Bandelier, Atomic City Transit Resume Free Shuttle to Frijoles Canyon in 2026

Bandelier National Monument and Atomic City Transit launched their free shuttle service to Frijoles Canyon on Thursday, March 19, kicking off what the park has designated as its 2026 peak-season transportation program.

The shuttle, offered at no cost to riders, operates on dates the park identifies as peak, though Bandelier has not yet published a full calendar of those days for the season. The partnership between the national monument and Atomic City Transit, the county's public transit provider, continues the collaborative approach both agencies have used to manage visitor access to one of the region's most visited natural destinations.

Frijoles Canyon draws hikers, history seekers, and families to its ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings and waterfall trails, and parking pressure at the canyon's main lot has long made vehicle management a challenge during busy periods. The free shuttle offers visitors an alternative to driving the winding canyon road themselves, reducing congestion at a site where demand regularly strains infrastructure on spring and summer weekends.

Specific details on operating hours, shuttle frequency, and the full list of peak dates had not been released as of this week. Riders looking to plan a visit should contact Bandelier National Monument directly to confirm which upcoming dates will have shuttle service running before heading out.