Parks / Valles Caldera National Preserve
Valles Caldera National Preserve
National Preserve · NM
About 1.2 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created a 14-mile-wide circular depression in the earth now known as Valles Caldera. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich ranching history.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (2)
Backcountry route open to vehicles May 15 - November 15
Valles Caldera's backcountry road system opens to vehicles on Friday, May 15, 2026. Forty vehicles passes will be issued per day through November 15, when the route closes for the 2026 season. Passes may be reserved up to 3 months in advance at Recreation.gov. Any remaining daily passes will be available on a first come, first served basis in the Volcano Discovery Center.
Trail closure for pipeline restoration project
The VC09/South Valle Toledo/Posos Trail from the Valle Toledo parking area to the eastern park boundary is closed for restoration. The NPS is working on a trail reroute and will provide details as soon as possible.
Entrance Fees
Starting January 1, 2025, Valles Caldera National Preserve will begin selling annual park passes and America the Beautiful interagency passes.
Upcoming Events
The Valles Caldera Eruption Experience
Aug 31, 2026 · This experience takes place at the Volcano Discovery Center, located in the Cabin District approximately 4 miles into the park from NM-4.
Making Art in the Dark
Sep 18, 2026 · This presentation takes place at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center Planetarium in Los Alamos, NM.
Instant Film Photography Program
Sep 20, 2026 · This program begins at the Volcano Discovery Center, located in the Cabin District approximately 4 miles down the park road from the main entrance.
Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta
Sep 25, 2026 · The Cabin District is approximately 4 miles down the park road from NM-4.
Things to Do
Bike the Alamo Canyon to Valle Seco Lasso
The Alamo Canyon to Valle Seco Lasso is a 13.5-mile bike route through the western portion of Valles Caldera National Preserve. This ride features 1,800 feet of elevation gain and a speedy final descent through the park's densest concentration of geothermal features.
Bike the Redondo Foothills Loop
The Redondo Foothills Loop is a moderately strenuous, 9.5-mile bike route beginning in the Cabin District. This ride features flowy descents, 771 feet of climbing, and great views of Valle Grande.
Bike the Valle Grande Loop
This bike route loops around Valle Grande, providing spectacular views along the entire route.
Cross-Country Skiing in Valles Caldera
Winter is a spectacular time to visit Valles Caldera National Preserve. The park has miles of groomed trails for the adventurous skier.
Fish in Valle San Antonio
San Antonio Creek is famous throughout New Mexico for wild brown trout and beautiful scenery. Reserve your backcountry vehicle pass to fish this stream seasonally from May 15 - November 15.
Fish San Antonio Creek
San Antonio Creek is famous throughout New Mexico for wild brown trout and beautiful scenery. Reserve your backcountry vehicle pass to fish this stream seasonally from May 15 - November 15.
Fish the East Fork Headwaters
Hike or bike the Rincon Trail to the East Fork headwaters, where wild rainbow trout and browns predominate.
Fish the East Fork in Hidden Valley
Hike the Jemez River Trail to Hidden Valley, where the Rio Grande chub, Rio Grande sucker, and longnose dace are the dominant fish species.
Fish the East Fork Jemez River
A picturesque and meandering stream, wild rainbow trout and browns can be found in the headwaters of the East Fork of the Jemez River. Rio Grande suckers and Rio Grande chubs predominate elsewhere.
Fish the Headwaters of San Antonio Creek
San Antonio Creek is famous throughout New Mexico for wild brown trout and beautiful scenery. Reserve your backcountry vehicle pass and drive to Valle Toledo to fish this stream's headwaters!
Fish the Middle Jaramillo Creek
Jaramillo Creek is the middle of the three fishable streams in Valles Caldera. The middle section of the creek runs from Cerro Pinon upstream to the Cerro Abrigo Trailhead.
Fish the Upper Jaramillo Creek
The upper stretch of Jaramillo Creek offers a challenge for anglers with the reward of catching some truly large brown trout. The creek meanders through the lush Valle Jaramillo, which creates pools and overhanging banks for trout to hide in.
Hike the Cabin District Interpretive Trail
The Cabin District Interpretive Trail is a gentle, 0.6-mile round-trip route through the historic ranch headquarters for Baca Land & Cattle Company. It takes 30-60 minutes to complete. Leashed pets are welcome.
Hike the Cerro Abrigo Loop
This 7.2-mile (11.6 km) loop gently ascends a lava dome and then contours around it, offering great views of the eastern half of the caldera. This hike takes 3-4 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the Cerro Del Medio Loop
This 13.8-mile (22.2 km) loop circles Cerro Del Medio, Valles Caldera's oldest lava dome. The hike takes 7-8 hours. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the Cerro La Jara Loop
The Cerro La Jara Loop is a gentle, 1.4-mile hike around Valles Caldera's smallest and youngest volcanic dome. The hike takes approximately 1 hour. Leashed pets are permitted.
Hike the Cerro Seco Loop
The Cerro Seco Loop is a strenuous, 11.2-mile round-trip hike that circles a lava dome with fantastic views of the caldera's north rim. It takes 5-6 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the Garita Trail
The Garita Trail is a 7.6-mile round-trip hike to the northern rim of Valles Caldera. It takes 3-4 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the Indios Creek Trail
The Indios Creek Trail is a 7.8-mile round-trip hike that follows a creek to the northern boundary of the park. It takes about 4 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the Jemez River Trail
The Jemez River Trail (formerly Hidden Valley Trail) is a 3.4-mile round-trip hike into a picturesque canyon along the East Fork Jemez River. The hike takes 1-2 hours. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the Northwest Rim Trail
At 18.6 miles round-trip, the Northwest Rim Trail is ideal for trail runners. At an average hiking pace, it takes 9-10 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the Rabbit Mountain Loop
The Rabbit Mountain Loop (2.9 miles, 4.7 km round-trip), formerly known as the Coyote Call Trail, contours along the southern rim of the caldera, offering great views of Valle Grande and Redondo Peak. The loop takes 1-2 hours. Leashed pets are permitted.
Hike the Rabbit Ridge Trail
The Rabbit Ridge Trail is a 2.4-mile round-trip hike that climbs to the south rim of Valles Caldera. It takes 1-2 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the San Antonio Mountain Trail
The San Antonio Mountain Trail is a strenuous, 11-mile round-trip hike that climbs to the summit of San Antonio Mountain. It takes 5-6 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the South Mountain Trail
The South Mountain Trail is an 8.2-mile round-trip hike that climbs to the summit of South Mountain. The hike takes 4-5 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the South Valle Grande Trail
The South Valle Grande Trail is a 2-mile round-trip hike that descends to the edge of Valle Grande, offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The hike takes 1-2 hours. Leashed pets are permitted.
Hike the Sulphur & Alamo Canyon Loop
The Sulphur & Alamo Canyon Loop is a strenuous, 12.2-mile trail through Valles Caldera's geothermal areas. It takes approximately 6 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike the Valle Grande Exploration Trail
The Valle Grande Exploration Trail (formerly known as the Pond Trail) is a gentle, 0.8-mile round-trip hike to a pond in the heart of Valle Grande. It takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Pets are not permitted.
Hike to History Grove
Located about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) beyond the Volcano Discovery Center, History Grove is one of the last remaining pockets of old-growth forest in Valles Caldera National Preserve.
Hike to Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs—a site bubbling with geothermal activity—is accessed via a 1-mile (1.6-km) round-trip hike on the Sulphur Creek Trail. This hike takes approximately 30-60 minutes. Pets are not permitted.
Visitor Centers
- Volcano Discovery Center
Webcams
Source: National Park Service.