Bandelier National Monument is seeking public comment on proposed increases in expanded amenity fees for Juniper Family Campground and Ponderosa Group Campground. The park is also proposing to make a portion of Juniper Campground reservable through Recreation.gov. Fees at Bandelier for individual campsites last changed in 2005 and group campsite fees last changed in 1995.
Bandelier is proposing the following camping fees for individual campsites and group campsites:
| Campground | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
| Juniper Campground – Individual Campsites | $12/night | $20/night |
| Juniper Campground – Group Campsites | $35/night | $50/night |
| Ponderosa Campground – Group Campsites | $35/night | $50/night |
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) is the legislation that allows the park to collect expanded amenity fees such as camping fees. This law allows parks like Bandelier National Monument to retain nearly 100 percent of fees collected in the park for use on projects that directly enhance the experience of park visitors. Camping fees collected at Bandelier stay in the park and are used on campground upkeep, maintenance, and management. These fees are also used on projects that directly improve the camping experience for park visitors. Some projects that have been completed using camping fees are:
- Campsite Maintenance and Upkeep – Hazardous tree and vegetation removal in and around campsites annually with work performed by youth work crews
- Improved Accessibility - Installed new concrete walkways surrounding comfort station A and B in 2022
- Visitor and Wildlife Safety – Installed bear boxes in every campsite in 2020
- Comfort Station Rehab – Rehab and upgrade of interior and exterior of comfort stations in 2017
- Infrastructure Rehab – Road and drainage rehabilitation, installed new lift station in Loop C, and replacement of all signs in 2009
Bandelier is also proposing to make a portion of Juniper Campground available for advanced reservation through Recreation.gov. Camping Loop A (15 sites) will remain non-reservable all year, available to day-of-campers on a first come, first-serve basis. Camping Loop B (15 campsites) will be reservable year-round, and Camping Loop C (19 campsites) will be made reservable March through October. Loop C is closed annually November through February.
Allowing advanced reservations of campsites will provide 24/7 ease of reservations; offer park visitors the convenience and flexibility to plan their trip ahead of time and make changes to reservations when needed; and provide peace of mind knowing a campsite is waiting when they visit Bandelier. A partial reservation system will also help reduce the administrative burden placed on park staff allowing for that time to instead be spent on improving and expanding visitor services as well as enhancing visitor safety and resource protection in Bandelier.
Bandelier National Monument is proposing the new camping fees go into effect October 1, 2023, with the launch of online reservations for Loop B & C campsites to begin in late summer or early fall 2023.
Public Engagement is an important part of Bandelier’s planning process. The park invites the public to submit comments March 26 to April 24 via the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at:
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/band115502
Additionally, for those without internet access, comments may be submitted through postal mail:
Bandelier National Monument Attn: Fee Office 15 Entrance Rd Los Alamos, NM 87544
Comments on the park’s related social media posts will not be officially accepted. All public comments must be received through PEPC or postal mail by April 24, 2023.
Original source can be found here.