valles-caldera | NM | Find park

Scattered clouds over landscape view of winding river and brown grasslands

The views of Valles Caldera are some of nature's best

A coyote walks across a frozen stream in a snowy valley.

A coyote crossing the frozen East Fork Jemez River

San Antonio cabin under a mostly cloudy sky

San Antonio Cabin often housed cowboys when the preserve was privately-owned and operating as a ranch.

The fall elk rut is a big attraction for visitors to see bull elk sparing and to hear the bulls bugle.

A narrow stream meanders through a montane grassland.

The East Fork Jemez River overlook is one of the first places that visitors stop for photos.

Physical Address:

39201 New Mexico Highway 4

Jemez Springs, NM 87025

Mailing Address:

090 Villa Louis Martin Dr.

Jemez Springs, NM 87025

contact-details

Phone Number: 505-670-1612 Voice

Email Address: vall_info@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $25.00

The entrance fee for a private vehicle covers seven consecutive days of entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Entrance - Motorcycle: $20.00

The entrance fee for motorcycles covers seven consecutive days of entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Entrance - Per Person: $15.00

The per-person entrance fee covers seven consecutive days of entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park: $45.00

Beginning January 1, 2025, visitors may purchase an annual park pass for Valles Caldera National Preserve.

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.

park designation:National Preserve

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Valle Grande Main Entrance - Summer Season

Valle Grande Main Entrance is located at mile marker 39.2 along New Mexico Highway 4. Summer hours are in effect from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Please visit Valles Caldera National Preserve's website at www.nps.gov/vall for the most up-to-date information.

Exceptions:

December 25th (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

Labor Day to Memorial Day (September 1, 2024 - May 26, 2025)

Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Weather Information:

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.