Valles Caldera National Preserve
Hours
Open daily · 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance Fee
$25.00
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Trailie
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Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Valles Caldera National Preserve plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Valles Caldera at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 2–4 days
- Don't miss
- Take a Scenic Drive through Valle Grande
- Nearby city
- Jemez Springs, NM
Explore this park
Alerts(3)
Fire restrictions: Stage II
NPS detailsStarting at 8:00 am on 6/26/2026, Valles Caldera and the Pueblo Parks Group is entering Stage II fire restrictions to reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires.
Backcountry route open to vehicles May 15 - November 15
NPS detailsValles 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.
Trail closure for pipeline restoration project
NPS detailsThe 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.
Common questions
Planning Valles Caldera National Preserve
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Valles Caldera. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
