Valles Caldera

Ranger-led Activities

 
A park ranger leads a long line of snowshoers through a snowy valley with the full moon rising behind them.
Ranger Corey leads a full moon snowshoe hike around Cerro La Jara.

NPS

Summer programs will be announced soon! Please check back in April.


Want to learn more about Valles Caldera's geology, history, wildlife, and more? We invite you to participate in a ranger program during your visit! Valles Caldera National Preserve offers engaging programs all year-round. Check out current and upcoming offerings in the listings below!

Winter Programs

Weekend Snowshoe Hikes

Dates: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from January 20 - March 10
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm (NOTE: On days when the park opens at 11:00 am due to weather delays, this program will begin at noon.)

Join a ranger for a guided snowshoe hike around Cerro La Jara to learn about the many wonders of this world-renowned volcano. Meet at the Entrance Station a few minutes before the start of the program. Bring water and snacks. Wear sturdy shoes. 2 hours and about 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Snowshoe rentals are available at the Entrance Station.

Winter Soundscapes Ski Tour

Dates: January 19, February 9, February 19, and March 9
Time: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Join a National Park Service Ranger for a guided winter tour of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Listen to the sounds of Valles Caldera in the winter and learn about why experiencing nature's soundscape reveals much about the ecosystem. Participants will awaken their senses to the sounds of nature and learn about the forest ecology of Valles Caldera. For this program, guests must bring their own skiing equipment. Rugged cross-country skis or light telemark and alpine touring setups are recommended with fish scale patterns or skins. Split boards are also fine. The tour will leave from Valles Caldera National Preserve's Entrance Station and head up to the Cabin District, out to History Grove, and back - a total of about 4 miles. Registration will open approximately 2 weeks before each program date.

Full Moon Snowshoe Hike

Dates: February 23, March 22
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Join a ranger for a guided moonlit snowshoe experience around Cerro La Jara to learn about cultural connections to Valles Caldera and its nocturnal wildlife. Dress for below-zero temperatures. Bring water and snacks, and wear sturdy shoes. 2 hours and about 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Snowshoe rentals are available for this program. Registration will open approximately 2 weeks before each program date.

REGISTRATION FULL for March 22.

Valles Caldera Winter Fest

Date: Saturday, March 9
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Whether you prefer to be warm and cozy by the fire or outside in the cold and snow, you will discover winter wonderment and fun at Valles Caldera Winter Fest! Roast s'mores over a campfire while a park ranger reads a story. Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee while making winter crafts in the Ranger Station. Compete with other families to make the biggest snowman. Take a guided ski tour to listen to winter soundscapes. All of this and more will be taking place at Valles Caldera Winter Fest on Saturday, March 9.

See the full event schedule.

 
 
Instructors help fishing clinic participants learn how to cast.
Volunteer instructors from New Mexico Trout assist fishing clinic participants with casting practice.

NPS

Flyfishing Clinics

2024 clinic dates to be announced in April

Valles Caldera National Preserve and New Mexico Trout are partnering to offer free fishing clinics for beginner anglers this summer. Registration is required.

Clinics will include classroom instruction, casting practice, and an afternoon of fishing on Valles Caldera's streams. All youth participants must be accompanied by an adult. Participants ages 12 and over must have:

  • a valid NMDGF fishing license
  • a valid Valles Caldera annual fishing permit (permit fees will be waived for this event)
  • a Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV) stamp
 

Night Sky Programs

Night sky programs are offered from May to October in conjunction with the full moon and new moon. Stay tuned for 2024 program dates!

Stargazing in the Caldera

Take in the majesty of the celestial sky and learn about the stars, constellations, and planetary bodies in this International Dark Sky Park. Registration required. Meet at the park's main entrance 15-30 minutes before the start of the program. Bring water, snacks, a red light, telescope, and your own seating. Wear warm clothing. 1.5 hours. Program will be cancelled if inclement weather or cloud cover is forecast.

Moonlit La Jara Walk

Experience the dark side of Valles Caldera and join a ranger for a hike around Cerro la Jara to discover the nocturnal wonders of the park. Registration required. Meet at the park's main entrance 15-30 minutes before the start of the program. Bring water, snacks, and a red light. Wear sturdy shoes and warm clothing. Two hours and about 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Program will be cancelled if inclement weather is forecast.

 
A large group of volunteers and park employees stands in a group and smiles at us from behind a historic cabin.
National Public Lands Day 2022 participants removed sandbags that protected the Cabin District from flash flooding and landslides following the Thompson Ridge Fire.

NPS

National Public Lands Day

Next Event: Saturday, September 28, 2024

Each September, come support the park and spend a day volunteering and exploring beautiful Valles Caldera. We offer different ways to celebrate the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open spaces for education, recreation, and health benefits.

Volunteer Projects

Give a morning of your time to help improve the experience at Valles Caldera. In 2023, volunteers helped construct bumper logs to protect roadside vegetation and ensured a clean environment along NM-4. At the end of the projects, volunteers enjoyed a picnic, received tokens of appreciation, and a day pass to visit a public land area for free.

  • Meeting time and location: 9:15 am at the park's Entrance Station
  • Duration: 3-4 hours

Looking for more ways to get involved at Valles Caldera? Check out Volunteer - Valles Caldera National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

Ranger Programs

Rangers take visitors on a guided walks to learn more about Valles Caldera and the value of public lands.

Yoga in the Park

A ranger-led gentle yoga class outdoors overlooking the majestic Valle Grande that gave visitors a chance to experience the healing benefits of public lands.

 

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Nearby Programs

Want to experience more National Park Service interpretive programs during your visit to the Jemez Mountains? Join ranger at neighboring Bandelier National Monument or Manhattan Project National Historical Park, both approximately 30 minutes east of Valles Caldera.

 

Last updated: March 9, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 359
Jemez Springs, NM 87025

Phone:

505-670-1612
Ranger Station (for general park information)

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