Hike to Alcove House

Start your hike from the Visitor's Center and head out on the Main Loop Trail to begin. You can hike the loop in either direction, either first crossing the river across from the Visitor's Center or heading out from directly behind the Center. If you start from across the river, you'll begin with a quiet walk through the forest and soon reach a junction for Alcove House (straight ahead) or crossing back over the river to continue the Main Loop. Leave the loop here and continue towards Alcove House for another 0.5 mile. You'll soon see the wooden ladders reaching up the rock walls and Alcove House up above. Put your fear of heights aside and head on up!

Breath a sigh of relief when you've made it up all four ladders, then take in the awesome view of Frijoles Canyon from the alcove. The kiva has been reconstructed from its days in the past of housing Ancestral Puebloan people, who lived in this region from 1150 to 1550 CE, before severe drought caused them to move on to other pueblos along the nearby Rio Grande river.

When you've taken it all in, return down the ladders and head back to the Main Loop trail. If you crossed the river at the start of the trail, cross back over when you rejoin the Main Loop and finish out the last part of your hike along the cliff walls. You'll find many more archaeological sites, including cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, cavates (small human-carved alcoves), and other structures such as Big Kiva, Talus House, and Long House. Ladders are placed along the trail for you to climb up and explore these areas.

Take note that the ladders up to the alcove may be closed in winter if conditions are particularly icy or snowy. You'll see a closed gate in front of the ladders if this is the case.

Finish back at the Visitor's Center and then head to Pajarito Brewpub and Grill in Los Alamos for a tasty local beer and meal!