Painted Cave

Painted Cave is a remote ancestral Pueblo rock art site tucked deep within Bandelier National Monument, known for its remarkably preserved pictographs painted beneath a volcanic cliff.

Getting to the trailhead

Painted Cave is reachable from the remote Dome Trailhead, not from Bandelier’s main visitor center. From NM 4, turn onto Forest Road 289, also called Dome Road, and follow it toward St. Peter’s Dome. After roughly seven miles, continue onto Forest Road 142 to the Dome Wilderness/Dome Trailhead parking area.

The parking area is at approximately (35.76537, -106.36680).

The road is unpaved, remote and seasonally closed. Check road and trail status before committing to the drive.

The hike

From Dome Trailhead: Follow the Dome/Capulin Canyon route steeply downhill. Reach the Capulin Canyon floor near the remains of an old ranger cabin. Follow the canyon downstream for approximately another three miles. Take the short spur toward the large cliff alcove containing Painted Cave.

Expect about 13 miles round trip, approximately 2,400 feet of total climbing, and 8–10 hours. The return climb to the car is the hardest part. Flooding after the Las Conchas Fire destroyed much of the trail through lower Capulin Canyon, so substantial portions involve following the creek bed and finding the route. Offline map, water, and food are all recommended. Also, please view the pictographs without touching the wall, entering restricted areas or disturbing anything!