{"id":"nps-vall","slug":"valles-caldera-national-preserve","name":"Valles Caldera National Preserve","designation":"National Preserve","category":"national-preserve","categoryLabel":"National Preserve","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"VALL","designation":"National Preserve","sourceId":"nps-vall"}],"states":["NM"],"stateNames":["New Mexico"],"location":{"lat":35.91682872,"lon":-106.5195724},"bbox":[-106.6214,35.8276,-106.3997,36.0085],"acres":{"value":89216,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=36.0085&b_tl_lng=-106.6214&b_br_lat=35.8276&b_br_lng=-106.3997","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Valles%20Caldera%20National%20Preserve","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/921E6FBB-90EE-2BF0-6F3D52902F3DA89D.jpg","title":"Wide Open Views of Valles Caldera","alt":"Scattered clouds over landscape view of winding river and brown grasslands","caption":"The views of Valles Caldera are some of nature's best","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8DB2060F-DEE0-EAD7-DE87220D060A15CD.jpeg","title":"Coyote on Thin Ice","alt":"A coyote walks across a frozen stream in a snowy valley.","caption":"A coyote crossing the frozen East Fork Jemez River","credit":"NPS/Corey Lycopolus","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C84ABE7-1DD8-B71B-0BA9D89DC6B7D276.jpg","title":"San Antonio Cabin","alt":"San Antonio cabin under a mostly cloudy sky","caption":"San Antonio Cabin often housed cowboys when the preserve was privately-owned and operating as a ranch.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C84AF3D-1DD8-B71B-0B2FA3C605E6A11D.jpg","title":"Elk Bulls Fighting","alt":"Two bull elk fighting.","caption":"The fall elk rut is a big attraction for visitors to see bull elk sparing and to hear the bulls bugle.","credit":"NPS Photo / Dan Williams","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8D6CBE97-98D3-EDE2-2F0AF5FBD451BA18.jpg","title":"East Fork","alt":"A narrow stream meanders through a montane grassland.","caption":"The East Fork Jemez River overlook is one of the first places that visitors stop for photos.","credit":"NPS/Irene Owsley","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Mountain Biking","Road Biking","Fishing","Freshwater Fishing","Fly Fishing","Food","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Self-Guided Tours - Auto","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Off-Trail Permitted Hiking","Horse Trekking","Horseback Riding","Hunting and Gathering","Hunting","Junior Ranger Program","Skiing","Cross-Country Skiing","Snowshoeing","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","Archeology","Explorers and Expeditions","Farming and Agriculture","Ranches","Hispanic American Heritage","Industry","Logging and Timber Cutting","Latino American Heritage","Native American Heritage","Schools and Education","Science, Technology and Innovation","Transportation","Tragic Events","Catastrophic Fires","Westward Expansion","Animals","Birds","Cats (wild)","Elk","Fish","Climate Change","Fire","Foothills, Plains and Valleys","Forests and Woodlands","Coniferous Forests","Geology","Groundwater","Freshwater Springs","Geothermal","Grasslands","Meadows","Mountains","Natural Sounds","Night Sky","Astronomy","River and Riparian","Rock Landscapes and Features","Scenic Views","Trails","Unique Species","Rare","Endangered","Volcanoes","Watersheds","Headwaters","Wetlands"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"25.00","description":"The entrance fee for a private vehicle covers seven consecutive days of entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"20.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"The per-person entrance fee covers seven consecutive days of entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"45.00","description":"Beginning January 1, 2025, visitors may purchase an annual park pass for Valles Caldera National Preserve."}],"hours":[{"name":"Valle Grande Main Entrance","description":"Valle Grande Main Entrance is located at mile marker 39.2 along New Mexico Highway 4.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","monday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","thursday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","sunday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","tuesday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","friday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM","saturday":"9:00AM - 5:00PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"thursday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Summer Hours","start":"2027-05-31","end":"2027-09-06","hours":{"wednesday":"8:00AM - 6:00PM","monday":"8:00AM - 6:00PM","thursday":"8:00AM - 6:00PM","sunday":"8:00AM - 6:00PM","tuesday":"8:00AM - 6:00PM","friday":"8:00AM - 6:00PM","saturday":"8:00AM - 6:00PM"}}]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"505-670-1612","email":"vall_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Volcano Discovery Center","description":"An interactive exhibit allows you to experience the caldera-forming eruption. Interpretive signs and viewing scopes allow further exploration. Park store offers clothing, gifts, books, and snacks. Accessible parking and ramp are at the building's rear entrance.","url":"","lat":35.86438952202784,"lon":-106.51895703889164}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"jemez-national-recreation-area","km":19},{"slug":"manhattan-project-national-historical-park","km":20},{"slug":"santa-fe-national-forest","km":21},{"slug":"bandelier-national-monument","km":23},{"slug":"kasha-katuwe-tent-rocks-national-monument","km":30},{"slug":"carson-national-forest","km":77}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=vall"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.623Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Backcountry route open to vehicles May 15 - November 15","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/bc.htm","updated":"2026-05-15 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-23CFADBF-CE33-46A9-8AC6-7F6CBCCB99D9"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Trail closure for pipeline restoration project","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/vall/learn/news/2024-24.htm","updated":"2025-11-20 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-4473B4B5-487B-4806-8FB3-299C22FC2522"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/valles-caldera-national-preserve/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/valles-caldera-national-preserve.geojson"}