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! We expect to add several more programs to this list for the 2024 season.
Guided Walks
Nature Journaling
Dates: May 19, June 2, June 30, July 28
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station
Led by one of our rangers, this program will begin with learning about the natural and geologic history of Valles Caldera. The second portion of this program is designed to introduce participants to the art of nature journaling, offering hands-on learning experience and the opportunity to engage with nature, develop observational skills, and create meaningful connections with the environment. Participants should come prepared for a hike of up to 2 miles on the South Mountain Trail. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own journal/notebook and writing utensil. Program duration will be 1.5 to 2 hours.
Fire History Walks
Dates: June 8, July 6, August 3
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station
This program will focus on the relationship between humans and fire among the ancestral Puebloans, after the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, during the fire suppression era, and in the modern period of massive wildfires. Through learning about this history, participants will understand the long- and short-term causes of the Cerro Grande, Las Conchas, Thompson Ridge, and Cerro Pelado fires. The program will begin at the Ranger Station in the Cabin District and include a short hike out to History Grove, an old-growth ponderosa pine forest. It is approximately 2 hours in duration.
Fishing Programs
Family Flyfishing Clinics
Dates: June 1, June 29, July 20, August 17
Time: 9:45 am to 4:00 pm
Valles Caldera National Preserve and New Mexico Trout are partnering again this summer to offer free fishing clinics for beginner anglers. Registration is required and will open approximately 2 weeks in advance for each clinic.
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
Registration links will activate at 8:00 AM MDT exactly two weeks in advance.
Tenkara Fishing Clinic
Join us on Tuesday, July 2, for an introduction to tenkara fishing. Tenkara is a traditional method of fly fishing that originated in Japan at least 400 years ago. It uses a long rod, usually 8 to 15 feet long, and is primarily used for trout fishing on mountain streams.
The tenkara fishing clinic will include a morning classroom session and an afternoon of guided fishing on San Antonio Creek with park rangers and community partners. Thanks to a grant from the National Park Foundation, this event is free, and all equipment will be provided.
Only 15 spots are available. 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
Registration link will activate at 8:00 AM MDT exactly two weeks in advance.
Fly Tying Lessons
Date: June 15, July 13, August 10, September 7
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Location: Ranger Station
Fly tying is an ancient art that combines elements of science, creativity, art, and sport. Participants will learn the basics of fly tying with a focus on easy-to-tie patterns that can be used for fishing in Valles Caldera. This program is geared towards absolute beginners through intermediate tyers. All people ages 10-and-up are welcome. All materials will be provided and registration is required. The program is approximately 1.5 hours in duration.
Registration links will activate at 8:00 AM MDT exactly two weeks in advance.
Art in the Park
Discover your creative side during an Art in the Park workshop led by Valles Caldera's artists in residence!
Astrophotography Workshops
Dates: May 24 (full moon), June 7 (new moon), July 19 (full moon), August 30 (new moon), September 27 (new moon)
With Valles Caldera National Preserve (an International Dark Sky Park) as an outdoor classroom, photographers Stan Ford and Richard Gonzales will guide program participants through the basics of astrophotography. Learn how to adjust and optimize DSLR camera settings, select a shooting location, and, of course, shoot spectacular images of the night sky. Registration required.
Registration links will activate at 8:00 AM MDT exactly two weeks in advance.
Gesture Drawing Workshop
Date: Sunday, July 7
Time: 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station
Join artist-in-residence Rachel Black for an introductory gesture drawing workshop!
Drawing is a meaningful way to slow down, look carefully and actively, and translate perception to the page. It’s a refreshing antidote to the “point and click” method of archiving our experiences. No previous drawing experience is necessary for folks to make expressive and meaningful sketches which are direct translations of how they see the world.
All supplies will be provided, and participants will take their drawings home after the workshop. Click here for more info.
Layered Landscapes Workshop
Date: Sunday, July 21
Time: 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station
Come make a layered landscape inspired by Valles Caldera National Preserve with artist-in-residence Dr. Heather Heckel. Visitors will plan colors and cut out shapes inspired by local flora, fauna, and geography on translucent paper to create their own layered landscapes. Play with light and overlapping elements in this workshop to make a tangible memory of this special place. Click here for more info.
Nature Journaling Workshop
Date: August 18, August 24
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station
Join artist-in-residence Lisa Spangler for a nature journaling workshop on either August 18 or August 24! Through presentations, demonstrations, and guided practice, participants will learn the art of documenting discoveries in nature on paper with words and sketches. Take home what you create! All supplies will be provided. Click here for more info.
Storytelling Through Objects - creating a communal archive of meaning
Date: September 14
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station
During Storytelling Through Objects – creating a communal archive of meaning, artist-in-residence Melissa Fu will invite participants to bring an object from home that symbolizes what Valles Caldera or the Jemez Mountains mean to them. Possible objects could be photos, keepsakes, art, etc. In small groups, we’ll introduce the objects and tell our stories behind them. Through reflection and discussion, we’ll build a shared understanding of our personal histories around the Valles Caldera area. At the end, we’ll create visual mosaics of the objects that can serve as sources of inspiration for continued conversations. Click here for more info.
Right Here, Right Now - using our immediate surroundings and senses to create shared prose poetry
Date: September 21
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station
During Right Here, Right Now – using our immediate surroundings and senses to create shared prose poetry, artist-in-residence Melissa Fu will invite participants to engage with Valles Caldera by slowing down and spending time with what is right here, right now. Through journaling, sketching, or other art-making, participants will record their thoughts and observations. Then, everybody will come together in small groups to share our noticings and wonderings. As a culmination, we’ll create a series of communal prose poems, celebrating the voices and findings of the day. Click here for more info.
Plein Air Hike
Date: October 12
Time: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Entrance Station
Join artist-in-residence Izzy Anderson for a sunset hike and plein air paint-out on the Cerro La Jara Loop on Saturday, October 12, in conjunction with Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta. Participants should bring their own plein air painting supplies. Total trail distance is 1.4 miles, and elevation change is negligible. Registration required. Click here for more info.
My Traveling Songbook
Date: October 19
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station
Join artist-in-residence Izzy Anderson for a musical performance of "My Traveling Songbook: 10 outdoor-inspired songs for intermediate beginners with accompanying artwork." During this performance, Izzy Anderson will share stories, paintings, and songs from her outdoor adventures, including an original song inspired by her residency at Valles Caldera. She will also guide participants through creating art of their own. Registration required. Click here for more info.
