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Valles Caldera National Preserve

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Valles Caldera National Preserve

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About 1.2 million years ago, a cataclysmic volcanic eruption caused the earth's surface to collapse, forming the 14-mile-wide Valles Caldera.
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Today, the National Park Service preserves this fascinating New Mexico landscape and shares its story. Page Expectations and Guidelines:

Welcome to Valles Caldera National Preserve's page. We hope this will become a place where fans feel comfortable sharing information and experiences about Valles Caldera National Preserve with one another. While this is an open forum, it is also a family friendly one, so please keep your comments and wall posts clean. Please be considerate of other fan's opinions. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here. If you do not comply, your message will be removed. We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions, nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization. We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. Such posts and/or links are subject to deletion. People who continue to post such content and/or links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. We do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Posting of external links on this site that are intended as advertising (or to drive traffic to websites unrelated to Valles Caldera National Preserve), or do not contribute to dialog and discussions about Valles Caldera National Preserve may be deleted. People who continue to post such links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. External links do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. National Park Service or the U.S. Department of Interior.

10/29/2026

During National Public Lands Day, we held our first annual Volunteer-in-Parks Awards Ceremony. We presented Certificates of Appreciation, a Length of Service award, and an Excellence in Volunteer Service award. Volunteers in attendance also received a Valles Caldera challenge coin.

Gary and Nina Thayer were presented with the Length of Service award, and Bruce Newton and Benjamin Green received the Excellence in Volunteer Service awards.

As Visitor Services Volunteers for the past 10 years, the Thayers have collectively greeted and shared their knowledge with thousands of park visitors. Gary is a fixture in our Friday operations at the Volcano Discovery Center, and Nina gives weekly wildflower walks during the summer months. According to Gary, “We had driven past this landscape for decades before it became public land. Volunteering was our opportunity to come in and really get to know Valles Caldera.”

Bruce Newton is a member of New Mexico Trout, a nonprofit organization. He has assisted with Valles Caldera’s family fishing clinics and fisheries surveys for many years, contributing his time and talents to the park’s education and resource stewardship efforts. Bruce says, “The positive energy that I feel when I volunteer here is really gratifying to me. The staff at Valles Caldera have been so helpful and appreciative of our support. They make it easy to continue volunteering...”

Benjamin Green is a local artist and angler who is involved in New Mexico Trout’s volunteer efforts at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Alongside Bruce, Benjamin played a significant role in coordinating volunteer coverage for family fishing clinics and fisheries surveys in the park.

Gary, Nina, Bruce, and Benjamin - Congratulations, and thank you! We couldn’t do it without you!

Photo descriptions: 1. Gary and Nina Thayer with their 10-year length of service award. (NPS/Richard Gonzales) 2. Bruce Newton with his Excellence in Volunteer Service award. (NPS/Richard Gonzales) 3. Superintendent Jorge Silva-Banuelos presents the Thayers with their award. (NPS/Stan Ford)

10/27/2026

There are several job opportunities open at Valles Caldera! Visit USAJobs.gov to learn more and apply.

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
- Wildland Firefighter, Career Seasonal GW-0456-03/04/05 (3 positions for Los Alamos; announcement closes 10/30/2026)

𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
- Biological Science Technician (Plants) GS-0404-06/07 (Closes 10/27 or at 750 applicants)

- Maintenance Worker WG-05 & WG-07 (Closes 11/02 or at 700 applicants)

- Maintenance Worker (Trails) WG-05 & WG-07 (Closes 11/02 or at 500 applicants)

- Wildland Fire Fighter (Multiple Crew Types) GW-0456-03/04/05 (Closes 11/3)

Photo description: A maintenance worker operating machinery to build a new trail. (NPS/Corey Lycopolus)

10/26/2026

At Valles Caldera National Preserve, we like to make sure our volunteers feel appreciated. What better way to do that than to celebrate their accomplishments?

This year, 250 volunteers contributed over 6,000 hours to Valles Caldera. Let’s look at some highlights!

• Artist-in-Residence: Each year, we select a handful of artists to come out to the park for a two- to four-week residency to create art inspired by Valles Caldera. This season, we had two photographers, a mixed media artist, an illustrator, a printmaker, and a fiber artist. The number of applications we received nearly doubled from 2025!

• Bike Ambassadors: This season, our bike ambassador volunteers rode 12 different trails, covered 345 miles, and completed 18 rides to assess trail conditions and assist park visitors.

• Dendroglyph Survey: Our dendroglyph volunteers found 181 glyphs on 145 trees, logged nearly 200 miles, and surveyed approximately 345 acres. In addition, this team had a record-breaking survey, finding 41 glyphs in a single day, one of which was carved almost exactly 100 years ago to the day.

• Trail Maintenance: Our trail volunteers had 10 workdays and maintained a total of 14 miles. They completed 2.5 miles of work in Valle Toledo, 2 miles in Alamo Canyon, and 9.5 miles in Banco Bonito.

Next time you visit the park and see a volunteer at work, be sure to thank them for their service. They deserve it!

Photo descriptions: 1. Two bike ambassador volunteers during a rove. (NPS/Fred Simmank) 2. A dendroglyph volunteer recording a glyph. (NPS/Raelyn Toya) 3. A fishing volunteer instructing a youth participant in flycasting. (NPS/Irene Owsley) 4. Two volunteer geologists providing seasonal training at Obsidian Valley. (NPS/Stan Ford) 5. A visitor services volunteer stands in Valle Grande and smiles. (NPS/Corey Lycopolus)

10/23/2026

Looking for a hike at Valles Caldera with fall colors that are still hanging on?

The Cabin District Interpretive Trail is a gentle, 0.6-mile route traversing the historic ranch headquarters for Baca Land & Cattle Company. Interpretive signs along the trail describe each building and its purpose in the ranching operation that persisted here for nearly a century. The aspen trees on this route will likely reach their peak fall color this weekend, so now is a great time to visit!

To reach the trailhead, drive 4 miles down the entrance road to the Cabin District. Turn left and park in the parking area. The trail begins at the farther parking lot and heads toward the Cowboy Cabin, which is just south of the Volcano Discovery Center. Click the link in the comments for more information!

Photo description: An interpretive sign attached to a wooden footbridge on the Cabin District Trail. (NPS)

10/22/2026

Come and experience an immersive simulation of the Valles Caldera eruption!

Every hour on the half-hour, the Volcano Discovery Center "erupts" with a multisensory experience that showcases the past 1.2 million years of geologic history at Valles Caldera. Feel the rumble and quaking of the earth. Hear the explosive volcanic forces that created the 14-mile-wide caldera. Watch the subsequent formation of lakes and lava domes. At the end of the show, bask in a newfound understanding of this unique landscape, and discover more by interacting with the exhibit.

WARNING: This show includes loud explosion sound effects and flashing lights. For individuals with sensory sensitivities, we recommend visiting the Volcano Discovery Center after the show has concluded (at :35 past the hour). Ask a park ranger about how to experience a sensory-friendly version of the eruption show!

Photo description: A crowd gathers around Valles Caldera's 3D exhibit. (NPS/Stan Ford)

10/17/2026

Today is the day! Please join us at the Jemez Fine Art Gallery in Jemez Springs from 1-4 pm for the opening reception of Caldera Reverie: Artistic Visions from a Volcanic Landscape.

This two-week-long art exhibition is dedicated to the sleeping supervolcano in our backyard. This show features original pieces by 8 past and present Artists in Residence at Valles Caldera National Preserve: Rachel Black, Spencer Creighton, John Decker, Mark D**e, Heather Heckel, Emily McIlroy, Mary Roalstad, & Jim Weaver.

During the opening reception this afternoon, the featured artists will offer interactive art demos including make-and-take relief prints, a collaborative rug tufting project, tooled leather printmaking, and armature building for wildlife sculpture. Come for the exhibition; stay for the fun!

Image description: "Pika," a relief print by 2026 Artist in Residence John Decker.

10/17/2026

Valles Caldera National Preserve’s traveling art exhibition—Caldera Reverie: Artistic Visions from a Volcanic Landscape—will be on display at Jemez Fine Art in Jemez Springs for the next two weeks. This exhibition features 22 original, Valles Caldera-inspired pieces by 8 artists.

Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, October 17, from 1-4 pm. Four of the exhibition’s featured artists will be offering interactive demos including make-and-take relief prints, a collaborative rug tufting project, tooled leather printmaking, and wire armature building for wildlife sculpture. If you are coming through the canyon for the Jemez Mountain Trail Sale or otherwise, we would love to see you!

Many thanks to Los Amigos de Valles Caldera for sponsoring this show and being such integral supporters of Valles Caldera’s Artist in Residence program.

Image description: A flyer for the Caldera Reverie art exhibition featuring an original painting titled "Backcountry" by 2024 artist in residence Rachel Black.

10/16/2026

Where is the best place to see the fall colors in Valles Caldera?

Over the past few days, we've shared ranger recommendations for leaf peeping in the park. Scroll back through those posts for more details! Keep reading this post for a summary.

Scenic Driving: New Mexico State Route 4 winds through Valles Caldera National Preserve from mile marker 30 to 43. This scenic driving route is filled with fall color right now. Pack your camera and some snacks, and don't forget to stop at the Valle Grande overlooks to watch and listen for bugling elk!

Front-country Trails: The Rabbit Mountain Loop (2.9 miles) features aspens at peak fall color right now. Aspen trees along the Cabin District Interpretive Trail (0.6 miles) are just starting to change and will likely be at peak fall color in the next 2 weeks. Both of these trails are pet-friendly, so your leashed four-legged friends are welcome to come along!

Backcountry Trails: The north side of the Cerro Abrigo Loop (7.2 miles) is covered in young aspen trees that are at peak fall color now. The Indios Creek Trail (7.8 miles) and San Antonio Mountain Trail (11 miles) contain mature aspen stands that will be showing off for another week or so. Please note that vehicular access to these trailheads requires a backcountry pass, which can be reserved on Recreation.gov. Valles Caldera's backcountry route will remain open to vehicular traffic until November 15.

Photo description: Fall colors observed from the Cerro Abrigo Loop on October 12, 2026. (NPS/Raelyn Toya)

10/15/2026

Our next stop on the ranger-recommended fall color tour of Valles Caldera National Preserve is the San Antonio Mountain Trail!

This strenuous, 11-mile (17.7 km) out-and-back hike heads south from Valle San Antonio, up a narrow drainage, and then steadily climbs to 9,922 feet near the summit of San Antonio Mountain. The views from the top are incredible. Along the way, quaking aspen trees pop with color among the spruce-fir-dominated slopes.

Please note that a backcountry pass is required to drive to the trailhead in Valle San Antonio. You may reserve your pass online at Recreation.gov. Otherwise, same-day passes may be available in the Volcano Discovery Center. An alternate trailhead that does not require a backcountry pass is the Sulphur Creek Trailhead off of Forest Road 105; this route is a total of 3 miles longer.

Photo descriptions: 1. Bright yellow aspen trees and leaves scattered on the slope of San Antonio Mountain. 2. The view toward Redondito from San Antonio Mountain. (NPS/Fred Simmank)

10/14/2026

Next stop on our ranger-recommended fall color tour of Valles Caldera: Rabbit Mountain! There are two spectacular hiking trails on Rabbit Mountain:

1. The Rabbit Mountain Loop (2.9 miles, 4.7 km round-trip) is a pet-friendly hiking trail that offers great views of Valle Grande and Redondo Peak. The trail passes through shady aspen groves, open meadows, and parts of the Las Conchas wildfire burn scar.

2. The Rabbit Ridge Trail (2.4 miles, 3.8 km round-trip) is an optional spur off of the Rabbit Mountain Loop that ascends to the south rim of Valles Caldera. At the trail's summit is the boundary line between Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument, both administered by the National Park Service.

Photo description: A grove of yellow aspen trees interspersed with mixed conifer forest on a mountain slope overlooking Valle Grande and Redondo Peak. (NPS)

Address

39201 Highway 4
Jemez Springs, NM
87025

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15056701612

Website

http://www.nps.gov/vall

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