New Mexico · National Monument trail

Falls Trail Tour - Stop 16

in New Mexico · centroid 52 mi from Albuquerque

Upper Falls was created by magma that cooled in the throat of the volcano as the eruptions ceased. This durable stone was resistant to erosion and withstood the downcutting of Frijoles Creek. This waterfall is approximately 80 feet tall.

Upper Falls is the final stop on the trail. Frijoles Canyon formed when “el Rito de los Frijoles” (little river of beans) cut its way through layers of ash from immense volcanic eruptions. Today most changes are slow, as the soft rock walls of the canyon erode one minuscule particle of stone at a time, the grains giving way to the actions of wind, water, or freeze-thaw cycles.

Plants also play a role in shaping the canyon. Their roots penetrate susceptible areas and pave the way for water or ice to break a rock’s grip on its neighbor.On occasion, this slow, plodding process is rapidly advanced by flash flooding. In these instances, rocks, trees, and water are carried ever further on their journey to the Rio Grande and ultimately the ocean.

States: New Mexico
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Albuquerque, NM · 52 mi · ~1.5 hr drive
Centroid coords: 35.7636°, -106.2598°

About Bandelier National Monument

National Monument

This trail is inside Bandelier National Monument, a national monument managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/falls-trail-tour-stop-16.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Falls Trail Tour - Stop 16 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.

Stay nearby

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Driving in? The nearest documented metro is Albuquerque, NM — 52 miles away (~1.5 hr drive). See accommodation in Albuquerque on Booking.com → RoamFound earns a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. How we handle affiliate links.