Juniper Family Campground

We stayed at Juniper November 10-13. We had visited Bandelier for a day from Road Runner RV park in Pojoaque and decided we could fit in a number of spots in Juniper for a multi-day visit. The rate we paid reflects the America the Beautiful senior pass discount. The campground was really busy while we were there with people coming in and out each day. It looked like folks would drop off something to hold a site prior to 11am then come back and reserve and stay later in the day. A number of sites were closed each day for maintenance. There weren't many spots that would fit our Airstream Flying Cloud 25, but fortunately we found a lovely one. We had no trouble navigating around the loop with our truck and trailer.

We loved the Frey canyon hike that took us down to the visitor center with access to other trails. The shuttles weren't running so we planned the hike back up Frey Canyon trail into our plans. There were water spigots at several locations so water was easily available. Each site had an anti bear food locker. We encountered so many lovely people in this park during stay.

While generators are allowed from 8am until 8pm, we only heard one now and then. Unfortunately we were the obnoxious ones that had to run our generator for an hour and a half morning and night because our batteries decided to flake out causing us to shorten our stay. We hated running it in such a peaceful place!

We were able to get ATT cell phone coverage if we wandered around the campground until we got two bars, intermittently. We consistently had 1 bar but it didn't have enough oomph for anything but the occasional text.

This campground and area are beyond beautiful, and we loved our stay. We have a 21 ft trailer and if fit into our spot with no issues. The campground is super tight though, and if we had anything larger, it would have been tough negotiating the roads/site. Also there are very few sites that can accommodate a 21ft or larger trailer. Since you cannot make reservations, it is a gamble to show up with a big rig. We arrived at 5pm on a Sunday and there were 2-3 sites that we could choose from, and all were taken by the end of the day. If you have an RV - I would go straight to the Coyote loop and look there first - this will be your best chance. There is no water/electric at the sites but there is water at the restroom. The park is meticulously managed - we got a scolding for crushing the grass next to the dump station (seemed silly at the time, BUT the grass there is uniquely beautiful, and the host was right to expect that we stay on the pavement). Its an easy drive to the visitors center. BNM is an amazing setting and valuable historical site - pay the $2 for a self guided book. Also once you know what to look for - watch for home sites on the sides of the mountains all over the area. Very special spot for sure!

We stayed for seven nights the campground was great flush toilets and a dishwashing station. We went to Los Alomos for a shower and swim at the aquatic center $3.50 for a day pass. The lap pool and therapy pool (95 degrees) wee excellent. We would definitely stay here again Bandilier national monument had very interesting cliff dwellings you can explore.

I kind of hate to talk about this place, because I want to be able to score a site when we come back! Camped here in late July-early August 2021, and found the campground only about 50% full. Coyote Loop (“C”) had quite a few sites that would take rigs larger than ours. There is a dump station with potable water, and threaded faucets placed around each loop. Bathrooms are flush toilets (no showers), dishwashing sink at each bathroom. Two nice hiking trails off the campground, one leading down into the valley towards the cliff dwellings (watch for that hike back up! Alternatively, do it on a weekend and take the shuttle back up to the cg). We tried to do our hiking early, as the sun is strong and the days are hot. Generator hours are 8-8; nights were reasonably cool. Bandelier is a great base to use for area hiking, Los Alamos, and even Santa Fe if you wanted to drive that far.

We could boost Verizon to 2 bars of LTE, and it also seemed time of day dependent. Otherwise, lots of places in Los Alamos with wi-fi.

It was raining and drizzling. Very fresh. Do not settle into the first loop (which is just fine). There were maybe 10 cars there. The second loop had no one and I found a great spot. Pads are paved but short. A long RV or trailer might be a challenge. The bathrooms are luxurious as there is heat, hot water, and a blower to dry your hands. Men and women section. There is a tiny side room to wash dishes...or your hair and more. Sink with hot water and a spray. Very clean. There is water around. The county road is very close and you can hear vehicles. But very quiet at night. Great hiking from the campground all the way to the Canyon with the indian cliff dwellings. Great place to visit. It was a week day and overcast weather so there were plenty of parking spaces. Might be crowded on nice weekends. They sell firewood by the stick for $1.00 each! No cell coverage until driving to the scenic view point.
I enjoyed the whole experience with camping/exploring combo.

Campsite is having a very clean flushing toilet and a dish washing sinks even though it does not have much shaded area and all sites are paved however most of them are not level and there are only a few spots for 30’ or bigger rigs but overall, it’s a good clean and quiet place in addition to a close distance to Bandelier National monument and a good hiking trail to the monument overlook. We were there from Wednesday-Friday and it’s still plenty open available spots for FCFS

We stayed here Th/Fri prior to the Memorial Day weekend. The whole camp was ~30% full when we rolled in on Thursday morning, so there were many nice sites to choose from. The deepest sites are mainly crammed together in the 2nd half of the Coyote loop, while other sites have a far more open and private feel. If you have a larger rig, you'll need to sacrifice a bit to fit. We have a 24' Class C, and there were many sites in all of the loops that would have worked well. There are many that would have worked well in the Black Bear loop, though I see that noted sometimes as a tent only loop. We picked 43 in the Coyote loop and that worked great. It feels far away from all other sites, with an unobstructed view of the surrounding hills. You can't beat the price of $12 or $6 with a senior park pass. We hiked the Frey trail down to the valley and took the Pueblo (Main Loop) and Alcove House trails. I would especially encourage everyone to take the Alcove House tour, as climbing the tall ladders is a great experience. You can also grab some refreshments at the Cafe adjacent to the visitors center. Beware of the hot sun though, so bring a hat if you have one. The air temp was nice and cool, but you can really feel the sun at that altitude. The 2nd day we rode our bikes down to the visitor center from camp. That's a fun ride down, but tough 4 miles back...... so be prepared to work on the way back. There are bike racks to lock your bike to at the visitor center. By Sat morning of the Memorial Day weekend all the sites were taken in the Coyote loop, I don't know about the other loops. The automated payment kiosk only allows you to check in and pay for a site starting at 11am

At first we were going to stay in White Rock city RV park by the visitors' center for the electric hookup, but none of the ten sites were open. So we were so pleased that Juniper Campground exceed expectations. Site 39 in Coyote Loop was level and easily backed into. There are pathways to the (heated!) restrooms. There is a dishwashing room (unmarked door) there also, but the light only works at night, so bring a flashlight during the day. Cold water only. There are electric plugs in the restrooms if you really need to charge up your electronics. Choose your site and then promptly go pay for it by credit card at the pay station you passed coming in. Buy expensive firewood here also. You can hike from the amphitheater down to the ruins, especially important when the canyon parking is full of cars and if no bus is available. Make sure you are capable of hiking back up later. There is a fine Smith's Grocery in White Rock. Cell coverage is spotty. If you have a senior's NP Pass, then daily camp fee is only $6. Camp host in first loop is helpful.

Only a few sites for our 31 foot RV. But we got one near restroom. Heated restroom with running water and a room to wash dishes. I wish there were showers. Beautiful pine woods. No electric, so you can hear the generators running. Coyote loop is probably only one for larger RVs. The cliff dwellings are the highlight of the park. We took the extra mile trail to the Alcove House. This ended up at a series of ladders to ascend 140 feet up. And some narrow passage ways. Had to often wait for people going opposite direction. I don't know how hey handle it in the summer when they get really busy. Didn't realize until later there is a trail from campground to the ruins. In the summer the lot at the visitor center fills up. We also hiked the 3 mile trail to the falls. More strenuous hike, but worth it.