Valles Caldera National Preserve

Valles Caldera National Preserve About 1.2 million years ago, a cataclysmic volcanic eruption caused the earth's surface to collapse, forming the 14-mile-wide Valles Caldera.
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Today, the National Park Service preserves this fascinating New Mexico landscape and shares its story. Page Expectations and Guidelines:

Welcome to Valles Caldera National Preserve's page. We hope this will become a place where fans feel comfortable sharing information and experiences about Valles Caldera National Preserve with one another. While this is an open forum, it is also a famil

y friendly one, so please keep your comments and wall posts clean. Please be considerate of other fan's opinions. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here. If you do not comply, your message will be removed. We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions, nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization. We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. Such posts and/or links are subject to deletion. People who continue to post such content and/or links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. We do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Posting of external links on this site that are intended as advertising (or to drive traffic to websites unrelated to Valles Caldera National Preserve), or do not contribute to dialog and discussions about Valles Caldera National Preserve may be deleted. People who continue to post such links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. External links do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. National Park Service or the U.S. Department of Interior.

When do Valles Caldera's summer hours end?From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend each year, Valles Caldera Nat...
09/04/2026

When do Valles Caldera's summer hours end?

From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend each year, Valles Caldera National Preserve observes summer hours. During this time, the main entrance is open to vehicular traffic from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Beginning Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Valles Caldera will return to its regular hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

As a reminder, the park is open to pedestrian and bicycle/e-bike traffic from dawn to dusk every day of the year. For this purpose, there are pedestrian gates available at Sulphur Creek Trailhead, Redondo Creek Trailhead, Banco Bonito Trailhead, the main entrance, Rincon Trailhead, Rabbit Mountain Trailhead, and South Valle Grande Trailhead. We invite you to experience the absolute magic of Valles Caldera before or after hours. Once you've tried it, you may never want to visit from 9-5 ever again.

Photo description: The pedestrian access at Valles Caldera's main entrance, overlooking Valle Grande. (NPS)

Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Valles Caldera!Join us on Saturday, September 26, from 9:30-12 for a National Pub...
09/03/2026

Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Valles Caldera!

Join us on Saturday, September 26, from 9:30-12 for a National Public Lands Day Volunteer Activity supporting Valles Caldera National Preserve's roads and trails. Registration is required. Sign up at Volunteer.gov.

Los Amigos de Valles Caldera will provide lunch for all participants. Please register by September 15 so we can plan for the correct number of meals.

After volunteering, stick around for Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta, a three-day special event featuring guest speakers, cultural demonstrators, ranger programs, live music, and vendor booths. Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/fall-fiesta.htm.

Photo description: Volunteers having a great day at Valles Caldera. (NPS/Raelyn Toya)

Have you heard the buzz? Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta is just over 3 weeks away, and the daily schedule is PACKED with spe...
09/02/2026

Have you heard the buzz? Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta is just over 3 weeks away, and the daily schedule is PACKED with special programs and activities. Check it out here: https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/fall-fiesta.htm.

Each day will have a different theme to offer new ways for you to connect with this volcanic landscape. Activities will include:

- Live music
- Artisan village and educational booths
- Cultural demonstrations
- Guest speakers
- Eruption simulations every hour in the Volcano Discovery Center
- Ranger programs
- Self-guided after-hours access of Valle Grande

Please join us!

Photo description: Cloud Eagle, a traditional dance group from the Pueblo of Jemez, dances in the Cabin District. (NPS/Corey Lycopolus)

Valles Caldera National Preserve is one of New Mexico's premier elk hunting locations. Between 2,500 and 3,000 elk occup...
09/01/2026

Valles Caldera National Preserve is one of New Mexico's premier elk hunting locations. Between 2,500 and 3,000 elk occupy the Preserve for breeding, calving and foraging.

Park visitors are advised to wear bright colors for safety and visibility in the Preserve's backcountry during elk hunting season (Sept. 1 - Dec. 9). Visit our Hunting webpage for more information.

To those who are hunting in Valles Caldera (Unit 6B) this season, best of luck!

Photo description: A hunter glassing from a shrubby hillside. (NPS/Monte White)

08/29/2026

Every national park has stories happening behind the scenes, and people who help care for these places and connect us to them.

From rangers leading programs and answering questions to crews maintaining trails, scientists studying ecosystems, and staff caring for historic places and welcoming visitors, park employees do a lot of work that often happens out of sight.

Today, we’re taking a moment to recognize the people who help care for your national parks and make so many park experiences possible.

To the park employees, past and present, who have dedicated their time, skills, and passion to these places: thank you.


NPS Photo

Happy 110th birthday to the National Park Service! To celebrate this momentous occasion, today is a fee-free day at all ...
08/25/2026

Happy 110th birthday to the National Park Service! To celebrate this momentous occasion, today is a fee-free day at all National Parks, including Valles Caldera National Preserve.

New Mexico is a wonderland of rich and diverse national park experiences. We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite.

Learn more about free entrance days across the NPS: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm.

Photo description: The East Fork Jemez River meandering through Valle Grande. (NPS/Stan Ford)

Tomorrow (Monday) at 9:00 am, join us for a Ranger Guided Nature Hike to celebrate National Park Week! Meet at the Volca...
08/23/2026

Tomorrow (Monday) at 9:00 am, join us for a Ranger Guided Nature Hike to celebrate National Park Week! Meet at the Volcano Discovery Center at 9:00 am. Please wear appropriate hiking attire and bring water, snacks, and other supplies for a 4- to 5-mile hike.

For more information about National Park Week programs at Valles Caldera, check out our Calendar of Events!



Photo description: A park ranger hiking through Valles Caldera. (NPS/Monte White)

🌲 National Park Week | August 22–30 🌲Come celebrate at the Caldera!🏔️ Explore🦌Discover 🎨 Create🧘 Move & unwind 🐻 Observe...
08/22/2026

🌲 National Park Week | August 22–30 🌲

Come celebrate at the Caldera!

🏔️ Explore
🦌Discover
🎨 Create
🧘 Move & unwind
🐻 Observe wildlife
🧑‍🚒 Meet a ranger
⭐ Become a Junior Ranger

All week long, enjoy ranger-led programs and drop-in activities for visitors of all ages, from hikes and yoga to wildlife photography, art, games, scavenger hunts, Junior Ranger activities, and more.

Check out the Calendar of Events on our website for more information.

Photo description: Park rangers standing in a crowd of people in the Cabin District. (NPS/Corey Lycopolus)

🏔️ Uh-oh... something is happening at Valles Caldera.🌋 National Park Week is August 22–30, and we're celebrating all wee...
08/22/2026

🏔️ Uh-oh... something is happening at Valles Caldera.🌋

National Park Week is August 22–30, and we're celebrating all week long!

Come hike, explore, create, watch wildlife, play, move, learn, meet a ranger, or just hang out in one of the coolest places around. 🌲🦬

We've got ranger-led programs, special themed days, Junior Ranger activities, games, art, scavenger hunts, and plenty of ways to get involved at your own pace.
Come celebrate your public lands with us. 💚

👉 Check out the calendar for the full lineup of daily events: https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.

Photo description: Two park rangers excitedly jump for joy in Valle Grande. (NPS)

Ranger-Led Yoga: Move Through the Caldera 🧘🌋After a day of exploring Valles Caldera, take an hour to slow down, breathe,...
08/21/2026

Ranger-Led Yoga: Move Through the Caldera 🧘🌋

After a day of exploring Valles Caldera, take an hour to slow down, breathe, stretch, and simply notice.

Join Ranger Natasha for a gentle, ranger-led yoga experience that combines movement, breath, sensory awareness, and interpretation to help you experience the Valle from a different perspective.

No previous yoga experience necessary. All ages and experience levels welcome! Stay for the full hour or join us for as long as you'd like.

We'll have some mats available, but feel free to bring your own and any props you'd like to use (blanket/towel, blocks, etc.)!

📍 Cabin District
🕓 Monday, August 24 at 4 p.m.
⏱️ 60 minutes

National Park Week: America in Motion



Photo description: A woman doing yoga while gazing into Valle Grande. (NPS)

Address

39201 Highway 4
Jemez Springs, NM
87025

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15056701612

Website

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