The Upper Frijoles Falls is a roughly 90-foot waterfall on Frijoles Creek reached via the Falls Trail descending Frijoles Canyon from the Bandelier National Monument visitor center. The section beyond the upper falls toward the Rio Grande has been closed by flood damage.
Its 90 ft drop is taller than about 67% of the 775 waterfalls we track.
Upper Frijoles Falls sits on Frijoles Creek. It lies in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The site is on public land managed by Bandelier National Monument (NPS).
This is a moderate hike waterfall: a longer day hike, roughly one to several miles each way. Reaching it takes a moderate walk, so budget time and pack water before you set out. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 3 miles round trip. The nearest town is Los Alamos.
When to go: spring. Flow usually peaks after snowmelt and heavy rain and tapers through late summer — a quick look at recent streamflow and the managing agency's conditions page can save a wasted trip.
