pets are not allowed on any trails in the monument.
An introductory slide program and a small museum in the visitor center provide orientation to and interpretation of the area. A 1-hour self-guiding walking tour of the principal ruins starts at the visitor center. Monument open daily dawn-dusk. Visitor center open daily 8-6, Memorial Day-Labor Day; 8-4:30, rest of year. Closed Jan. 1 and Dec. 25. Visitor center free. Phone (505) 672-3861.