Valles Caldera National Preserve
National Preserve · NM
2 noticesfrom the National Park Service
Information · 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.
More informationInformation · 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.
More information
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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/vall
- Location
- Valles Caldera National Preserve (35.917, -106.520)
Track your visit to Valles Caldera National Preserve
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Historic Cabin District
- Volcano Discovery Center
Hours
Valle Grande Main Entrancetoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sat Oct 39:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sun Oct 49:00AM - 5:00PM
- Mon Oct 59:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tue Oct 69:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wed Oct 79:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thu Oct 89:00AM - 5:00PM
- Fri Oct 99:00AM - 5:00PM
Upcoming closures: Nov 26 (Thanksgiving Day)
Valle Grande Main Entrance is located at mile marker 39.2 along New Mexico Highway 4.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
1
- Volcano Discovery Centertoday: 9:00AM - 4:30PMDirections
Self-guided tours
7
A Day on the Ranch: Cabin District Tour30–60 minutes · 8 stops
The cabin district stands as a reminder of the ranching past in Valles Caldera. This guided audio tour walks through the average day of a ranch worker, stopping by each historic structure, and explaining its significance to the park and the day in the life of a ranch worker.
Birding by Car4 hours · 5 stops
Welcome to Valles Caldera National Preserve! During this tour, you will be guided to roadside locations where you can observe birds and other wildlife from the comfort of your car. Each stop will include a short list of bird species that you may spot based on the season. Birding by car is accessible, weather-proof, and fun, so grab your binoculars, and let's get started!
Cerro La Jara Geology Tour1–2 hours · 8 stops
Welcome to the Cerro La Jara Trail at Valles Caldera National Preserve. This trail is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and will likely take 1 to 2 hours to complete. The elevation change is small – about 50 feet. Take some drinking water with you and as always, be aware of your surroundings and the weather. This tour will focus on the geology you see, and help you imagine some you can’t see. To begin, tap "Start Audio Tour" and turn on your location; then proceed to the trailhead.
Hemish Connections Driving Tour
Entrance fees
4
- Private Vehicle — $25.00
The entrance fee for a private vehicle covers seven consecutive days of entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve.
- Motorcycle — $20.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Per Person — $15.00
The per-person entrance fee covers seven consecutive days of entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve.
- Annual Entrance - Park — $45.00
Beginning January 1, 2025, visitors may purchase an annual park pass for Valles Caldera National Preserve.