I lived between Santa Fe and Bandelier for a few years and know the area well.
The trouble with the Bandelier area is that Los Alamos National Laboratory is right there. It's a jurisdictional nightmare and therefore there aren't many campgrounds. There is one west of the Bandelier entrance...
Hey MikeM - that fourth picture is of the center of La Paz, Bolivia. The photo was taken from the city of El Alto, Bolivia, aptly named. That's my favorite personal photo of all time.
Hey Absarokanaut - yeah, northern New Mexico and the gorge are beyond description, though my personal favorite...
Moderately experienced backpacker here. DIY stove advocate and external frame pack enthusiast. I like traveling to other parts of the world and I like backpacking in the areas / on the trails less traveled. Most of my backpacking experience is in New Mexico, and I just moved to Colorado.
I'm...