Juniper Family Campground

We camped at the Juniper Family Campground in late-April, the perfect spot for exploring the ruins at Bandelier National Monument. We paid $6.00 per night with our Lifetime Access Pass, otherwise the nightly rate is $12.00. This is a first come - first serve campground, payment is made at the kiosk with a credit or debit card, a very simple process. The campground can not accomodate large camping rigs. Site 18 is a level, paved pad with picnic table, bear box, fire ring, and a very spacious site. Restrooms, water, and trash container were in close proximity to our site. The campground is well maintained, the restrooms were very clean, and the campground atmosphere was very pleasant and peaceful. During the off season you can drive to the ruins or hike the trail. During regular season a bus will pickup quests at the campground and return you to the campground. We enjoyed our camping experience and would definetly return again.

We stayed in Albert Squirrel Loop site # 8 and it was beautiful! The landscape provides some privacy but also sun for charging our solar. Everything was well maintained but left as natural as possible.
We have a 22’ with 1 slide and had no trouble getting around and into our spot. We did see larger RVs throughout the campground.
US Cellular is our mobile provider and we had 1-2 bars fairly consistently.
We loved it here and will be back!

I’ll start off by saying this campground was nice and wooded to give you that true camping experience. However I wouldn’t feel comfortable going through in any other larger setup than what we have. The first entire loop was really only for tent camping and possibly vans or small class c. The second loop was where we ended up. Our trailer is only 23’ but we are about 42’ with the truck. There weren’t many spots in general and there was only a couple spots we felt we would could fit with ease. Some spots had major slopes including a pull thru we tried to get into and scraped the entire side of our camper pulling out because it’s narrow, at such a curve and surrounded by trees. the road is one way and not big enough for 2 vehicles and yet some of the parking spots slant the wrong way so only a car, van or *maybe* a small class c would be able to get into them. I definitely wouldn’t come through with a big rig. As close as you can get to Bandalier which was amazing. But no cell service which isn’t good for people like me who need it for work. Generators are allowed 8-8.
Coming into the area we went through a security checkpoint as it’s near the department of energy and on our way back out we were told we weren’t allowed to go through with a camper?

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