Everything you need to plan a great trip to Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico. What to see, things to do, and how to get there.

Valles Caldera National Preserve is located in Northern New Mexico approximately 50 miles from Sante Fe.

Valles Caldera National Preserve

The 88,900-acre preserve is open year-round but winters can be severe in this area.

Nearly 1.2 million years ago a volcano collapsed causing a nearly 12-mile crater. Within the caldera, you can find wooded mountains, streams, grasslands, and abundant wildlife.

New Mexico's second-largest elk herd can be found in Valles Caldera NP.

The National Park Service took over the 140 square mile tract of land from the U.S. Forest Service in 2014.

This is a great outdoor park for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and ranger programs.

During the winter you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Visit the visitor center

The visitor center for Valles Caldera National Preserve is small but filled with great info.

There is a small fireplace that was going during our visit and felt amazing. It was a cold windy day and we could have easily sat by the fireplace for hours.

Look for Wildlife

Valles Caldera Preserve is home to 51 species of mammals, 117 birds, 6 reptiles, 3 amphibians, and 6 fish.

We sadly did not see any wildlife during our visit but heard that a lot of people see elk and Gunnison prairie dogs.

We did see bluebirds and ravens along with other birds in the valley.

Camera Gear we use

We are big fans of using great camera gear to get amazing photos while traveling.

Canon R5 - We recently upgraded to the R5 after using a Mark 5 for years. We are loving the camera shutter speed and quality of images.

Canon 100 - 500mm - We use the Canon 100-500 for wildlife photography.

Camera Rain Cover - A rain cover will help protect your camera during rain showers but also when photographing waterfalls.

Camera Cleaning Kit - Cameras can get dirty, beat up, and dusty while in the parks. We like having a cleaning kit with us so we can do on the spot touch ups.

Extra Camera Batteries - We suggest always having one or two extra camera batteries with you. There is nothing worse than going to take a shot and the battery dies.

Extra Memory Cards - We use Extreme PRO SanDisk cards

Things to know when planning a trip to Valles Caldera National Preserve

Be aware that road surfaces into and throughout the Valles Caldera are gravel and dirt.

There is no camping within Valles Caldera National Preserve

Food, gas, lodging, and similar services are not available in Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Park address

39201 New Mexico Highway 4
Jemez Springs, NM 87025

Valle Grande Main Entrance is located at mile marker 39.2 along New Mexico Highway 4.

Park Hours - The Valle Grande Visitor Center is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily

The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day!

Park Fees - $25 per vehicle

$10 per person aged 16 and older entering into the preserve by foot, bicycle, horse, or non-commercial bus

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Pets

Pets are only allowed in the parking area at the Valle Grande Contact Station and hiking on the La Jara trail, Valle Grande trail, and Coyote Call trail.

Pets must be on a leash that is less than 6 feet in length.