Valles Caldera National Preserve
Protected park · NM, USA
Valles Caldera National Preserve in NM, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Usual hours
- Mon–Sun 9:00–17:00
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
This park's official page lists: Drinking water, Picnic areas.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.
At the park
- Valles Caldera National Preserve
Events
- The Valles Caldera Eruption Experience
- Wildlife Photography
- Making Art in the Dark
- Instant Film Photography Program
- Creature Feature: Life History of the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse
- Dr. Craig Allen: "Ecological Changes in the Jemez Mountains Landscape"
- Dr. Kirt Kempter: "The Geology of Valles Caldera, New Mexico"
- Dr. Nelia Dunbar: "New Mexico Volcanism"
- Ranger Program: "Animals of Valles Caldera's Past"
- Valle Grande After Hours
- Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta
- Music in the Valle
- National Public Lands Day Volunteer Activity
- Ranger Program: Parkitecture
- Ranger-Led Mindfulness Yoga
- Valles Caldera’s Excellence in Volunteerism Award Ceremony
- Cultural Demonstration by Marcus Moquino
- Hoop Dancing Workshop by Ben Shendo
- Traditional Pueblo Dance by Cloud Eagle
- Walter Dasheno: "Kha’po Oweenge and our Bridge to the Valles Caldera"
- Rug Tufting Demo & Tutorial
- Caldera Reverie: Artistic Visions from a Volcanic Landscape
Before you go
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- Park alert: 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.
- Park alert: 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.
- Getting there
- From Jemez Springs, NM: Follow NM-4 north. The Preserve is about 22 miles from Jemez Springs. Look for the Main Gate and signs at Mile Marker 39.2. From Los Alamos, NM: Take Trinity Drive to Diamond. Take a left on Diamond, then a right on West Jemez Road to the intersection with NM-4. Take a right [away from Bandelier National Monument], following the highway up and into the Jemez Mountains. The Preserve is 18 miles up NM-4 from Los Alamos. Look for the Main Gate and signs at Mile Marker 39.2.
- Weather & when to go
- Each season offers a different experience: lush springs, moderate summers, golden falls, and snowy winters. Average temperatures are 22°F (-6 C) in January and 60°F (16 C) in July. Temperature extremes range from a high of 84°F (29 C) in summer to -30°F (-34C) in winter. Precipitation is heavier during summer monsoon rains (thunderstorms) in July and August and winter snowstorms in December through March. Higher elevation lends to much cooler temperatures than nearby Albuquerque.
- Visitor center
- Birding By Car Stop 4
- Visitor center
- Birding By Car Stop 4
- Visitor center
- Birding By Car Stop 4
- Visitor center
- Birding By Car Stop 4
- Visitor center
- Birding By Car Stop 5
- Visitor center
- Birding By Car Stop 5
- Visitor center
- Birding By Car Stop 5
- Visitor center
- Historic Cabin District
- Visitor center
- Historic Cabin District
- Visitor center
- Historic Cabin District
- Visitor center
- NM State Route 4 Pullouts
- Visitor center
- Stop 1: Entrance Plaza
Facilities on the park map
6 bench, 2 defibrillator, 4 first aid kit, 6 picnic area, 13 restroom, 22 visitor information.
History
- Opened
- 2000
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Park opened