Valles Caldera National Preserve
Information See 2 current alerts
Current alerts (2)
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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 from the park: Backcountry route open to vehicles May 15 - November 15
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Information
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 from the park: Trail closure for pipeline restoration project
Hours
Valle Grande Main Entrance
| Every day | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
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Coming up:
- Nov 26: Thanksgiving Day (closed)
Valle Grande Main Entrance is located at mile marker 39.2 along New Mexico Highway 4.
Visitor centers
Volcano Discovery Center
Volcano Discovery Center
| Every day | 9:00AM - 4:30PM |
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Coming up:
- Nov 26: Thanksgiving Closure (closed)
Winter storms may cause the Volcano Discovery Center to be closed until the road and parking can be plowed.
Events in the next few days
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The Valles Caldera Eruption Experience
· 09:30 AM – 09:45 AM, 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM, 11:30 AM – 11:45 AM, 12:30 PM – 12:45 PM, 01:30 PM – 01:45 PM, 02:30 PM – 02:45 PM, 03:30 PM – 03:45 PM, 04:30 PM – 04:45 PM · This experience takes place at the Volcano Discovery Center, located in the Cabin District approximately 4 miles into the park from NM-4. · Free
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Wildlife Photography
· 09:00 AM – 01:00 PM · Meet at the Volcano Discovery Center. · Free
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Wildlife Photography
· 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Meet at the Volcano Discovery Center. · Free
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Caldera Reverie: Artistic Visions from a Volcanic Landscape
· 11:00 AM – 04:30 PM · The Jemez Fine Art Gallery is located at 17346 NM-4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025. · Free
About this park
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.