COUNTY News:As home to a national laboratory for 75-plus years, Los Alamos is known as the place where discoveries are made—both inside the lab and in the mountains, forests and mesas that surround it.
The gateway to three National Parks, Los Alamos is the ideal spring destination for those looking to celebrate the great outdoors during National Parks Week, which runs April 20–28.
“As a hub for outdoor adventurers seeking ‘aha moments,’ Los Alamos is steeped in history and full of opportunities to get back to nature and explore,” County Marketing Manager said Kelly Stewart. “With three breathtaking National Park sites in the immediate vicinity, Los Alamos is the place to be this spring, especially during National Parks Week.”
To kick off National Parks Week, visitors can check out the three National Park sites April 20 in the Los Alamos area—Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve and Manhattan Project National Historical Park—for free.
Each Park offers a unique experience and a glimpse into times past. At Bandelier, visitors can walk through dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people who once called Bandelier National Monument their home, and use hiking trails and ladders to explore archeological sites and dwellings tucked into the natural recesses of steep-walled canyons.
Spring weather yields cool temperatures in the morning that warm considerably throughout the day. Plan three to four hours to enjoy the spectacularly scenic drive through the region’s canyons and mesas, stop by the visitor center to watch the film narrated by Meryl Streep, and then venture on a paved trail for as far or as high as you would like.
The Valles Caldera National Preserve is one of only seven super-volcanoes in the world and one of three National Parks that surround Los Alamos. Depending on the weather, this vast tundra is perfect for snowshoeing, fishing, hiking, biking or watching wildlife, including two of the largest elk herds in the state. For the best first glimpse of the Preserve’s Valle Grande (“big valley”), drive west from Los Alamos, looking right. The sheer scale of the valley is jaw-dropping. Pull out at the marker to take it in, then continue to the turn off to the visitor center. Visit nps.gov/valle to find out current hours and activities available.
Explore and discover the secrets of the “Secret City,” as well as the history of Los Alamos’ legacy and the groundbreaking science that helped end WWII at Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Taking the Atomic City bus tour, the Historic Walking Tour, the Homestead Tour or the self-guided SpyTour, visitors can immerse themselves into the history of Los Alamos, with hard stops at the award-winning Bradbury Science Museum, Los Alamos History Museum and the historic Fuller Lodge.
Visitlosalamos.org includes a Los Alamos: Gateway to Three National Parks page with details and itineraries. All visitors are reminded to wear layers of clothing, bring sunscreen and drink plenty of water on these high-elevation adventures.
“Whether you’re an avid hiker, a history lover, or an adventure seeker, Bandelier, Valles Caldera and Manhattan Project will provide ample outdoor recreation offerings, incredible insight into the past, a chance to make discoveries of your own, and an exciting and memorable getaway experience,” Stewart said. “We invite all to come celebrate National Parks, as well as to delve into the world-changing history of Los Alamos this spring.”
For more information on all there is to see and do in Los Alamos, or to plan a visit, go to VisitLosAlamos.org.
