Valles Caldera National Preserve Reviews

We dropped in to visit Longmire's front yard, and almost missed out as they don't allow vehicles in after 3 PM. But the rangers took pity on us and said we could walk the mile or so there, if we could get back by 5 PM. It was cold with laden snow clouds and windchill, so off course we set off in our Aussie T-shirts, but I did have a pair of cotton socks for mittens. We saw coyote, lots of little varmints, and mountain bluebirds. But the Valles itself is too magical to describe - I hope to return one day, in a ski jacket.

This is one of the newest "parks" ~ actually a "preserve" ~ in the national system, & they're just getting organized with lots of plans for the future. It's remote ~ along the Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway ~ & well worth the stop as long as you don't want or need lots of amenities & hand-holding.
The first thing you see coming along the highway is an enormous, gorgeous, rolling open "field," which you assume is the caldera... until you learn it's only a small part of the actual caldera, which encompasses 13 miles of open, wooded, hilly country. Yes, the 2-mile drive to the teeny Visitor Center is rough with potholes; you can walk it if you want to, or just gaze from the highway (thus missing the real "feel" of the place). The VC was open & we had a nice long talk with a very helpful ranger. The backcountry roads were recently closed for the winter, but you could get permits to wander, fish & so on. We definitely want to return to explore more deeply.
There's a beautiful, ramshackle, abandoned ranch house on a bench above the open valley & we were interested in its history. But it turns out it was a movie set (The Missing), which kind of took away from it's value for us, tho it's still very scenic. There are no amenities other than restrooms; no food or drink available. And it would be smart to call or look online ahead of time to be certain the main gate & Visitor Center are open if you're interested in getting off the highway.

Schedule a tour to see most of the caldera; you cannot go past the visitor center otherwise. If you just want a short hike (90 min) around the "cerro" next to the visitor center, go late to see more wildlife. But they close at six. The staff are really knowledgeable and helpful.

We spent half a day visiting Valles Caldera and Valle Grande (within Valles Caldera). The place is beautiful! We first saw a huge herd of elk at Valle Grande. We then took the road through Valles Caldera to the small visitor center. We saw loads of prarie dogs and a coyote who was eyeing the prarie dogs. I'd gotten out of the car to take a photo so the coyote moved on. Hopefully I saved at least one prarie dog that day. If you're in the area, this is a place worth seeing located in the core of the Jemez Mountains of NM. See attached photos.

My wife And I took advantage of the "Ranch Road Ramble in July of 2014. It was an amazing experience; rolling hills peppered with pines, the Rio San Antonio winding through the back country mesas was completely magical.

We were simply passing through the area on our way from Los Alamos to Chama, NM but so glad we took the time to drive through the preserve in the hope of spotting some elk We unfortunately didn't, but the scenery and natural beauty made up for the lack of animals. Want to spend more time here for sure!

In a state with no shortage of spectacular landscapes, the Valles Caldera ranks as perhaps New Mexico's most magnificent patch of scenery. The crater of a massive volcano that once exploded with force several times that of Mount St. Helens, this former working cattle ranch offers a breathtaking outdoor experience, whatever one's interest. A well-graded road leads from the visitors' center for a dozen miles deep into the park, while hiking trails branch out in every direction. It's a photographer's dream in any season, especially the fall, when the surrounding aspens turn gold. Elk can be found here by the thousands in mating season, and their trumpeting, once heard, is not soon forgotten.

After leaving Bandelier National Monument we saw Valles Caldera National Preserve on the map. This preserve encompasses the huge caldera of an extinct volcano. Since it looked interesting we drove the 14 miles of mountain road to get there. Entrance is on a couple of miles of dirt road to a small visitor center. Thinking that was all you could do we went in and the ranger asked if we wanted on of the 35 back country permits they issue each day. Thinking these were for hikers we said we were in a car. The ranger told us there were miles of back country roads we could drive. It was a gorgeous cool sunny day so off we went with our permit. Never saw so many blue birds - flocks of them, a coyote, beautiful hawks and prairie dogs. No elk or bears but the scenery was great. The roads aren't great but just drive slow and enjoy the view. Bonus for fans of the Netflix series Longmire. Walt's cabin is here and part of the show is filmed here in New Mexico not Montana

When you drive up to the preserve you are blown away by the enormous expanse. The caldera was created millions of years ago by a volcano. It is now a beautiful plain filled with elk, coyote, and jack rabbits. You don't really realize how high you were at the top until you drive to the ranger station at the bottom.

Next I drove toward Jimenez Springs from the Bandolier Park. It was a cool drive making sharp turns all the way while climbing higher and higher in elevation!! My goal was to see and experience the famous Jemez Caldera (or the Valles Caldera). It was spectacular driving and seeing it on Rt. 4. As I came out of the green forested area of the mountain a huge expanse of beautiful valley came into view. This was the Caldera, made from a collapsed volcano as the magma was forcefully extruded. The Caldera is about 14 miles in diameter and actually hard to find words to describe!!! It was beautiful!!!!!.....enough said. I took picture after picture of it as I drove down the steep decline to the bottom. There were lots of signs along the way about Elk crossings and that Elks gather in the valley to feed, especially during the winter months. I just could NOT get over the size of this caldera!!!!! This in itself is worth the trip to northern New Mexico!! In the bottom of the Caldera is a small peak called Renaldo Peak. This was formed by a resurgent lava dome and it looks like a pimple on a smooth face!!!! Contiguous with the peak is the Ranger Station which is the entrance to the Valles Caldera National Preserve!!! As I walked in their were so many Prairie Dogs around I could not count them and they actually were very friendly as I got up close to them. This area also is very geo-thermal friendly but it’s not a huge area to cultivate for that reason. There are hot springs, waterfalls and tons of hiking trails!! Very dirty and unkempt road to get back to it though!!! The ranger said there was NO money!!! Very neat place!!!!

This park offers a number of hiking trails among an unusual geologic formation. Other visitors raved about the wildlife, but we saw none. On the other hand, we also saw very few people, just a few in the parking areas and on the road. Great place for peace and quiet and stunning views.

We almost didn't make it because we couldn't find the road out of Los Alamos until we found out we had to pass through the guard station at Los Alamos National Labs. The drive up to the Caldera was beautiful. The prairie dogs were a cute surprise. Walt was not home but the rangers were extremely helpful and friendly.

The Spring was a perfect time to go, lots of wild flowers, good weather, great for birding. The drive is about an hour and a half from Santa Fe, travelling up past Bandolier, beautiful scenery.
Valles Caldera is a unique ancient area formed by volcanic activity. We saw elk a plenty including calves. Coyotes too. But best was the birding and some stunning close views of Mountain Bluebirds.
We got there about 9.45am, and spent the whole day there until closing time, then went up the road to one of the trails that sits on the edge of the park and walked and viewed elk until it was dark. A brilliant day. Make sure you phone in advance as limited amount of cars allowed in per day. The staff there are very knowledgeable.

This relatively easy, loop hike begins off Highway 4 near mile marker 41 across the road from the Caldera. There's not much parking available at the trail head, but there are more spots on the caldera side of the road near a designated overlook area. The hike gradually goes up into a meadow offering panoramic views of the gorgeous Valle Grande across the way, then higher up into a tree line before descending back down into the meadow. If you arrive in the morning (we got there about 8:30 in July) you can often catch the entire valley covered in a glorious fog which burns off in about an hour. Because of recent rains the meadow grass had grown thigh-high in some places which is wonderful for the wildlife but a bit hard to trek through so be prepared for very wet shoes if you hike early due to morning dew. Beautiful wildflowers were in bloom too. All in all a gorgeous, free hike.

We almost stopped at Bandelier but decided we didn't want to spend time on the shuttle bus to get there. Valles Caldera was great. We hiked in the Ponderosa pine forest, saw 60+ elk, 2 coyotes, ravens, raptors, it was just a great day in the out of doors. Not crowded in mid-October, we had most of the area to ourselves.

We went simply to see the Longmire cabin, which is as billed. You have to check in, which is a little cumbersome to simply drive on a road, but the caldera is beautiful.

Up to recently little known, this caldera (huge crater from an ancient volcanic eruption) is truly amazing. It's hard to realize at first sight the scale of it: those tiny brown dots across the caldera might be an elk herd. It has been administered since 2000 by the Dept. of Agriculture, I believe, and is now being transitioned into the National Park Service, with the turnover date being Oct. 1, 2015. As a result services available are in flux. We took a wonderful free van tour (unclear whether it was free because we have the national parks pass, or free for anyone) with an amazing guide, Jim Trout, who was exceedingly knowledgeable about its history from prehistoric times to today, and entertaining as well. This tour, especially with Jim, is highly recommended.

I visit Called Caldera several times a year. Have hiked or walked or biked in. This past visit was a drive-by. Friendly staff when I’ve had questions.

The is an extinct volcano. As you drive you will have climb mountains to reach this area. The drive to get here is beautiful and worth every mile. This valley is a contrast to the other area you drive though. Such a beautiful area. Well worth the drive.

We loved our stop at Valley Caldera, the station is small and the staff very friendly. We did the junior ranger program and it was fun and manageable for our 6 year old. We took a peaceful loop hike that was easy to follow and saw tons of prairie dogs. The. We sat in the rockers at the station and sat in awe of the wide open space and watched the grass wave at us in the breeze.

The is a very scenic place! We saw prairie dogs everywhere and tons of evidence of elk presence. The children loved lassoing the rocking horse and “branding” us at the visitor’s center.

The drive is beautiful and particularly with snow on the ground, but none on the highway. It is full of natural beauty and geographic interest.

Went twice on our trip to Santa Fe. We went for a dark skies event . While it was crowed it was a fantastic event run well by the Park Service. If you get the chance to take in an event like this go ahead and don it.

We took a circle loop from Santa Fe that included Bandalier in the morning and we passed through the Valles Caldera in the early afternoon. Take the extra few minutes to drive to the Visitors Center and ask the rangers to explain the caldera. They have maps and diagrams that put the size and significance of the volcanic area into an incredible perspective. The eruptions buried a huge portion of northern New Mexico under hundreds of feet of ash. The water then carved the magnificent canyons found throughout the Los Alamos area.

Tip: Continue the circle loop and follow 4 West to 126 to Cuba and go north to 96 past Abuquiu Reservoir and South to 84 to 285 and back to Santa Fe. (This is a long day.) For a shorter route, take 4 West to the junction of 126 and continue South on 4 through Jemez Springs, Jemez Pueblo and pick up 550 South to Interstate 25 North.

Drove by the Valles Caldera National Preserve - what a vast beautiful field. Drove down the valley to the visitor center but saw you needed a permit to go further - since it started raining we just turned back around. Saw a prairie dog. Kept driving through the forest to get to soda dam but due to impending rains/floods it was closed. Ensure you have enough gas when driving through this area as there are no gas stations for miles and miles.

Helpful staff at the contact center. There is more to see than what’s on the map! We hiked for hours and rarely saw other hikers.

We took a trip out to the Valles Caldera to see this geologic wonder. We were not disappointed as the wide vista opened out in front of us below the mountains. We took the trail walk around the center island, which took about 45 minutes. We could see all manner of wildflowers, fungi, and grasses growing alongside the walk. The walk is only suitable for people of reasonably good mobility. Well worth the effort.

Valles Caldera National Preserve is such a spectacular place. I have seen some prior reviews complaining about not being able to drive their cars on the preserve roads. These complaints totally miss what is so fantastic about Valles Caldera: that this vast area is left for exploration under your own steam: foot or bike. The preserve provides reasonably priced van service to remote areas of the park. We took the Alamo Shuttle from the Visitors Center to the Jaramillo Trail. After a beautiful six mile hike we were picked up by the North Rim Shuttle and brought back to our car. To the complainers: get out of your car and enjoy the majesty of this sensational area.

In Los Alamos area and decided to drive to see Valles. The drive to the area was impressive. The Valles viewing was special to fully understand its creation. So expansive. The drive from the viewing to the Visitors Center was at least 4 miles! Not many animals seen, but a gopher on the way out. A must see site.

We arrived in the Caldera around 1PM and the gate at the visitor center was shut, so we asked the rangers if could hike to the Longmire Cabin, since we wanted pictures with it. They were very helpful and made sure that we could see it, were oriented, and advised us on muddy spots on the road and how to avoid getting soaked.

The cabin was well worth the visit—you can walk right up to it and get some great pictures. The hike there was only about 2.25 miles and mostly uphill, but nothing strenuous. Photos were just phenomenal.

We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and greenery in spring. We drove through the Mountains to get here from Cuba which was a bad idea. The roads were all muddy from recent storm. Better not to stay in cuba but in Farmington. The views are stunning and you can also see elks. Its a giant crater collapsed millions of years ago. The visitor center at Bandelier has amazing information.

The view was breathtaking! We went on the Magma tour with Carmen. She was not only extremely knowledgeable of the historical significance and ecological progression of the area, but she also included fun current facts about the reserve. It was very reasonably priced for how much we were able to see and learn. There was another jeep tour around the area, however, it was about $300 per person. This is a great way to see the natural beauty of New Mexico and learn about its history without breaking the bank.

Atop the climbing, winding mountain road, the last thing I expected to see was this beautiful sprawling meadow. We spent a few minutes debating where would be the perfect place for a small cabin. The ranger station was well stocked, informative and wee maintained. The rangers were friendly and helpful.

Great spot for a drive. Pack your binoculars and watch for wildlife. The history of the are is very inteersting and its amazing to think you are driving around in a supervolcano. Great photo ops.

On Friday, June 19, my friends and I had an awesome experience at Valle Caldera. JimTrout was our guide on an evening wildlife tour. His knowledge of the animals is extensive. He also is well versed on the history and geology of the Caldera. Jim is a terrific representative for this preserve! Thank you Jim for everything! Patricia Denis Martin. Ph.D.

My wife and I came to visit New Mexico and decided to take a visit to the Valles Caldera National Preserve. It is a vast area to check out. There are plenty of prairie dogs running around and you have to be careful not to step in one of there holes. One thing that I did was I saw some Elk near the edge of the hills in the Caldera. I must have spent over an hour trying to find a way to get closer to take pictures of the Elk. When I finally found a way to by pass the stream that runs through the Caldera, I got close enough to take some good pictures. As I got closer, the Elk started to run away. The Rangers at the park was amazed that I was able to see so many Elk on one place plus there were some baby Elk in the herd. It was an unique experience for me.

My wife and I have driven by Valles Caldera several times but today we decided to explore the area. Access to the preserve beyond the visitors center is restricted to 24 cars each day. Since it was a week day we got lucky and were able to get a permit to drive through the preserve. What formed the caldera is a geological phenomenon; what remains is truly a natural wonder. Taking the backroad drive exposes you to the immense size of the caldera while providing an opportunity to take in beautiful vistas in every direction. If you enjoy natural beauty at its best, spending several hours, or a day at Valles Caldera is a must see attraction when visiting northern New Mexico.

This is a gorgeous huge resource for exploring. Miles of trails provide a great opportunity for hiking or driving to see an abundance of wildlife (elk, cougar, deer, prairie dogs, and more). The staff at the visitor center is knowledgeable and friendly, and give great suggestions for what to see.

This was our first trip to New Mexico at the beginning of Oct. 2014. We missed the tour van at the caldera the first day we arrived and returned the following day. What a great decision we made despite the rather chilly temp (42 degrees) and rain (more about the weather later). Our guide/driver Jim Trout is a native New Mexican; he is extremely friendly and was eager to share his knowledge and expertise and made this 1+ hour trip seem like 15 minutes; he made it so enjoyable. We learned about the geology, history of the caldera as well as the people who have lived here and also about the wildlife. As the tour was concluding the rain stopped and a rainbow that seemed to arise from the ground gave us a magical present. We highly recommend this experience and while you're there plan to visit Bandelier National Monument which is within 45 minutes. One last comment, the gentleman at the visitors' center was also very friendly and knowledgeable and he was the person who suggested on the first day that we'd be well advised to return. So thanks to both of them. BTW- the photo opportunities were fantastic.

When we arrived at the gravel parking lot of the Valles Caldera visitor center, we were greeted by one of the locals. Or barked at. You see, a prairie dog was sticking out of his hole behind our car. But he did not hang around long before going back into his hole.
We found everyone at the visitor center very helpful. They told us that the hike we wanted to do would be a good one for this day. It had not rained for several days and mud should not be a problem.
So, we started out hiking on the road to the Cabin District. We passed through a prairie dog town, and they were all up in alarm. A coyote was coming their way.
It was a 2-mile hike to the cabins on this partly sunny day. Like everyone else, we wanted to visit Walt’s cabin. It is hard to explain, it was everything we expected, but better. With the indescribable views of the valley with the mountains in the distance, who would not want to spend a night or 2 here.
It was soon time to hike back to our car.
We enjoyed our short visit to Valles Caldera. I would love to come back and see if Walt has a spare room.

Located a little ways outside of Los Alamos, Valles Caldera National Monument protects an area containing a vast meadow nestled among the high mountains of northern New Mexico. The main visitor center is located in the middle of the meadow at the end of a dirt road. Dozens of little trails leave from the parking lot. This area offers fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and forests, and the meadow is usually full of animals. We saw a herd of elk and a couple of coyotes hunting near the creek that runs through this meadow. Be aware - this creek and the meadow flood after heavy rains.

If you are in the area visiting Los Alamos, Bandelier National Monument, or Jemez Pueblo, I strongly suggest stopping here and taking a relaxing walk through this wild meadow for an hour or two.

Unexpected beauty
In this area. I didn’t expect this. We drive in on Hwy 4 and had a good view of the Caldera on the drive. I really didn’t expect to be as impressed as I was with the beauty of the caldera. We drive the dirt road out to the visitor center to get my stamp! The rangers were friendly and helpful.

We drove up while looking around the Jemez Springs area and were able to get a permit to drive ourselves around the caldera. The roads weren't that bad, and since they limit traffic, it was very easy to take photos and stop for hikes. The area is huge! The staff at the visitor's center was very nice, and they have a cute cowhand activity for children. The restroom is a porta potty, so be prepared. There is an admission fee, but if you have a national park pass, you can get in for free.

The drive thru the Caldera even in winter is spectacular! We saw Donner Party snow levels (and we live in Big Snow Country) All sorts of scenic views & twisty well maintained roads, would love to do this on the motorcycle come summer. Jemez was closed as we reached there at twilight but it was beautiful, the ruins are easy to see from the road, would love to return when open & warmer. Understand their events are worth planning to attend. Lots of nice summer camps to see in the gorgeous mountain area, some restaurants & a town or two along the road. Spectacular aunset as we drove out! (If you like volcanos- Sunset Crater in Flagstaff AZ is incredible, & there are also spectacular ruins at the other end of that National Park & a nice drive between. El Malpais in New Mexico is also a series of extinct volcano's and hundreds of fumeroles (vents), including Ice Caves that you can get free permits to explore, there is also another caldera outside of the Park with a self guided or Jeep guided tour to the private Ice Cave & deep caldera. The Park caves & tubes are not improved etc. You need proper equipment, the private commercial cave has stairs etc.) The scenery at El Malpais is well worth the trip even without caves etc! Enjoy & support our National Parks, all of them are threatened by the current political regime & have suffered cutbacks & threats from sell offs, hunting, mining, development & water grabs. Get a Parks Pass & go visit!

This at one time was a ranch own by some rich out of state ranchers. I believe they either sold it to the forestry or gave it. It is over a million acres and has day activities such as biking, hiking and fishing by appointment. Camping has just started or soon to start. Hunting for trophy elk and deer by drawings happens in October and November. Many movies have been made in this National Preserve such as Longmire the TV series. During the winter months Cross Country Skiing and snowmobiling are some of the activities.

Anyone whining that this is a place for cows (moo) has no concept of what this place is all about. It's protected from being over run by people for a reason. We've always enjoyed visiting, we live fairly close and it's a great day trip. There are several different van trips covering different areas and subjects regarding the caldera (even one for movie fans!) and if you happen to be there during cattle round up in the fall, it's a lot of fun to watch (maybe more so for me having spent a lot of time in my childhood around cattle). There are countless hikes you can take as well. (We've been here many times but have never left a review, the date I chose was random, but we WERE here last fall during round up!) The geology tour was FANTASTIC, as are the elk tours.

This once restricted area in the Jemez Mountains is now open to a limited number of vehicles each day. My family had admired the beautiful views from the highway many times and had cross-country skied along the caldera edge in the winter. The Valles Caldera National Preserve is a 13-mile wide bowl- shaped depression created by an ancient massive volcanic eruption. This area of tall trees, expansive grassy meadows, streams and wildlife is located along NM Highway 4, about a 28-mile drive from Los Alamos. For many years, the caldera was known as the Valle Grande and was a privately owned cattle ranch. The ranch was sold several years ago and eventually became today’s Valles Caldera National Preserve managed by the National Park Service. In early October, four of us left early from our Santa Fe lodging and arrived shortly before the 8:00 AM opening. We registered at the NPS Visitor Center where we got information and a map of the dirt roads where we could drive on our own. The entrance fee was waived on this day. We had a leisurely drive past former ranch buildings, through woods and meadows, stopping to take in the scenery, walking about and listening to some of the 2500 resident elk bugling in the distance. Low rainfall seems to have left the meadow grasses somewhat parched. Our visit was very rewarding, since my wife and I had long wanted to see the far reaches of this caldera. Entry passes are given first come, first served, so it’s a good idea to arrive early during the simmer hours of 8-6.

Valles Caldera was new to us and a very pleasant surprise. Lets get the negatives out of the way - the roads through the caldera were terrible. We have a small car and we made it fine, but it was not fun. Very rocky. Now the positive: beautiful grasslands surrounded by mountains, nice hiking, not crowded. Recently taken over by the National Park Service so I expect amenities to be added with time.

Awe inspiring expanse of collapsed volcanoes which created miles of ash based mountain landscape. Elk roam free, as do cattle. Snow shoeing in winter as well as cross country skiing. Hiking and horseback riding. Guided tours. Great visitors center. Higher altitude so cooler in summer.

Gorgeous park! Meadows bursting with millions of flowers; hills covered with pines, aspens, and spruce trees. Arrive early to get back country access. Saw coyote as we made our way through the park. Gentle rain with temperatures dropping into the 50s. A MUST park to visit!

This is truly a wonder of nature. The wildlife walking past and the views combine to make this such a unique place. It's a unique formation. Beautiful space.

This place is breathtaking we arrived early and were able to get an off roading pass to drive throughout the park. They only give out 35 a day. With kids it is necessary. Although even with a pass it was too boring for them. If it was just me and the hubby it would have been a great time its just not really small kid appropriate. There was a lot of wild life and rest rooms. The rangers were nice and informative. If you want there is a pull off right outside the park you can get the same view from there and in five mins versus driving around the park for hours.

Pretty dry could see much cause of the fire restrictions. Saw some in the the distance, one coyote headed over the hill, and a bunch of prairie dogs. Took the shuttle tour and saw where some of Longmire was filmed and in the distance the cabin shown in The Missing. All in all could have missed it but now I can say I've been there.

Yes, Longmire country. You leave the desert world and enter this caldera which looks like something from Montana or Yellowstone area. Big grasslands, lots of trees, small streams, elk (if you can spot them). We visited the Longmire cabin and also drove in a ways. Didn't have time or we would have driven all the way to the end and back. But that would have needed a couple hours. YOu have to get a permit at the Ranger station to enter. They limit how many people can enter in a day. In late October it was very quiet, few people. We had acres and acres to ourselves. The best place we visited on our Santa Fe/Taos trip.

This is must see preserve. We did not know it at the time, but if you have watched Longmire on Netflix, some of the scenic shots are filmed at the preserve. The main character in the TV series has a cabin in a remote area, and when he steps out to his porch, they should an absolutely stunning vista. The cabin and the vista is filmed here. A caldera is mountain top where a volcano blew, and the combination of most of the mountain top blowing off the mountain, and the remaining area collapsing, you end up with a mountain with the top chopped off. The road to the basic visitor center is not paved. There are portable bathrooms, and drinking water from a cooler. We went on a short hike and say prairie dogs and the highlight was seeing a herd of elk run by. Bring binoculars!. Highly recommended.

Coming from scenic drives on the north of the country from east to west, north to south on the west and west to east on the south then being in Albuquerque, Valles Caldera was a winsome vista.

I was left speechless when I got my first view of this beautiful area. The wide open spaces, the herds of elk and the Gunnison prairie dogs were amazing. I put this place at the top three of the most beautiful and serene places I have visited in the United States. Highly recommended !

Came here from nearby Bandelier. Found that only a small portion of the park beyond the ranger station was open to the public this time of year. Even so, we saw coyotes and prairie dogs in the snow on our visit.

Through a series of serendipitous events, a Santa Fe local told us this was a must see and we are so happy she did! You can hike or just take a drive through. This place is magical...there were bluebirds flying everywhere...groundhogs scurrying around the meadow, in and out of holes...numerous other birds...and a coyote that looked very well fed. This is a very special place! The drive in was interesting as well. Highly recommend a visit here. It's well worth the drive.

Unpleasant park rangers and poor signage and maps. Otherwise a beautiful place. The ranger when asked did not inform us of the severely Rutted and washed out road towards the end of the long drive. I saw her grunt something at a foreign visitor who was having difficulty with English. This place is fairly new but what does it take to bring in a scraper and fix the road. The photos I posted were not the very bad zones because we were trying to navigate and not get stuck. The unpleasant experiences with the park rangers were only at check in and check out but luckily we did not see any rangers during our long drive through the back country. I am glad we did not get stuck or had to ask for assistance from a ranger. They appear to be busy barking orders to the few guests at the visitors center. I have to say there was a male park ranger that greeted us on the porch when we arrived and he was very nice as expected.

We drove here after visiting Bandelier NM. Once you turn off the highway the drive to the visitor center is about three miles on a dirt road. . The views are just amazing! There is a couple of short hikes. We came before they opened the longer drive through the park. If you are visiting Bandelier it is worth the extra drive here!

If you are visiting the Santa Fe area, don't miss out on the drive to the Jemez Mountains and the Valles Caldera. It is an amazing meadow that stretches as far as the eye can see. What an amazing place of nature and history.

We arrived a bit too late to drive completely through, but just the drive in to the information office had spectacular views! Arrive before 4pm!

My wife and I stopped by here at the end of the day after a visit to Los Alamos and Bandelier NM. Once you get into the valley on the road from Los Alamos, you're treated to a gorgeous view of the valley covered in prairie grass with lava domes visible at various points in the caldera.

We rushed to the visitors' center right as they were closing and they were very gracious in letting my wife back in for the minute or so it took her to get her Park Passport stamp. While we were consulting an atlas at the NP entrance, one of the rangers was also kind enough to give us a a ton of helpful information on the best scenic driving routes heading from the National Preserve to Colorado.

Would absolutely have spent more time here if we had come earlier in the day.

We have been to New Mexico a number of times, but never to Valles Caldera. What a magnificent place!! Both the elk and the Magma to Magpie tours were fantastic. Such beauty; this is an unforgettable place for animal and nature lovers. It's so worth the extra drive.

We rode our bikes around part of the Caldera on NM route 4, the hiked the Valley Grande trail.

these two activities gave us a good glimpse of how huge this place is. As we were riding the road, we also saw mountain bikers on the trails within the caldera floor.

I wished we had stayed nearby to be there at dawn or dusk to watch wildlife but this will have to be another trip.

I've driven by the Caldera many times over the years. Last year we heard that the NPS had taken over the preserve and decided to make a visit. The scenery was INCREDIBLE! We wanted to drive the preserve but there is a 30 car/day limit and those 30 spots had already been taken. We did a couple of hikes and took the tour van to visit the old ranch structures - one of which is used in the Netflix series "Longmire". The views are stunning - what I wouldn't give to live here. It was a photographic extravaganza! I can't wait to go back. Be aware though - dogs are not permitted past the visitors station - even in your car. You can take them on the hikes right near the visitor station.

Went with my gentleman friend and had a lovely time walking some of the trails, entering is free for all, port a potty’s for restrooms so bring hand sanitizer. There are free maps, or you can buy one. Visitor center only takes card.
Parking is available in most of the park.
Fall is tricky, it’s hot and cold so bring a sweatshirt but also wear lightweight clothing or a short sleeve. Bring water, snacks for sure. Hiking poles maybe required on some of the trails.

the first time I viewed this preserve was the fall of 2010. I was unable to go inside since we had arrived at closing time. I was determined to return.
Now in 2016 I was able to see it again. I would recommend reading the information on the NPS Government web site to understand the history of the place. Words can not do it justice.
It is a place that would delight any nature lover year round.

Snow storm in late May aloud me to meet people that and talk about the caldera. Volentees were very helful in leaning about the area. Seen Coyotes driving in to two to three feet of snow, hunting for breakfast.

I always enjoy driving throgh the Valles Calderas. A sense of awe overcomes me as I know I'm driving through a volcanic cone. No elk today, they likely have moved lower with the onset of winter. Have seen hundreds out there in the summer. This is a Must See.

Looking for cliff dwelling trail and
Obsidian collecting.
Banco bonito?
Trail numbers?
RV dry wet camping?

If you want to experience Valles Caldera, you're going to have to get there early. They limit how many vehicles are allowed per day. If you are able to get in, take care in driving the very rough road. A high clearance vehicle would be advised. Keep in mind that this a working ranch and you may find cattle on the road.

First off, I am SO glad this area has been added as a national preserve. The geological history and beauty of the area is wonderful. To think we were driving through a volcano that erupted over 1M years ago and then collapsed inward to create this amazing, lush landscape was stupendous. Since it's a pretty new preserve, the ranger we talked to admitted they weren't charging fees because there's very little signage in place yet. We asked about a hike, and he recommended one that was 6 miles up the dirt road (allowing only 35 vehicles per day.) It was a pretty rough road, and after the long gravel entry way to the visitor center, it was about 8 miles/30 minutes of driving off paved roads (and there was very little signage.) Not a big deal in our 4WD pickup, and we did saw several cars on the road, but I don't think I'd be comfortable in something without clearance and skid plates, especially with all the rain New Mexico has had this summer. The drive on the dirt road takes you through the historic "cabin district", which is part of NM ranching history, and includes, as others have noted, the "Longmire Cabin", and that view those of you who are fans always see on the show - breathtaking. You can't enter the cabin, however. I kept thinking, "is this where Vic parked her RV?" But I digress....

The hike was OK, winding back into Valle Jaramillo, but nothing great. The much better hike I'm sure was along the rim, but it was another 25 minutes on dirt roads and we just didn't want to spend that much time driving.

If I were to do it again, I'd probably hit the East Fork Trail, which is outside the preserve (about 7 miles) and right off of highway 4. According to All Trails, you get incredible views of the Caldera from way up high. From there I would probably still go to the visitor center for the overview and history. Another tip would be to do the hikes early in the AM to see part of what's the second largest elk herd in NM.

Any trip to the Valles Caldera is worth your time. Although beautiful from the road, the numerous tours throughout the caldera allow you to see throughout the area, giving you a more expansive and additional breathtaking experience. I took the geology tour. It was extremely well done, interesting and made for a fabulous day. Fraiser and Kathy Goff are naturals at this, and made it a wonderful experience. I would come back and do the tour again.

This place is peaceful, stunning, and just awesome! We didn't spend as much time here as we would have liked because of bad weather rolling in, but we will be back. As we rounded the mountain and then came in view of the caldera, it was just astounding. Like nothing else. It's stark contrast from the surrounding mountains is just cool. Loved it!

One is the more awe inspiring places I have been and I never expected to find such a thing in this area. It is fantastic to make the drive down onto the flats - and at the right time, I am sure a great spot to view elk.

We were on a road trip and we stopped by here and the view is just beautiful. I love nature and this one is a must see when in Los Alamos. Nature at it's best! Simply spectacular seeing those surrounding mountains and the colors. We were here on a last days of summer so the weather is just right.

We drove to here and only walked La Jara Loop trail at the entrance station. It's 1.5 mile loop. We only saw some prairie dogs, didn't see nay other animals. It was a beautiful walk though.

There is a nice small visitors center with friendly and helpful staff. Decent book selection on local history. The view on the road leading to entrance road allows for great photo opportunities. Real interesting place to see.

Went here yesterday and my first feeling was the feeling of awe to be on a volcanic camera. My brother warned us we might not get in because of 35 cars a day rule. I am glad we got there early. We got in an started our drive/hike. There was do much to see plenty of photo ops especially with the changing fall colors. The drive is peacefully although the road may be a little rough for a small car, we were in a jeep so it was perfect. The Staff at the park was EXCELLENT, we felt like family and not just visitors... we saw coyote and large herd of elk. Great place if you just taken in the wonders of a Caldera.

Great for a "Bucket List". Don't pass it up. I wish I had waited another week or two for the Aspen trees fall colors. Fishing wasn't what I had hoped for, but still, it was well worth it.

The Valles Caldera was a nice hike for my family and I. There were prairie dogs everywhere! Unfortunately we didn't get to see the elk herd up close but we did see them as we left after our hike. We also decided to come back the next day and drive the 4x4 trail - I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful scenic drive, and after stopping by a small bridge, we saw an otter swim by. Our kids were thrilled!

This is a great day drive from the Jemez or Los Alamos. Beautiful country. Valle Caldera is very large with sprawling green grass and mountains with gorgeous evergreens. Would be a great place to have a picnic. There is no camping allowed as it is a preserve.

We are fans of the "Longmire" show. We got to go see the cabin and barn that you see in the show. It is in a beautiful setting in the valley. Bonus: We saw some Elk!

Breathtaking views all around! This is a day trip from Santa Fe driving through beautiful federal forest lands along the way. I would recommend packing a lunch to enjoy at the Valles Caldera. The drive to the Caldera is a nice scenic drive but the drive through the Valles Caldera is splendid. First stop is at the visitors center, to check in and get a permit. You are then given permission to drive into the Caldera to explore. This is a very rustic trip so be prepared. There are port-a-johns along the way, as well as a picnic spot. There are many hiking trails and wildlife. The opportunity to see Walt's cabin from Longmire brought us to the Caldera, but the serene beauty will bring us back.

As of right now, Valles Caldera is lush green, and simply beautiful. Very easy walk around the Cerro La Jara, no problem at all doing it with our five year old. Prairie dogs everywhere - look out for them looking back at you! Definitely worth at least a brief visit to take in the scenery.

As a fan of the TV show Longmire, I came here to see the cabin featured on the show. The staff knew just what I was looking for and gave me directions to "Walt's cabin". I chose to walk to the cabin (you can drive)-- the views are beautiful across the caldera, snow was on the mountains, and I even saw a coyote on my walk. The hike was uphill on the way there and as I wasn't yet used to the altitude it seemed a little long, but was not too bad on the way back (it's about four miles round trip). The cabin looks just as seen on the show, and you can take in the views you will instantly recognize if a fan. Fan or not, the views here are breathtaking and this is a must visit if in the area.

The caldera is beautiful in a different way, as it was during our visit. I would not try getting in without 4 wheel drive and good ground clearance when it's like that, though. Friendly ranger, and we plan to return in the summer.

We are writing specifically to rave about our "movie tour" on 8/23/15. Our guide, Mr. Trout, was a treasure trove of knowledge--not only about the 20-ish movies made in Valles Caldera since the 70's but also about the history, geology, geography, and sociology of the region and its people. He kept us all engaged for five hours as we drove from location to location, saw photos of the actors, and discussed topics such as the interaction of the Spanish settlers and the Pueblo peoples. Mr Trout even brought his own Western hats to share so we could take souvenir photos of ourselves in authentic garb. This is a man who loves this beautiful park, has amassed a huge depth and breadth of knowledge during his years as a guide, and who has a great sense of humor and ability to interact with all kinds of people. He is a great addition to the experience of Valles Caldera.

This National Preserve gives you a sense of isolation as you drive down into the largest extinct volcano. Nature has recovered the Caldera, with grasses and trees returning to cover the former volcano. A colony of prairie dogs add interest to our visit. We also saw a coyote on the move. Unlike many national parks the trail we hiked was very much still raw and unimproved. Wear your hiking boots.

If you are interested in rocks, geology and in particular in volcanology, this is the number one place to go if you are nearby. You can find all kinds of volcanic features starting with caldera depression, lava flows and domes, explosive eruption depostis (Bandelier tuff) including hot springs and associated carbonate rocks. You can have a bath in a hot spring! The high elevation scenery is gorgeous!

Valles Caldera has interesting geology, as it is the site of previous large volcanic eruption(s) due to its position along a rift zone. However, without studying the geography and geology, it can be hard to realize the forces of nature that have unfolded here. The so-called national preserve isn't all that user friendly for visitors. The meadows, some with snow and ice, reminded me a bit of Rocky Mountain National Park without the major topographic relief (no Long's Peak, for example). There were no elk visible during my visit but apparently they occur in the area. It's worth a drive through and perhaps a short hike (options limited) and may be particularly interesting to people from the area because it has a different microclimate/vegetation. But, it's not a big deal otherwise. Pretty but not compelling.

We were staying in Santa Fe. We decided to take a day and drive around and went to Bandelier National Monument. We weren't sure where to go next so we just drove around and wound up at Caldera National Preserve. We drove in because it looked so beautiful from the road. We signed up for a tour ($5 PP). Our guide was Jim Trout (like the fish). He did a great job of explaining about the volcano that bought about the changes to the area we were in. He just brought our day to a perfect end.

Mountain-driving par excellence. Not many people on the road. Magnificent scenery. Just get in the car and go.

The Views !! After turning off of hwy 4 continue on to the Rangers Station. Today the fees were being waived. I think normally is only a few dollars. They gave us Information and code to be able to continue on into the preserve. You have to go in to give them your info before going any farther. It’s about 3-5 miles in. Beyond there it’s another 2 miles to Longmire house. Even if you have no clue who that is the views from that house are stunning. Not far past that is the gate. If you don’t have an access code you must turn around. We drove about 45 mins into the area. Had we not had other sights to see we probably would have driven farther. This preserve covers a vast area. So peaceful as well !!

We stayed in Santa Fe for two nights and during this time took day trips to the surrounding areas. Valles Caldera was recommended by our Bed & Breakfast owner - and what a great recommendation it was! We loved it so much, that we went back the following day. Plan to spend at least half a day there, it's so worth it. You can go on hikes, walk, ride a horse or drive on designated roads within the preserve if you are one of the 35 vehicles lucky enough to obtain a backcountry vehicle permit (we did!).

The scenery is absolutely beautiful, vast meadows with streams running through them, forests, lots of wildlife... As we were leaving on day 2, a big herd of elks bid us farewell - it was fantastic!

The rangers in the visitor center were incredibly friendly and helpful.

Keep in mind that you'll have to pay a small fee to enter the Preserve, but it's totally worth it. Also, if you get an Annual National Park's Pass (in the summer of 2016 the cost for a year was $80), you don't have to pay an additional fee to enter the Preserve.

If you find yourself near Santa Fe or in the Jemez Mountains, don't miss this wonderful spot - you won't regret it!

This is a cool place to hike around, although when I found out the prairie dogs were natural carriers of the plague I didn’t stay in this area for long. The Caldera was beautiful and the entire area around there has so many interesting sites, I’m sure the Forrest Rangers were tired of seeing me in the area, I didn’t miss a spot!

This place is just stunning. The size and scale are confounding, with things that appear close up actually being very far away and vice versa. The product of a supervolcano many millions of years ago, it is a stunner. Not to be missed. The guides and staff were very warm, friendly and enthusiastic. We were so happy to have stumbled on this place.

Absolutely beautiful! All the rangers were friendly and very helpful. The buildings are interesting. The scenery is gorgeous. Watch out for the prairie dogs and drive slow. They like to sit in the road.

I visited in September 2015, before it became a National Park. I was also unlucky enough to visit right at the start of the hunting season, so all the trails except for the short one around the central 'Island' in the middle of the caldera were closed to the public. Still, this was a stunning location and the huge blue sky and fluffy white clouds looked amazing against the rolling grassland.

For anyone that watches 'Longmire' on TV, this is where Walt's cabin is located, and you can see it clearly nestled in the Caldera. Would love to return and do some hiking in the area.

The roads up to it are steep and twisty, so allow plenty of time to get there.

I wish we would have had more time to explore the area but it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. If you are a Longmire fan you have to see this place. The gravel road to Walt's house is not long or bad at all. Great and informative rangers!

The Valles Caldera National Preserve is one of the most beautiful spots we've been in the U.S. -- and we've been to a lot of beautiful spots. About an hour's drive north of Santa Fe, this is an area of tremendous natural beauty created by ancient volcanic activity. The basin, a vast meadow surround by mountains with the Jemez River running through it, is particularly stunning. There is a guided tour of an historic ranch that we didn't take because the timing didn't work out for us. The preserve is something of a well-kept secret, having come under government management fairly recently -- it was privately owned until 2002. If you are a fan of magnificent western vistas and taking photos of same, this is your place.

Of all the places and sites I visited during the week I was in NM, Valles Caldera was for me the most special. Most people don't even realize that it's a Super Volcano and that, like Yellowstone, it is considered active.

A dear friend of mine who grew up in the area was really excited for me to see the Caldera. It didn't disappoint. I couldn't get over the vastness of the field and how things like grazing animals appeared to be a lot closer than they actually are. I'm a very observant person and seeing grazing animals from the roadside which you could barely even make out was kinda awesome.

Next time I visit, hopefully I'll get a chance to hike down into to Caldera. I felt so drawn to the expansive, grassy fields with distant clumpings of tree's which give the area an almost surreal feeling. This place should definitely be near the top of your list when you visit the Santa Fe area.

Great hiking, mountain biking and fishing in this beautiful valley. Get there early so you can get one of 35 back country passes and then head out for your favorite activity. The animal watching is great and the VC are very helpful.

As we drove west on Route 4, we were stopped dead in our tracks by the 14 miles diameter caldera with its stunning grass valley. The vista just cannot be captured by a photograph.
/ has to be witnessed to grasp its enormity. Additionally, you can see the impact for the 2011 forest fire as the land begins to recover. Perfect for a elderly wheelchair bound person to enjoy the ride and witness unforgettable beauty. We all don’t have to be athletes to enjoy the outdoors and nature’s finest.

I realize the number of animals you see is not always going to be great. Just letting you know what you MIGHT get into. The road to checking is nice, well maintained (2 miles). But it stops there. Average speed from there is 8-10 mph and rough on any vehicle. Drove an hour to the split and saw just a few birds. Saw one coyote on the way out. But after leaving the park and headed to Los Alamos we saw an elk chasing two coyotes in the caldera. That’s where we found the herd of over 100.

What a beautiful, expansive preserve. It is wide and deep, filled with grasses swaying with the wind. When we went, there was little to no water present because of how dry things have been. The backdrop of the mountains made it even more stunning. Lots of wildlife. The park staff we talked with said there were lots of elk, but were resting hidden by the height of the tall grasses. It was a wonderful time spent there and definitely recommend. Just the drive to reach it, going through old tall ponderosa pines made it all worth the drive.

We stopped along the way on our trip to see this spacious land. It is really nice to see but unfortunately due to a controlled burn that happened the day before we arrived it was still very smokey. Do not eliminate this stop if you are in the area but be advised!
This area is 13 + miles wide and is volcanic. I have heard that Elk hunts happen here and the grass valleys are really pretty. Only the edges of the land had scorch marks from the burn, so the beauty is still there!

This Caldera is very peaceful and relaxing. We got there late so we didn't get a chance to go in. The views from the roadside pull offs are astounding. We will visit next time.

The panoramic view at Redondo Peak was breath taking. Experienced an unexpected snowstorm in March and no elks as of yet but what a sight.

The way to the visitor center is unpaved but my small car handled the dirt road well enough. The majority of hiking trails were still closed but there were open paths that made for an easy hour walk. Fantastic for off-season hiking and amateur bird watching.

All the hiking trails were closed due to high winds and danger of fire/falling debris but one of the park volunteers drove us to the other side of the caldera to the cabin where Longmire was filmed. I've never seen the show but the views were amazing. We also got to observe a group of prarie dogs up close alongside national geographic. Bonus, they also aren't charging for entry or bonus van trips 😀

If you like wilderness areas, this is definitely worthwhile traveling to from Los Alamos. Be sure to take advantage of the amenities in Los Alamos, as this is a windy, remote drive to and from the caldera. The caldera is both geologically and environmentally significant so take the time to look at the features and flora and fauna you see along the way. Definitely bring binoculars if you have them. The park office staff is helpful and informative. You'll need to check with them as to when and where you may go within the caldera area.

Haven't seen all the areas affected by fire, but spent a lot of time exploring this area in the years prior. Access limitations are a plus as there is little to no litter and roads were in good shape.

As a kid, we picnicked in Valles Grande (which is now Valles Caldera). What I remember is the wide open spaces and the lush feel of the place. It's still there! Valles Grande is a bit different than other natural features in that it's one big caldera and not much more.

We drove to the little Visitor Center and chatted with the nicest woman at the Welcome Desk. She took all sorts of time with us telling us about the caldera, the region and the geology of the area. Felt like she was going to test me on the information since she gave us so much. It was a dreary day and we weren't going to hike so there wasn't much to do. They have permits to back country driving. But were all out by the time we got there.

Would like to come back and do some hiking.

We drove here after visiting Los Alamos in the morning and continuing on Rte 4 into the mountains (I think the Santa Fe National Forest). This new National Preserve is a huge, flat, grassy area you come to after coming down out of the mountains and forest with tall evergreens.The drive to the visitor center is about a mile through the open land. It used to be a ranch where thousands of sheep were grazed. The back country roads through this National Preserve are closed Nov. 1-May 15 each year, so we could not drive beyond the visitor center. The friendly gentleman volunteer at the National Park visitor center explained that the grassy area we were in was only part of the caldera area that was once a volcano. There are other grassy open areas in the back country. The volunteer gave us tips for other points of interest on our way on Route 4 west, including where to find the old railroad Gilman tunnels through the mountains, and the CWW feed store in San Ysidro that has a room of taxidermy game animals.
(I believe Valles Caldera could be closed temporarily right now in January with the government shutdown based on their web site.)

This lasts about 3 hrs. Led by a park ranger, it is done by van with stops in a few spots along the way. Seeing Elk out in their natural habitat is just great! Got to see some movie sets too!! Enjoyed the whole thing. Take water and your own snacks tho. Plenty of photo ops, beautiful trees and landscape too.

This site is just breath-taking in its enormity. Worth the drive down to the station where you can learn a lot of very interesting information about how it was formed, etc.

Valles Caldera is an amazing place. Looking across the vast expanse of this volcanic caldera, I tried to imagine it as an exploding volcano! We weren't there at the right time to see the elk, but we did enjoy the drive down to the visitor's center. This makes a nice day trip from Los Alamos or from Jemez Springs. There are activities year-round, so check their website. There are also several hiking paths there.

you feel so small when you stand in the middle of the caldera.prairie dogs have a network of tunnels in the parking lot.saw coyotes and deer from parking lot.road from highway to could be better maintained

It is really hard to imagine that it use to be big volcano and now is nice valley full of Elks. The view is spectacular. Very much worth additional hour drive from Bandelier NP.

My husband wanted to see this historic site - it having been mentioned by the Robert Oppenheimer character in the series "Manhattan." Let me warn you, the road in to the Visitors' Center is terrifically bumpy! It seems many people come here to hike, fish and camp. While my husband gleaned all the information he desired from the Park attendant, I walked our dog in a nearby field and discovered what prairie dogs are. Yes, they really do bark! They are about the size of a squirrel and dig prolific holes in the ground, popping up here and there, standing at attention and barking at each other. I thought our dog would at least show some interest in this ultimate squeaky toy, but she cared not a bit! It was quite an experience to stand where a volcano had erupted over a million years ago.

As Longmire fans, we've been very keen to visit the site of his cabin at Valles Caldera for a long time and on a recent trip to northern New Mexico, we were, at last, able to achieve that goal.

What an absolutely stupendous landscape. Even having seen the TV series and all of the photos online we were unprepared for the sheer majesty and scale of Valles Caldera. Although I've tried to explain it to many people in the past week or so since our visit, it's really indescribable in any meaningful way - you have to see it in person to appreciate the scale and beauty.

When you approach it from the east (Los Alamos direction), you catch glimpses of it through the trees and then all of a sudden you're alongside it and it opens up into this vast bowl. You drive down and into it to get to the visitor center which is visible from the roadside. That drive, in itself, is impressive, as you're entering the vast environment and it opens up on all sides.

Having dealt with two punctures on our drive from Taos, we arrived 2-3 hours later than planned and, having read that only a limited number of passes allowing us 'back-country' access were available, I was sure we'd missed our opportunity but, most thankfully, the lovely ranger on duty confirmed there were a few passes left and we were able to drive deeper into the Preserve (please note that they do not allow pets past the point of the visitor center - I think it's related to the - believe it or not - plague which can be spread via fleas from the plentiful prairie dogs). This meant that we could visit Walt's cabin but, more importantly, appreciate that view from the middle of the Preserve towards the edges. As I said above, it's really indescribable and awesome in the true sense of the word.

We were driving a rental sedan and as the roads were a little chewed-up by recent heavy rains we were reluctant to drive in as far as we'd have liked for fear of damaging the car so we stopped short but in a 4WD or even a 2WD with higher clearance you can go the whole way in and we'll do that should we ever return.

I cannot overstate just how beautiful an experience this was and what is truly remarkable is the ease of access provided by the wonderful people of the National Parks Service. Kudos to you all!

My sister and I stopped in the office and passed J. on our way out. He took the time to give us a tour filled with historical facts. It was interesting because our father worked as a geologist many years ago for the previous ranch owners. J. made an excellent hike recommendation too. The caldera is magnificent, and we would have missed the full experience had we not run into J. Much of the back acreage was closed for hunting, but we still saw the caldera valley. And we saw the Longmire house. I am a big Longmire devotee, so that was really cool. Already waiting in anticipation for Season 5.

On the way to Jemez Springs we stopped to view the Valle Caldera. It was snow covered (still looked good for cross county skiing), so we did not do much hiking, but enjoyed the vast open view, surrounded by snow and pine covered mountains. The sign gave a brief history of this place, a super volcano that after erupting left this massive grass covered caldera, now home to herds of Elk. The visitors center was also open. Depending on the season, horseback riding, skiing, hunting and hiking are all available here for a fee.

We stumbled upon The Valles Caldera quite by accident and were blown away by the beauty and unspoiled conditions. The history of vulcanism here makes Mt. St. Helens a footnote in the geologic history of this continent. If you go there, be certain to take one of the guided tours. Michael was our tour guide and was extremely well versed in Native American culture, the geology, and the fauna. Right now only 24 background vehicle permits are issued daily -- so be sure to reserve in advance. Our only disappointment was not seeing any elk, though others did and hoofprints were all over. With the National Park Service taking over maybe there will be some backpacking campsites.

This ancient super volcano is a unique and beautiful place. We had a special guided tour by the staff biologist which was about as good a tour as we have ever had.

Don't arrive during the elk hunting season as many of the trails are closed.

This was our second visit after coming across it by accident 2 years ago. We took a short hike around the do e closest to the visitors center. We saw prairie dogs, coyotes, several bird species as well as Wildflowers. All the while, we heard the elk bugling in the distance. Our guide on the Magma to Magpie tour was knowledgable and passionate about the caldera. We look forward to returning again and scheduling much more time to hike and explore this majestic place!

This was a 3rd visit for us. We visited in the summer and now twice in November. A beautiful area any time of year! This visit was characterized by snow! The leak here was too far in the valley to see clearly, but we were pretty close to a coyote who was playing in the snow.

As a geologist and former resident of New Mexico, I had always wondered what was beyond the original lookout of the caldera from the main road. The preserve has since granted access to the caldera and you can obtain a pass to drive through it. As mentioned in earlier posts, the road to the ranger station and thought the caldera is rough in a smaller car, and the rangers direct you where not to go so as to preserve your car. In a state with classic terra cotta landscapes, this is a treat with the rich with greenery, aspens, wildlife and adventure!

Went to see the Valles Caldera: went on a 3 mile dirt road to the Visitor Center after turning off Hwy 4. The road is well taken care of. At the Visitor Center the Ranger informed us of things to do, Hiking and visiting the Historic Cabins on the grounds. We needed a pass to go see the cabins, limited traffic allowed. The Caldera is huge; evidently Elk roam the lands. The historic cabins were nice to see.

This was our first visit here and it was absolutely breathtaking. The scenery of the volcanic caldera was gorgeous. The park ranger was very knowledgeable about the history and how its was formed. We drove back to
the historic cabins but since it was off season weren't able to go any further. One of the cabins was used in the TV series Longmire. Due to Covid-19, we couldn't go in the visitor center but the ranger had info outside. We hope to return when we can drive through more of the caldera.

Valle Caldera is an amazing site as you come upon it from the road. It was formed by an immense volcanic eruption, 1.25 million years ago, many, many times bigger than Mt. St Helen. I was in awe by the size of it, 13.7 miles wide. We turned down the road to stop at the visitor center which was in the caldera. The attendant there was very happy to talk with us and answer questions. Much of the park was not open until May 15. You could walk around a hill and walk a bit away from the visitor center but that is all. The caldera looks like a valley with grasses growing all over. Near the road you can see a prairie dog town. Elk, we were told, are around, too but we did not see any. In certain parts of the year cattle and sheep are grazed on the grasses.
It was only in 2000 that President Clinton named the land a national preserve.
This is well worth the stop even if all you do is drive the mile into the caldera to the visitor center.

Only 24 cars a day are allowed to drive the "scenic" route through the Caldera. We were too late to make that list, but the park offers a van tour for a little ways in. The van driver was amazingly friendly, knowledgeable and competent. We enjoyed his tour immensely!

Wandering around one of only three supervolcanoes in the USA is quite remarkable. Nearly 14 miles across, this active caldera (cauldron like hollow) is what has shaped the geology of many of the wonderful places one gets to visit in New Mexico, such as Bandelier, Tsankawi, etc. The volcanic tuff that came out of its last eruption 1.25-million-year-old has eroded into amazing canyons dotted and rimmed by domes and expansive plateaus.

Due to Covid-19, fees were waved. I managed to drive around a bit then mountain biked; a tad difficult on this heavily washboard gravel road, against the wind at high altitude (over 8,800’), but well worth the effort to be so close to elks, high altitude flowers in full bloom, etc. The ranger at the visitor center told me to be careful of the sharp obsidian found in a couple places on the road. Indeed I saw many pieces as I traveled through the preserve, but my tires were spared.

I enjoyed the Old Cabin District where you still see well-maintained structures from 1915 to 1951.

The TV mini-series ‘Buffalo Girls’ was filmed here but the set is mostly decomposing into the ground by now. Not much left to see but the nature that surrounded it with its aspens and 300–500-year-old ponderosa trees.

Of note NASA used the caldera in October to November 1964 and again in September 1966 to geologically train the Apollo Astronauts in recognizing volcanic features, such as ash flow tuffs, pumice air falls, and rhyolite domes.

The caldera and surrounding volcanic structures are one of the most thoroughly studied caldera complexes in the United States. Geologists love this place. In 1964, evidence was found that helped confirm/prove the theory of plate tectonics, now a unifying principle of geology.

There are now approximately two thousand five hundred Rocky Mountain elk from the 100 brought in from Wyoming in the 1940-1960’s. It is the largest population of elk in North America. The preserve is well known for its legendary trophy bull elk. A typical hunting season results in the culling of about 250 to 270 animals with a success rate running as high as seventy percent.

Should running marathons inside a volcano be of interest to you, The Run the Caldera Marathon is a high-altitude course. The course is run at 9,700+ feet in elevation and follows old logging roads through the forest and up and down the mountains. Runners experience over 2,100 feet of elevation change. Good luck!
Weather can change on a dime at this altitude, and it looked like a huge thunderstorm was heading my way, so I left before it hit wanting to come back to explore more of the back country later on.

Watch and listen to the numerous Gunnison’s prairie dogs whistling at each other while raptors fly above looking for a nice meal. They were scurrying everywhere near the visitor’s center.

Be mindful that this place is a preserve, therefore quite primitive in what it has to offer (no flushing toilets, showers, and the likes).

Old fashion horse-drawn sleigh rides are also offered (snow permitting) during part of the winter. Something I would really like to try one day.

Standing in this sunken volcano, it’s nearly unfathomable to realize that it was 300-600 times larger (depending how you calculate it) than Mt. St. Helens’ in 1980. Valles Caldera is one of the world’s best examples of an intact volcanic caldera, something not to be missed.

Awe-inspiring setting! We did a 25-mile ride around one of the Preserve's main roads, with a side trip on a less-traveled road that took us near Redondito. While the altitude was challenging, the gain was fairly slow and steady, and any breaks were rewarded with incredible views. We saw elk at the higher elevations, a host of birds throughout, and a stunning diversity of wildflowers. Preserve staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful - Lance was particularly great as he gave us tips for future rides. We will be back!

We came because I'm a national park nerd and visit any site I can. This is a great site. Plenty of wildlife, we saw several coyotes, lots of gunnison prairie dogs, turkey vultures and mountain bluebirds. Please forgive the photos, they're taken with the phone from the camera view screen. The Ranger was friendly and helpful. We had no idea the site now includes a geothermal hot springs area now too (NOT THE TYPE FOR SWIMMING, DO NOT GO IN!). They're still in the process of cleaning it up (based on the site, this will take a long time); I can't wait to see what they're able to do with it in the future.

I have just finished watching the last few episodes of Longmire. I took a snapshot in season 5 eoisode 4 of Walt's house. Until yesterday I had believed it to be a piece of CGI. So, you can but wonder at my shock to find the house does actually exist.

5th April 2011, I left Santa Fe early on a drive that was due to take in Los Alamos, Cuba - tickles my sense of humour! - Malpas National Monument and finish 400 miles and 10 1/2 hours later in Show Low, AZ. Los Alamos in the rush hour was not perhaps the best time but I drove around the town seeing all the street names that echo its infamous past!!

I duly reached the Grande Valle and what a shock it was. I had read my map but the idea of this immense caldera did not figure in my calculations. The ground was hard with frost and there was little bits of snow around. [I know, what was I doing going there in early April?] To stand and take photographs in what was absolute silence was as awe inspiring as looking down into the Grand Canyon!! And probably even more impressive than Yellowstone!!

Did I see THE house? No!! But, then who would without the TV series given what was on the other side of the road. And for me no restrictions!!

Stunning! A must see, if you are in the area!! However, a word of warning the road became very rough not far past the caldera. The frozen track probably helped me get through to Cuba!!!

My family and I visited the Caldera in March. Our visit was perfect. Such an amazing, peaceful and most beautiful landscape to see. Much wildlife and interesting history.
Ranger Elsa was not only kind to our family but very knowledgeable as well.
We only wish we could have an overnight stay at this extraordinary place.

This is well worth the trip. We saw over 100 elk and had a great drive through meadow after meadow. They only allow a certain number of cars in a day but the elk could be seen from the visitor center.
This is one of three super volcanoes in the U.S. and the caldera it left is magnificent. The Park Rangers were helpful and very informative.

What a sight as you crossover the mountains! I had read about this spot, but to actually see it is incredible. As far as your eye can see is meadow, and if you are lucky, you'll see grazing elk. A unique natural wonder that you won't soon forget.

This Preserve includes several valleys and mountains. They provide 35 permits per day for people to drive there private cars in the preserve. They do have tours where their van will drive a small portion of the preserve. The 1 hour tour is excellent. The ranger provides information about the history, geology, flora and fauna. The van will pick up hikers if there is space. There is Elk hunting in the preserve.

At least one major fire had gone through the area not long ago, so it's a somewhat subdued drive, but it's still pretty country. Friends said you used to see lots of elk in the area, but we saw none. Even the inside of the caldera was devoid of any visible wildlife.

Hey, it's a caldera, never seen one so we drove by it. It's in the middle of nowhere, but you'll go past Los Alamos Lab on the way, which is sure to stir up conversation. The caldera is natural and raw, beautiful, w elk and other critters roaming. Watch getting close to the prairie dogs, they have been recently afflicted w plague! But they're cute from a distance. And, if you're a fan of Longmire, the house and driveway is right there for you to see in person! (Filmed in NM, not up north like the show says...)

Liked the short hike through prairie dog town. Amazing meadow views. If staying nearby, go to the viewing areas at dusk to look for elk.

The Valle Caldera National Preserve is definitely worth the drive. My family and I visit the Caldera a few times a year. Be sure to visit the Caldera at night to stargaze. The Rangers who work at the Caldera are a wealth of information. The gift shop at the Visitor Center always has something unique.

Our guide Carmen was knowledgeable on a large variety of topics. Gratefully parts of the hike crossed forest that were burned from fire. We learned about fire as an important natural chapter in the life of a forest. We learned how some parts of the landscape change forever from high intensity fires and how low intensity fire allows trees to survive readily. Carmen could identify all manner of animal sounds, grouse,frog etc . Our hike was peaceful and quiet but when anyone in the group had a question Carmen answered readily. We learned about geology, fire ecology,volcanoes, plants and animals. You couldn't ask for a more pleasant day.

We walked a 1.5 mile, almost flat, trail around a forested hill, and it was lovely to be outdoors on this beautiful rangeland. If you're a hiker, cross country skier, or have your own horse (they do not have a concession on site): this is an amazing place. I don't know if there's another one like it anywhere else in the world.

Unfortunately I didn't have much time here before having to drive to the airport. Would like to go back and do some hiking & fishing. Try to go in the morning or late in the day to see more wildlife. Also if I'm not mistaken they only allow 35 cars to enter the Preserve per day, during the week your probably ok but on the weekends they can sell-out.

This is the largest caldera in North America, situated in the Santa Fe National Forest. The closest campground is Jemez Falls Campground which is a Forest Service campground. It is a dry campground, in that it has no electric or sewer service, but has a well for water. Just this past summer, it became a reservations only campground through Reserve America. It does get busy during summer months.

Spent maybe a little over 1 hour in late April. There is a dirt road to the first ranger station. In general, trails are not well marked and had a hard time finding them. The ranges mentioned they had not taken steps to mark trail. Did Pond Trail - pretty flat, plenty of prairie dogs, can see pond at end, not too scenic. La Jara Trail - was pretty wet around cinder conde, could see Missing Cabin in the distance
Saw coyote on way out
The general scenery was beautfil
Not alot of other people so not overwhelmed by crowds

The Valles Caldera magma tour with Carmen was educational, historical, fun, and full of beautiful views! We have been to the caldera many times but this was the first time visiting inside. Looking at it from the road it is so vast yet when you get inside and stand in the middle it feels even bigger. So wonderful to see the 360 degree views from inside the bowl. Carmen was a fountain of knowledge not only about the history but also had fun facts about the movies and TV shows filmed there. There were nary a question she couldn't answer. We could have easily spent the whole day talking to her but alas the tour is not that long.
We plan on going back during summer hours so we can spend more time soaking up the beauty.

What a beautiful place! We drove for an hour one way and saw hardly a soul. We did see an elk and some prairie dogs. We did not like the lack of signage. The office supplied a map, but we could not tell where we were on it. We never did find the place where we were supposed to hike. We finally gave up and drove back out because we were told to be back by 5:00 and we didn't think we would actually have time to hike. We did one of the trails on the outskirts which are open until dark.

15 years ago, as newly weds, my husband and I traveled across the country to move out west. We visited every national park and monument on the way. This caldera stuck out in both of our minds as one of the most beautiful things we enjoyed on our two week trek. It is an oasis only in the fact that it is so different than the surrounding beauty. Simply amazing, and not to be missed. We are now visiting with our 10 and 13 year old daughters. We are hoping to ride horses through the caldera, but can't seem to pinpoint a guided tour, any recommendations welcome. Thanks!

Breath taking scenery, views of elk with their calves, coyotes prowling for food, great horned owls, etc. Our guide, Jim is extremely informative and does an excellent job pointing out every detail of the incredible tour! Anxious to return! Would strongly recommend this area as a "must see" if you are in New Mexico!

no amenities except information and portapottie. Bought a cold drink but they could take only credit card. No cash

This huge caldera has been nicely preserved and provides an expansive open space. It is wilderness at its best and only a short drive from Santa Fe or Albuquerque. This massive area of open spaces and forest is full of wildlife including elk. It is beautiful to just drive through, as we did, or I'm sure, even more so if you hike.

We spent a delightful day in the company of an incredibly knowledgable guide named Jim Trout. We made reservations but ended up as his sole passengers for the 5 hr movie tour. Jim has a wealth of information about more than movies shot at the preserve-- history, geology.. And he seems to know every corner of this vast and incredibly beautiful place. We saw wonderful old cabin where The Missing (among others) was shot, the Longmire cabin with its stunning porch view vista, our favorite the sweet little natural hot spring bathhouse, and so much more. VC is not to be missed. And if you're lucky enough to have Jim as your guide you are in for a very special treat. Plan on at least 3-4 hrs. You won't want to miss anything.

Great place to visit and view wildlife especially elk, you can also fish some high quality streams. This is also a great place to study geology.

This preserve covers a large area, but most of it is comprised of a huge former volcanic basin that sits in contrast to the surrounding mountains. The natural beauty of the area is evident in all seasons and there are better than average opportunities for viewing wildlife. This is the third leg of a magical trio of adjacent destinations alongside the Jemez National Recreation Area and the Bandelier National Monument.

I had read a lot about the Caldera but had no idea what we were in store for. I did not know it was now a NP and on our first day in the area we merely stopped along the road above it and took pictures of it, as it is truly a unique geographic area. A few days later while exploring the vicinity we noticed cars driving in it, continued to see the entrance to the Park and drove in. The road is in terrible shape, you have to drive very, very slowly but so worth the effort. It has a cute little Visitor Center with excellent Ranger manning, an interpretive 2+ mile walk around a cone behind the Center, and lots of roads and trails and wildlife to boot. I would love to bike the entire Caldera but it would take at least a day to do so. This is a DO NOT MISS spot, and close to other great hiking and hot springs areas. In a word FABULOUS.

Wish we'd seen some elk but the rut was late and there was a bow hunt that day that was making them scarce. Saw some prairie dogs and visited the visitor center. No one told us that Longmire's cabin was on the property or we would have driven back there as we are big fans of the show.

You are in a caldera and can see and sense it. Saw elk coyote variety of birds and prairie dogs. Scenery is lovely. Do dirt road to top ranger station.

Even if you just look at the Valles Caldera from the roadside, it's a worthwhile drive.
I had a wonderful experience doing a night snowshoe. The Valles Caldera is a natural wonder and truly wild place to observe elk, deer and all kinds animals. We snowshoed out at dusk at our own pace. Eventually reaching a small gathering with a beautiful fire in the dark. This is the kind of experience life is about.

I believe the number of visitors is restricted. So call ahead to make a reservation.
At check in, the people were helpful and there was hot cider. Great outdoor couples or friends outing. And probably families too with kids that are old enough to hike or small enough to carry!

Great wildlife viewing. Unique trout fishing. Get a vehicle pass and spend the day taking in the myriad of natural wonders.

We always try to make it out to the Valles Caldera whenever we're in Northern New Mexico. Unfortunately, it was a little to early in the season to see any elk, but later in the year they are plentiful! We hiked the Valles Grande, a short fairly easy hike down to the valley, something I would recommend to everyone.

Go early so that you can get a pass for the backcountry, otherwise stay for the small Museum and displays at the half. When the elk are out they have a telescope so that you can watch them.

We drove through this area after leaving Los Alamos. It is basically a large grassland surrounded by enchanting mountains that you drive through. We went to the Visitors Center and received invaluable help from the volunteer rangers. When you exit Route 4 to drive to the Visitors Center and beyond, you will be on gravel and dirt roads -- maybe not the best surface for some vehicles. Even though we didn't do it, I recommend being here at dusk or early morning to see and hear the elk.

Thousands of years ago a violent volcano changed the landscape of New Mexico in many ways. After many eruptions, the mouth of the volcano collapsed inwardly on itself and over time created a lush bowl of greenery. This "bowl" became the the center of wildlife in the area. Driving through the Caldera before a storm finds wildlife including squirrels, rodents, rabbits, and birds scurrying to safety. Today during a spring visit the animals and plants were waking up from winter and showing off their beauty. It is our favorite part of the Jemez National Recreational Area.

They say they are doing some upgrades as part of joining the park service and so it was free during July 2017 (but hey make a donation anyway! The NPS is one of the gems of the USA). As you enter the park there are these fabulous grassy vistas surrounded by hills - it almost reminded me of African savannahs but without the same exotic wildlife. But ti does have plenty of wildlife including herds of Elk. The trails and parking are not always well marked but you are well rewarded if you figure it out. Buy the $14 ma in the rangers lodge. It is much clearer then the smaller free photocopied one. Maybe the park signage is one of the things they are working on. Note the trail through the park can be a bit rough so bear that in mind as you drive if your vehicle has low ground clearance. Overall very definitely worth a visit - get out and do some hiking

Long, winding drive but what a view! So much greeen and so many things to see. Bring binoculars if you have them! We saw deer or an antelope in th e distance goign accross the caldera.

This tour was a wonderful way to see the beautiful elk that roam through the Caldera. We were amazed at the number of elk we saw - somewhere between 150-200. Their bugling was very cool to hear and we were even treated to a bull fight or two! Great experience!

We went on a Monday and the park was very quiet. We visited Longmire's (NetFlix) cabin which is near the Park Ranger's check in point. We drove throughout the park, we enjoyed seeing the immense caldera.

My husband & I visited last fall on a day trip from Albuquerque and we can't wait to go back and explore some more. Gorgeous! we saw lots of birds and a small herd of elk.

We drove the several mile long gravel road to the Preserve headquarters, where we were greeted by a colony of prairie dogs! They were quite brave and chattered away as we snapped photos. A bit later, wandering over to a cattle corral used at round up time, I saw a darling little critter, soft gold fur, big ears and eyes... the ranger told me it was a weasel. Also in abundance were blue birds ! We didn't get to see the elk herd, as our timing was off, but I was told they are spectacular. Many people were heading out to try the various hiking trails, which are not terribly strenuous and range from 1 mile up. It 's a unique and special environment.

Most of the earlier reviews of the Preserve have covered its spectacular essence. For those with the time, I recommend you hike the Coyote Call Trail; the trailhead is across the road from the Caldera (just a short distance on the Los Alamos side) from the
main entrance. It is a loop trail about 3.8 miles and from it, you get glorious views of the Caldera. If you are lucky to be there at the right time of year, the meadows are full of wildflowers.

This park/preserve is a recent addition to the national park system. You have to drive a couple miles down a gravel road to get to the small visitor center. This park is located in the caldera of an ancient super volcano. Very colorful area in the fall.

We first saw this magical place in the late afternoon. It glowed in the "golden hour" light. The next day we took a van tour of the preserve, a bargain at $5 each.

Even the the elk would not cooperate and show themselves, it was a beautiful place. A huge expanse of grassland is actually within a long dormant caldera. Beautiful scenery, lots of prairie dogs, coyotes and approximately 3000 elk (when they aren't snoozing in the higher forest) make it interesting. Quite few hikes nearby and the log house used in filming Longmire is right there too.

Take the free 1 mile guided tour with the Ranger as you walk around a young vlconic mound and learn the geological and human history of the place.

This was our first visit to this NPS site. Unfortunately, a storm moved in just as we arrived, so we weren't able to do any hiking. This is a new park, so the visitors center is rather small and the road leading to it is unpaved and very rough, but passable. Visitors should also note that there is a $20 entry fee, payable at the visitors center.

My husband and I visited this beautiful spot. We hiked around and saw Elk and Prarie dogs. Easy hike. The only down side is that the park issues only 35 car passes a day. But still worth it.

Apparently, rangers had freed too many people from the snow covered road and it was closed. Still, we got a good view of the basin. A few brave souls Wes out on X-C skis. It was very windy and snow was blowing across the road. Wish that we could have seen more.

This is like no place you have ever seen! A thrilling drive up from Jemez Valley to this jewel in the middle of the Jemez.

The caldera features beautiful picturesque views before you even arrive and is worth the drive! Elk early in the morning and of course the Longmire Cabin! Ranger Johnny Y. was unbelievably helpful, with tons of great advice and information, and such friendly and courteous directions!

This review is only based on the beauty of the Valles Caldera and not on any of the activities. We did not participate in any activities but we did take in the views and walk around some and the environment is absolutely gorgeous! It's a very short, but twisty, drive from Los Alamos. The hours of the park vary by the season and some activities require reservations since the goal of the preserve is to limit the # of visitors. If you're interested in nature and hiking this is a very nice New Mexico spot.

Just had a wonderful tour with Jim Trout, one of the guides at the Caldera. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and obviously loves the area. Took his time to point out various points of interest and told us about the history of the area. Many western movies are shot there and one of the old cabins is used in the Longmire series on television. Gorgeous area with stunning views. Highly recommend taking the time to visit this historical park.

The road is windy and long but what amazing views when you arrive. Be still and wait in the evening. Chances are you will be able to spot a few elk coming out of the trees. While you wait check out the amazing landscape and read a bit of history regarding the formation of the caldera

Valles Caldera has become part of the National Park service in the past few years, so if you have not been there recently the services, rules,etc have changed. Great scenery, mountain biking and hiking in the warm months, cross-country skiing if the snow is good, fishing. They manage it so there will not be crowds. If you have 4WD you can take the roads, but arrange early, especially on summer weekends. Great place for fall foliage.

The Jemez Caldera Preserve is a superb natural and historical treasure, and the "Magma to Magpies" van tour is the best one-hour investment anyone can make in New Mexico! (Hard to believe it was only $5 per person.) Carmen was our guide -- professional, knowledgeable, sharing, and caring -- and we had an informative and delightful tour. May Day was a fine time to slip around the margins of the Valles Grande, and it whetted our appetite for the somewhat longer excursions to come as the glories of high summer arrive. Her insights as a naturalist were excellent, but we particularly appreciated the snippets from history and the movie-making anecdotes. We could not recommend a visit to the Jemez Caldera Preserve more highly.

This is a beautiful area. The history of it’s formation is very interesting to read and being able to spend time in areas of such beauty and peacefulness is awesome. Come early enough to be able to drive through the preserve and see the scenery. The hikes are not overly strenuous and getting to see the little prairie dogs hop in and out of their holes is fun to watch. Getting here is also a great drive as the mountains surrounding this area are gorgeous

My wife and I visited Valles Caldera in early June as part of a trip to Santa Fe. Drive time from Santa Fe to Valles Caldera (taking the scenic route along route 4) was about an hour. This ended up being our favorite stop of the trip (and we had a great trip overall). The area was beautiful, the hiking was excellent and we saw lots of animals. The following is an excerpt from the trip journal I wrote on the trip and contains the details of our time in Valles Caldera National Preserve.

We rolled passed the entrance sign about 9:00.  The access road through the preserve was a well-graded dirt road that wound through the open floor of the caldera. We crossed a pretty stream that was hosting several flyfisherpeople.  Looks like a nice day for fishing, or any other activity with beautiful blue sky and not a cloud to be seen.  The outside air temperature on the Rogue console read 68 F, so we should be in great shape for hiking.  As we continued into the park toward the visitor center we were greeted but several little furry residents of the open plain.  Prairie Dogs.  They were everywhere.  Popping up then back into the burrows.  I had to keep an eye out to make sure they did not scurry out into the road.
 
There were only a couple other cars at the visitor center.  We went inside to see if we could secure a backcountry pass, first ensuring that the road conditions were passable for our rented Rogue, and for some hiking suggestions.  The two millennial Rangers staffing the desk this morning were quite helpful and very friendly.  There were still plenty of backcountry permits available so no worries there.  Even with our delay in getting here, I guess we were still ahead of most of the tourists, just not the fishermen.  The road through the park was in very good shape having been recently graded so they figured we would be fine in our little cross-over.  They mentioned that there were several folks out in sedans.   We told Ranger Jacob that we were looking for a hike with nice views and good opportunities for critter sightings.  He suggested that we try trail 12 which would take us up the caldera rim so the views should be good.  And he guaranteed that we would see elk along the trail.
 
While we were talking to Ranger Jacob, a young family was talking to the young lady Ranger about hikes near to the visitor center.  There were trails just across the road.  The young lady Ranger asked Ranger Jacob the latest on the bear sighting along the trail that the young family wanted to hike.  "Yeah, NO!" was the quick response from Mom, standing at the counter with the baby strapped across her chest, as she nixed the idea of hiking that particular trail.
 
We bought a park pin, some snacks and Gatorade then headed back out toward the parking lot to saddle up for the drive into the park.  I paused to take in the view from the edge of the parking area.  I believe it was here that I had that calming sensation that I usually get in a National Park once we have things situated and a plan in place.  The relaxation just hits.  Deep breath…slowly exhale…ahhhhhhh.  We hung our permit from the rearview mirror and hit the road.  Lynn opened the gate across the park road (just a chain) and we were off.  The time was about 9:40. 
 
The drive through the caldera was wonderful.  As the Rangers stated, the dirt road was in great shape.  We were afforded excellent views all along the drive, some across the expanse of the caldera, some taking in the domes and others of the rim, but all beautiful.  Not very crowded in the preserve.  We let one car pass us as we are not in a hurry and maybe there was one other car going the opposite direction.  None of the trailhead parking areas had more than a car or two.  We did spot one research team sitting on the hill side along the road with their radio tracking antennae; not sure what they were searching for.  We spotted a few birds on the drive but most were on the move.  I got a photo of a little brown bird sitting on a fence post along the road.  The experts on Bird Forum later identified this as a Vesper Sparrow, which was a new addition to our list of sightings (I guessed Savannah Sparrow but the experts were correct).  We also got a nice look and some photos of a Western Meadowlark, another new bird for the overall list.  We thought the road might degrade the further away from the visitor center we traveled but that was not the case.  It was pretty much smooth sailing the entire trip, just a few short stretches of washboard and miscellaneous potholes that are typical of any dirt road.  The only place that was even close to out of the ordinary was just before we reached the trailhead where we had to ford a small creek; very minor obstacle.  We were at the trailhead about 10:30.  Just under and hour from the visitor center to this point near the northern boundary of the park.
 
There were two other vehicles at the trailhead for park road 12 where we were starting our hike.  One was parked near the road, a big Ford F-250.  Probably folks fishing in the stream a few hundred yards out in the meadow.  The other was parked near the trailhead sign so these folks are probably out on the trail somewhere.  OK, we won't have the trail all to ourselves, but pretty darn close.  We had a quick snack, got our packs on and started up the trail.  The sky was blue and still no clouds to be seen, the vegetation was green and lush, there was a slight breeze and the temperature was still very comfortable at somewhere around 70 F.  Perfect day for a hike.  Let's see what we can see!
 
The initial part of the trail is flat along a meadow and provides views up to the edge of the caldera where we are going.  At the end of the meadow we started climbing and really did not stop until we reached our turnaround where the trail basically exits the park.  Yep, uphill all the way, so there were many stops to catch our breath due to the elevation and the elevation change.   We started at about 8,500 feet above sea level, so we would have been a little short on oxygen even with a flat hike, but we were gaining height as we went.  In fact, we ended up just a hair over 10,000 feet as we neared the top of the rim.  I tracked the route on my phone using the Ramblr.com app.
 
The is a very nice hike with plenty of variety.  As mentioned, the initial portion is along a meadow and relatively flat, then the climb through the forested hillside as we worked our way up the caldera rim and finally out in the open as we continued up the side of the rim but in near in a sparsely wooded area which provided wonderful views in all directions.  The trail itself is an old road so very easy to follow.  Not much in the way of signage but it was not needed as the track of the road is very obvious.  The road still gets some use as we saw tire tracks in places and later in the hike there was a truck driving up the road, but more on that shortly.
 
We had pretty good luck with critter sightings along the trail.  Ranger Jacob told us we would see elk an d he was correct as not long after we started to gain altitude we spotted a cow in the road maybe 40 yards ahead of us.  We stopped to see if she was crossing the road or using it as a pathway.  Crossing.  Good.  Then another.  And another.  Probably seven or eight cows and maybe one bull crossed the road and continued at the trot through the woods below us.  OK, that was worth the price of admission (well, admission was free, but you know what I mean). 
 
There were also plenty of birds, but most were gone birds or were hiding in the foliage.  Other then a Robin the only one that I got a half-way decent photo of was a House Wren (confirmed again by Bird Forum but at least I guessed it correctly).  Loads of butterflies but again they were flitting about so much that photos were nearly impossible.  There were several big swallowtails along the lower park of the trail but higher up were swarms made of a variety of medium and small ones:  yellows ranging from pale to bright with shades including canary and butterscotch, orange and brown, little blue ones that just would not sit for a portrait, and tiny brown or black ones.  We saw and heard several woodpeckers as we walked through the trees.  It was difficult to get a good look due to their moving about, the cover from the trees and the lighting (lots of shadows), so we never got a firm handle on the exact species.  One seemed mostly black with a white color and white on its tail and another certainly had red on its head.  The closest that I could guess after looking at the species list after the trip was that maybe these were a Williamson's Sapsucker and a Red-naped Sapsucker, respectively, but no way to know for sure so we'll just go with woodpeckers of some sort. 
 
Once out of the trees, about 2.4 miles from the trailhead, the views opened up.  The initial views were looking up at the rim of the caldera but as we continued higher we could look back across the open bottom of the caldera.   The best views were along the last stretch as we climbed the mostly bare slope of the caldera rim.  Just after we broke out of the woods I just happened to glimpse a piece of plastic laying on the trail.  Litter here?  Not exactly.  It was someone's park pass.  The name was illegible but maybe it belongs to the folks who are out here ahead of us (they must be ahead of us as we have seen no one else on the trail so far, which is quite the bonus).  Worst case is that we'll turn it in at the visitor center.  
 
The temperature was still very pleasant, probably a degree or two lower than when we started due to higher elevation.  The sky was still a brilliant blue and there were a few fluffy white clouds out on the horizon.  Still ideal for hiking.  Now that we were more out in the open there were a few interesting landscapes to photograph, trying to incorporate some lone trees (alive and dead) into the slopes and angles of the caldera rim.  I played as we marched a long in part to keep Lynn moving and partly not to break my own tempo up the hillside.
 
Above half way up the final slope we spotted a truck following us up the trail.  It had just emerged from the tree line so it has a ways to go to catch us (as good as the trail along the road it for hiking, it is still not a highway for motor vehicles!).   The truck stopped at the bottom of the last uphill section along the face of the caldera rim.  In fact, we did not pass the truck until we were on our way back down the trail.  We continued up the trail and through the open gate that we reckoned marked the park boundary.  The trail leveled out at this point and entered a wooded area.  The trail then started to lose some elevation, which we really did not want to do on this side of the ridge line.  Since we did not have a detailed map we decided that this would be a good place for our end of the trail and for a snack break.  It was not long after our break that we met the truck on the trail.  He had also made it through the gate so we were in the wooded section when he caught us.  It was kid from New Mexico State, an intern in forestry, out doing chores.  We chatted for a bit.  Lynn asked him where the road led; basically it continues out into Forest Service land and connects up with another service road.  We thought it might switch back and provide access higher up on the caldera rim, but he did not think so.  OK, that just confirms that we did good by turning around.  We said our goodbyes and all continued on our way.
 
Downhill is so much quicker than uphill when hiking.  Not necessarily easier as there is still stress on the knees (maybe more so going down a steep trail).  But we made good time on the return trip.  Just about the time we were reentering the forested part of the trail, we saw two hikers coming down from the rim.  I wonder if they were the folks who lost the park pass.  Maybe they will catch us and we can find out.  Spoiler:  they never did.  We had the trail to ourselves for the return hike.  We did not see another soul, human at least, until we reached the trailhead.  There were still plenty of birds and butterflies, plus some interesting squirrels (Abert's we think), but we were the only people and we enjoyed the solitude immensely.  Back at the trailhead, the fishermen in the F-250 had completed their angling duties for the day and were lounging about, most likely telling stories about the one that got away (that's what me and my fishing buddies used to do after a day of wading the trout streams back in West Virginia).  It was around 2:15 when we were back in the car and driving away from the number 12 trailhead.
 
Since we had roughly an hour of drive time to get back to the visitor center and we had to be back by 5:00, we decided that perhaps we should just call it a day as far as exploring Valles Caldera was concerned.  Sure we could have probably squeezed in another short hike, but we just completed a 6-miler with plenty of elevation change, so we're probably good for hiking today (besides, we were still planning on walking to dinner back in Santa Fe).  So we just retraced our route back to the visitor center where we stopped to report in and sign out of the park (yes, you have to let the Rangers know that you are back from the back country).  Once we had checked in with the Rangers I took a few final photos of the caldera as well as a Barn Swallow that was perched on the fence near the parking area.  There were a smattering of high, white clouds floating over the caldera that added a little more interest to the view.
 
As we exited the preserve, as stopped for a few photos, first at the creek crossing, then the park entrance sign and finally at the overlook along route 4 to get one final vista of the caldera. 

Made a day trip into the caldera and a middle of the night trip for night sky photography. So picturesque. Fun ride down Route 4.

Drove through a bit and enjoyed seeing a large herd of Elk. We happened upon Valles Caldera at the end of the day, so it was close to closing, but the short amount of time was peaceful and beautiful. Was very happy to have seen the Elk, it was a complete surprise! Definitely will be coming back to explore more next time.

A beautiful morning to ride with our local bike friends. So glad I joined the ride-and tho hills were challenging , yet so lived it all ESP riding along the Caldera expanse. Look forward to returning to hike some of those inviting trails too

Do the cabin tour, or any of the tours. The personnel here is fabulously knowledgeable and very professional. The tall grass set against the volcanic mounds is breathtaking. I will be back here, often, to do some real hiking.

The Caldera is now operated under the National Park Service. The change just took place Oct. 2015. It is an amazing site, much of which can be seen from pull offs on Hwy 4. If you are planning to visit, go to their website to see what is going on. They have much more to offer in the summer, but weather changes what is offered in the winter frequently. If it snows too much, Hwy. 4 is difficult to travel up to the Caldera and they close the Visitor's Center. I also recommend reading up on the geology of the area. It is fascinating and makes viewing the Preserve all the better. Oftentimes there are elk in the Valle Grande but bring your binoculars! Due to the size and scope of the Valle, the elk sometimes appear as little "ants" off in the distance. FYI, Longmire, the TV series, films all the scenes of Longmire's cabin on the Preserve. When tours are offered, you can visit his cabin!

This is an amazing place! I recommend the tour available for free at the visitor center. I was the only person on the tour with Mr. Trout. He was very knowledgeable about the geology and history of the property. We saw a herd of elk, prairie dogs and lots of birds. It was so peaceful and quiet, no crowds!

We were headed from Santa Fe to Albuquerque via Los Alamos and Bandelier So hard to believe that the grasslands we saw were the inside of a former volcano. Drove down to the preserve and took the inexpensive ($3) one hour van tour with Jim Trout. Just recently it came under the ownership of the US government Great to see our tax dollars at work

Treat yourself and stop by this wonderful, wild place. Look around and drink in your surroundings. Beautiful trails available, and a less than two mile easy, flat loop starts and ends at the visitor center. Take a picnic (there is a table on the loop, but remember to bring water) for a relaxed chance to enjoy your surroundings. This is not a place with a big indoor visitor center for children and seniors, much more for actually being outside. Not sure when there is a fee, but it was free when we were there.

Another not-to-be-missed natural wonder in New Mexico. There are so many — you never run out of places to see. Take a hike—literally, around the Caldera and its trails for an unbeatable outdoor treat.

I've been here three times in the past several months, taking it all in. I've hiked several trails in the caldera and nearby and have driven it. It's a special place. Get there early to get a driving pass! They only issue 35 passes each day. The grassland and mountain caldera looks large from the visitors' center, but that's only part of this massive formation.

Having visited the area for over 20 years and stopped to view the Baca from the rim, we finally got to drive inside. What an amazing experience. There are so many birds, prairie dogs, and we even saw a coyote. A visitor may see elk, or any number of native animals in the area. The views are spectacular! Several movies and series have been shot in this area. The geologic history is amazing. If you have any time at all, stop and you will not be disappointed.

This park is stunning. The Caldera is huge, and supports abundant elk and other wildlife. The creeks in the Preserve are full of trout, and a blast to fish for. And, the cost is FREE.

this enormous caldera is worth a visit for the nature, the history, the geology, or just a chance to turn and turn and see this 'valley' that was once a volcano. it's amazing. i'm sorry that we didn't have time for exploring more. we had no idea that we would find so much in this otherwise pretty much ignored chunk of new mexico.

The drive from Santa Fe to Valles Caldera was an easy 1 1/2 hours drive. At the visitor center, my wife and I had the pleasure of listening and learning from Jim Trout, a member of Valles Caldera Preserve. Jim treated us to a demonstration of the art of arrow and bow making, viewing a selection of tools, and playing a drum. All of these items were made by Jim based upon Native American techniques.

Although we were not aware of this opportunity prior to arriving at the visitor center, it was definitely worth the time. We certainly learned a lot from Jim. I hope that I can bring my children and grandchildren back to learn from him in the near future.

We were able to reserve a back country permit so that we could go onto the back roads of Valles Caldera. The road is dirt but easily manageable if you have all wheel drive. For some sections, it would be helpful if your vehicle has relatively high ground clearance. Our Subaru Outback handled it without any trouble whatsoever. However, standard sedans may find some stretches to be a challenge although I did see a red Chevrolet sedan during the first part of the drive. But as I soon passed it up, I am not sure how much further the Chevy sedan went.

Beautiful vistas from within the caldera made the drive well worth the time. Valles Cadera is relatively unknown and thus not crowded as the nearby Bandelier National Monument is. If you do visit, bring your own food and drink as the nearest services are in Los Alamos. I wholeheartedly recommend you take the time to visit Valles Caldera National Preserve. Truly one of the crown jewels of the Southwest.

... that keeps getting better. The National Park Service now runs the Caldera. We arrived in time to take a van tour to the far end of the Caldera. Great volunteer gave us an interesting tour.The formation of it millions of years ago, how man has used it.
Another visitor center is open by the cabins; there's a movie to watch on volcanoes. An elk display is informative.
Fun place to cross country ski in the winter; it gets bitter cold there, tho'

I am not a geologist, but since a youngster I have been interested in things geologic. Here is geology on display and in full beauty and destructive and reconstructive majesty. I drove by this once a few years back not appreciating what I was looking at, but then I read about it and decided to visit again. Get there early enough to have a chance at the back country drive in lottery - a certain number every day. The beauty will be its own reward for the effort. And you get to see Walt's cabin!

This was our first experience of the National Preserve. We entered the grounds not knowing what to expect. We were greeted warmly at the Welcome Center (where you can purchase coffee & Hot chocolate for $1.00 - no price gouging here). For $5.00/person we were given a 1-hour tour by a seasoned guide, whose knowledge of the geology, history, wildlife, and area was impressive and fun.
This is an awe-inspiring area well worth your time and attention.

This was the most informative and professionally directed tour that my wife and I have ever taken.

The husband and wife tour guides are both geologist with years of investigative field study on this specific volcano and associated geological formations. Their presentation was in lay language that was a perfect balance of theory blended with in the field observations.

The riding tour lasted 6 hours with frequent dismount stops for major points of interest. There was constant discussion during the ride regarding our observations and those pointed out by our guides.

We had visited the Caldera numerous times before but we were more that delighted with a deeper look into the back country. The scenery is spectacular

The cost was decidedly low for what was provided and especially for the knowledge of the Goffs.

The Musick's

Enormous old ranch with a huge meadow with mountains in the background in all directions. Lots of wildlife as well.

We enjoyed traveling through, but would have loved to have been there when they were offering snowshoeing (the next day). We hope to go back to experience the preserve more.

We recently went on the one hour tour of this national treasure----hard to beat for the price. It is one of the unspoiled places in the US and we can only hope that it stays that way. The tour was great....you get a bit of history of the place and learn about the geology. Saw a few coyotes, but it is just the wide open spaces and the unspoiled glory of the land, the clean air, that stays with you. The staff is great, our guide, Carmen, was very knowledgeable and could not have been nicer. A great way to spend a day in New Mexico whether you are a native, a transplant or a visitor. Highly recommend.

Valles Caldera is a national treasure - beautiful and awe inspiring. We went on the evening Elk Van Tour and had a wonderful time. We reserved our spaces in advance for a Friday evening tour, but to our surprise the van wasn't full; only one other couple joined us. Jim Trout, our driver and guide, was excellent - friendly and knowledgable about the wildlife, the landscape, and the preserve's history, and able to convey his knowledge in an interesting way. And we saw hundreds of elk! Bring your binoculars!

walked the trails and enjoyed the peace and quiet...ranger station is closed but rangers were there to answer questions and hand out maps...

excellent gift shop, super friendly and courteous staff. I love the trails and hiking areas. the elk viewing areas are great

I have made 2 trips to Valles Caldera, once in the spring once this fall. This is definitely a place to give yourself some time to explore. Use their webpage to plan to take advantage of tour times and to be sure of access. The staff at the Preserve headquarters are exceptionally helpful.

We've been wanting to hike and fly fish in the Caldera ever since moving to NM but up until about a year ago, it was difficult to gain access. Since being acquired by the National Park Service, it's much easier. There is a limit of 35 vehicles per day and when that number is reached, that's it. So, early arrival is suggested. When we got there at 8:30 there were only two vehicles registered at the ranger station. When we left at 2:15, we passed many cars and 12 were in the parking lot. Many of our National Parks are being loved to death and we don't want this to happen here. The caldera is massive - 13 miles wide and formed around 1.25 million years ago when a super volcano erupted. The views are expansive and absolutely stunning. We saw at least 50 elk and some well fed coyotes. There are many hiking trails and a map is available at the ranger station. We drove 12 miles to hike a trail that was basically a dirt road with very pretty views. We only saw one other person in 2 hours. There are several meandering streams where brown trout thrive. We only caught one 9 incher but saw many who just weren't interested in what we had to offer. Single, barbless hooks with flies and a NM fishing license are required. There are several abandoned ranch structures and one is currently used in the Netflix series, Longmire. Plan on spending time just wandering and reveling in the best that Mother Nature has to offer.

The Valles Caldera National Preserve is a volcanic caldera that is 13.7 miles wide and is located in the Jemez Mountain of northern New Mexico. It is 95,000 acres in size and the highest point within the preserve is a lava dome-Redondo Peak 11,253 foot in altitude. Access is on the east side of the preserve via NM highway 4.

The preserve has a program that started in May 2015 that allows 24 vehicles to “drive themselves” around the preserve. The preserve honors the National Park passes and we used our Senior Pass. We were told the preserve will become a National Park. Call to inquire about the Back Country Access.

There are several porta-potties on the preserve and the only drinking water is at the Visitor Center. I did not see any munchies at the Visitor Center. So the nearest food is Los Alamos or Jemez Springs.

There are two gravel roads that can be traveled. One road is east-west and starts at the Visitor Center and connects to another gravel road on the west side of the preserve that runs north-south. Plan on approximately 2 to 3 hours to drive the two roads.

When we visited on 14 July 2015 and there had been recent rains. Everything was very green and the roads were somewhat muddy. We had a high clearance vehicle and we drove around without problem. I do not recommend you travel in small low clearance vehicles on these roads.

We did see one herd of elk and two coyotes. There are also cattle on the preserve.

We enjoyed it. The Staff was nice and helpful.

Had a great time! The views where amazing! The female Ranger was very helpful and informative. We got to play in the snow. We had a sled we used at White Sands. Hope to come back during the summer.

It's difficult to actually get onto the Caldera. Sometimes it's closed. There is only one road into the Caldera. We drove by it several times, but never got into the Caldera.

We came during the winter season, but still had an incredible time. We took a van tour with Gary, and he was so knowledgeable. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. There isn’t a bad view. There are lots of wonderful hiking trails too. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE VAN TOUR WITH GARY. Definitely a fantastic place to stop.

We visited the caldera after seeing historic Los Alamos. Initially, GPS tried to route us through Los Alamos National Laboratory property. We knew from the security gates we couldn't go there, so we took the long way (roughly a 40 mile drive) to find the Caldera. This worked out because we could the volcanic residue in the surrounding cliffs. By the time we arrived, there was no time to take the unpaved road to the Visitors' Center, but we were happy to have seen the land.

I only had a very brief opportunity to visit this special place after stopping at the Walatowa Visitor Center and hiking the trail there into magnificent and magical red rock formations, including a slot canyon. Driving on from there, I discovered Valles Caldera National Monument and stopped to see my first ever prairie dogs. In the distance was an elk herd. Located in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, Valles Caldera National Preserve protects, preserves, and restores ecosystems and cultural landscapes within an outstanding example of a volcanic caldera for the purpose of education, scientific research, public enjoyment and use, and cultural continuity. I need to return here and take advantage of the many hikes available and view the night sky!

A very interesting place to visit, lots of hiking and picture taking opportunities, they offer only a limited number of people into the "park", after that you have to wait so get there early.

We may not have seen any magma nor magpies, but what a wonder-filled tour! Our guide, Carmen, was tops! So knowledgeable and entertaining! Though we did not exit the vehicle (a bit muddy after a day of rain), Carmen did drive us close enough for us to enjoy seeing a current movie-scene being filmed in New Mexico. The history of the Caldera is so rich as is the geology of it. We are locals from Jemez Springs, and were pleased to share this experience with family members from Oregon --who were equally impressed. Thanks again, Carmen, for a great tour !

Valles Caldera is a magical experience! A truly vast, beautiful, hidden gem of wildlife, natural wonders, and open spaces ready to greet you. I've been fortunate to visit several years in a row now, and I can truly say it is one of my happy places on this entire planet. I can breathe there, and it is a peaceful, welcoming place. Hard to describe just how wondrous it is unless you see it. Herds of elk were gathered in the valley last year, as the park was closed to visitors, but if you miss this preserve, you miss an unforgettable experience. Bring binoculars, if you have them, as many elk and other animals roam freely in the preserve.

Arrive early, as the drive up from ABQ can be long. Allow enough time to visit, hike and explore, and bring plenty of your own food and water, as supplies are limited/nonexistent, and no restaurants are located near the park.

It is remote, which is part of its appeal, and likely why it has survived as such a natural wonder! If you want to drive the park, you must arrive early on the weekends to secure a pass as they limit the number of vehicles, and an SUV/high-profile truck is essential as the roads are not paved.

We ventured to Valles Caldera on its last day as a project of the Department of Agriculture. On October 1, it became part of the Department of the Interior. We assume that this will mean that some of the old ranch buildings will be open and that the natural and human history will be better explicated. However, even in its relatively undeveloped state, we found this vast meadow created by North America's largest volcano (long extinct) hypnotically beautiful. Because of the relatively wet summer, the herds of elk, we were told, had been able to find plenty of food in the back country, so we didn't spot them. One of the best things about Valles Caldera is that it lies along Highway 4, the scenic route from Los Alamos through Jemez Springs to suburban Albuquerque -- worth the drive on its own.

Scenic Driving tour, hiking the caldera, guided walks - Valles Caldera National Preserve is a true hidden gem. The caldera is located in the Jemez Mountains. It is like a mini Yellowstone to me.Beautiful, fascinating and only DORMANT. Before going look it up on line to plan your visit well . There are many events and guided tours you can join. No time to visit? From the scenic point take pictures of the caldera.

The Park service personnel are very nice and knowledgeable. We had a great time just hanging out at the visitor center and reading up on what the area and wildlife were like. We got some great photos of some local wildlife and plan on going back this fall to see the elk.

Exceptionally beautiful area. Arrive early since they only grant 35 cars permission to drive the "backcountry." All roads are gravel and passable by ordinary cars. Great interest to geologists since it is an enormous volcanic caldera having erupted 1.2 ma. Visitor center opens 15 May to 30 Sep. Formally known as the Valles Caldera National Preserve which allows it also to function as a working cattle ranch. If you are a birder, you will be well-rewarded.

We visited in mid March with family of 4, including a 6 and 9 year old. We arrived close to closing and didn't get to explore. National Geographic crew was on site researching local prairie dog colony. Interesting geologic features and history. We will return for hiking, other activities. Facilities, visitor center, roads are make shiftat best, likely due to the age of the newly designated national preserve.

Great place to view wildlife, large elk herds numerous birds to observe headwaters of several streams that run through the Jemez

While we knew in advance the road was not paved, "ridiculous" would be a better way to describe it. If you are the driver, don't expect to see anything, because if your eyes stray from the road, even momentarily, you will hit a pothole, drainage ditch, large rock or sundry other surprise. Ten MPH is about the maximum speed you should expect. We should have been tipped off by the entrance road to the guard station, which was itself deplorable. Charging $20 for this "opportunity" is something the National Park Service should be ashamed of. Hopefully, the view was breathtaking.

This was a real disappointment. After driving all the way out, we found out that we couldn’t take our 7 lbs dog in a camper just to drive out and see the animals that might be near San Antonio Creek. We have been to parks that don't allow pets except in some parts. We don't take him out when he's not allowed. In this place we were only allowed to walk him in the flat valley near the visitor center. He would have never been taken out if he wasn't allowed. Just a short visit was all we wanted. This was a complete waste of time. It’s not like we were local. Very disappointing!

The best part was seeing all the prairie dogs running around the gravel leading to the visitor center.

My wife and I have never visited a National Park site we did not like. Valles Caldera is one of the newest. We have seen the caldera when it was not a NPS site but did not go in. Now we can drive in and really see the location. It's a dirt road which is about 12 miles long if you get a back country pass. Almost any car can make it but you may just want to do the visitors center which is about 2 miles in. Can you believe there was ever a volcano this big?

Formed by an extinct super volcano (caldera), the Valles Caldera offers incredible vistas of grassland in the extinct cone of the volcano, surrounded by the mountainous rimcovered with trees. Check the website for hiking facilities and tours.

We get up real early to see the Elk. In the fall they are along the road because they are in rut and we hear them bugle like crazy we were here in May and they were not close to the road as they had a prescribed burn of the meadow but now since it is a National Park you can drive in the meadow and get close to them Hard to believe just how big this is

This beautiful place always gives me great peace. It is truly magnificent and I never tire of seeing it. I hope the NPS does as great a job as the Trust did in caring for this treasure.

Hidden gem if you wish to hike and explore. Likely to view large elk herd if you stay long enough. Meadow with streams great for catch and release of native trout. Outdoors at it best. High altitude so take it easy.

Turns out that this Caldera area was granted to my Wife's ancestors by the King of Spain several hundred years ago.

You are able to drive into it to a visitors center. There are also cabins that are on the west side for hunting and camping. Was there in the middle of August and everything is green. Had an afternoon thunder storm roll through, no lightning but the rain and thunder was a nice addition to the experience.

Went to on outlook on the top of the rim and you look down on where you were and everything is SO small.

The Valles Caldera is a vast area (13.7 wide volcanic caldera) that offers the chance to see wildlife ( elk and deer mostly).

You can do birding, fly fishing and in the winter it's a great place for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

The Valles Caldera is a must see. This ancient volcano is a gem - filled with elk, blue sky, golden grasses, brown trout, obsidian, and vistas for miles. Go early to get a back country permit and enjoy having a national preserve almost to yourself!

What a wonderful tour guide whose enthusiasm and knowledge made our trip here unforgettable. Thank you Carmen Munoz Bloomberg.

It was beautiful but I got more out of it from the road above than in the park. I think the main issue was the roads are very rough if you drive a Prius like me. I was white knuckled most of the drive. Since it's such a new National Park, there is no signage so we couldn't find where any of the hike trailheads were. We ended up just walking down a cross country ski path for a bit. The highlight was when we left and we pulled over on the Jemez Springs Trail and saw a few herds of elk. It was a better vantage point then from inside the park.

One of the most gorgeous places I have ever been in my many years of traveling! If you want to have your breath taken away by the beauty of creation, this is a MUST-SEE!

Walk on this grassy trail in New Mexico, and you are walking on history. Explosive history.

That's because you are standing in the middle of a volcano. It's a rather odd feeling to do so, provided you know the history of the area.

It seems that once upon a time, that meadow was the middle of a super-volcano - more than 13 miles wide in spots. More than a million years ago, it blew in gigantic fashion, changing the topography of the area for many miles. Everyone seemed to have a different idea of the amount of material that was discharged by the boom, but they all agree that it was much, much bigger than the 1980 explosion at Mount St. Helens.

Thankfully for us, the volcano is now dormant. It is a giant meadow that has been the home to wildlife for centuries. The area used to be in private hands, but now it is part of the National Park Service. There are said to be 5,000 elk in the park boundaries, as well as other animals. Valles hosts some hunting and fishing during the season. It also has plenty of dirt roads for those who want to explore the area, as well as a marathon race (!), cross country skiing and some lodging.

You should get there early and try to see as much of the park as you can. I don't know if the kids will like it, and I don't know how far I'd go out of my way to take a walk around the meadow. But it's pretty.

This is a place that must be visited while in Northern New Mexico. The scenery and the wildlife is just fantastic! It can be visited at any time of the year and it is just beautiful no matter what the season. You can hike, bike, ride your horse or drive your car - but it is a must see.

The drive here from Los Alamos was incredible & the preserve is beautiful. We enjoyed the tour & the history of the property.

We drove from Corrales through Jemez reservation up to the Valles Caldera on Rt 4 I think. We did not take the side route for sake of time. The Valles Caldera approach is amazing. the Drive into the Caldera is beautiful. We arrived late in the afternoon so only had time for a short 1.5 mile hike, but it was wonderful. The rangers in the visitor center were very helpful. We plan to go back sometime. There is a lot to do and see here. We drove out through Los Alamos. Looking back should have started the day much earlier.

Called ahead to check details regarding the Caldera. The office staff was very friendly and helpful. We arrived shortly after 8 am so we could be within the 35 admitted for the day. Our main reason for visiting was to see the cabin that the Longmire series of Walt’s cabin was located. We enjoyed the 1.8 walk to it. You could also drive. The beauty of seeing forever and elevation is nature at it’s best. The prairie dogs were also enjoying the morning sun. Otherwise we didn’t see any wildlife. Great stop.

I'm a geology nut married to someone who is not; however, she does appreciate scenic drives in the Southwest (that's why we moved to New Mexico from DC). A little over an hour from downtown Albuquerque, we arrived at the visitor center for Valles Caldera. While the last eruption was recent in geologic terms, it was the outstanding interpretive tour given by Carmen that brought everything to life for us. The Caldera is a true gem -- it was only recently purchased by the Federal Government, but the previous owners never developed the area, so it is virtually pristine. A nice day trip from either Albuquerque or Santa Fe!

My husband and I went to the beautiful Valles Caldera National Preserve on a Wednesday afternoon. The well-marked entrance to the preserve is located at mile marker 39 on NM-4. From there, we drove a gravel road for 2 miles to the visitor center. There were many prairie dogs near the visitor center and a couple short easy trails. The Jemez River runs through the preserve between the entrance and visitor center. The river was small but I got some pretty pictures of the cloud reflections in the water. The rangers were friendly. The visitor center had pit restrooms. The visitor center was open so we got a pass to drive the backroads of the preserve. There are many miles of roads to take in the preserve but we drove only 5 miles passed the visitor center. We walked around the cabin district. There were several old cabins, houses and barns. There was no charge to enter the preserve. The preserve is open 8 am – 6 pm May 15 – October 31 and open 9 am – 5 pm November 1 – May 14. We enjoyed about 2 hours at the preserve.

One of the most scenic and serene places ever visited. The grassland meadow atop the caldera is a great place to observe elk ,- we saw three. Mountain Bluebirds by the score will greet you as you arrive. Be sure to view the East Fork of the Jemez River - stunning.

Beautiful place, much history. Our tour with Carmen driving and teaching and showing and knowing was remarkable. She is a treasure for this Preserve. Knows a great deal about a great deal and integrates it all.

Valles Caldera wide volcanic caldera in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. Hot springs, streams, fumaroles, natural gas seeps and volcanic domes dot the caldera floor landscape. The highest point in the caldera is Redondo Peak, an 11,253-foot resurgent lava dome located entirely within the caldera. Also within the caldera are several grass valleys [Valle(s)] the largest of which is Valle Grande, the only one accessible by a paved road. Much of the caldera is within the Valles Caldera National Preserve, a unit of the National Park System.

Compared with other things we visited, this did not inspire us to spend any more time than just driving through.

The drive from The Bandelier National Park is beautiful!!! The igneous rock formations displayed on the rock faces as you neared the area demonstrated the power of the super volcano that erupted here millions of years ago. To suddenly drive upon the actual crater is a scientists dream area. I loved being able to physically drive down into the bottom center of the massive structure. The employees at the Visitors Center were so knowledgeable about the history of the area. We arrived too late in the day to physically hike the trails, but we took many interesting photos. Make this park a bucket list must see places!

We decided to extend our afternoon after visiting Bandelier. The drive through the mountains is, at times, not for the faint of heart but the views from 9,000+ feet are remarkable. Snow is still visible along the roadside in mid April. The caldera is huge and something we had never seen. Drive into the caldera and find the prairie dogs playing near the visitor center.

Beautiful scenery and fishing was awesome! ! Seems like you can walk and explore forever, because this area is so beautiful! I will be making at least one trip per month there to fish and enjoy the wide open space.

Stopped at Valles Caldera National Preserve on our way from Santa Fe to Jemez Springs and such a breathtaking site.

Valles Caldera is a 13.7-mile wide volcanic caldera in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. Hot springs, streams, fumaroles, natural gas seeps and volcanic domes dot the caldera floor landscape.

There's a bumpy gravel road to take you to the parking area and trailheads. Ranger Geoff is super friendly . There was a herd of over 100 elk there on the day we were there. Good views and interesting history.

Longmire fans, this is Walt's cabin, barn and corral. The view is spectacular. If your are a fly fisherman, they line up early and deep to check in at 9:00.

We drove through here on a day trip and were happy we did. I'd seen it from the sky in the spring, but it's just as beautiful with snow in the winter. With lots of fresh snow, we were afraid to drive into the preserve, but it's majestic even from the road.

We go to Valles Caldera preserve every year for a sleigh ride. It is a special, magical place, with unsurpassed natural beauty. It is wonderful that this outdoor gem is open to visit and explore!

This is a extinct volcanic crater that is about 12 miles wide. It is a beautiful natural area. Natives have been in the are for over 10,000 years, and a section of the preserve is owned by one of the pueblos, as it is a sacred site.
There are hot springs and volcanic domes on the valley floor. There are elk coyotes and domestic cattle in the preserve. There are also a very large population a prairie dogs, which helps explain the very large and hefty coyote we saw while visiting.
The area has been used in a number of western films and the Longmire TV series. Walt's ranch house is on one of the preserve dirt roads.
If you can visit on a bright sunny day, as we did you will be enchanted.

Wonderful park, plenty to see and do for sure. We only went in about six miles, the roads were fine, even for a smaller vehicle. We seen about fifty elk some close others at a distance. There were a bunch of prairie dogs near the ranger station. The neat of cabins are pretty neat to walk around. You could spend all day at this park exploring. There is a large area of the park that is open for juvenile hunters for elk during hunting season, just be aware.

When I was 9 or 10 years old, growing up in Albuquerque, my older brother would take me and my younger brother fishing in an area not far from Valle Calderas. Fast forward 45 years later, I was traveling from Denver (where I live now)to Jemez Springs to drop our son off at the Hummingbird Music Camp. Driving down HW 4 after the recent fire, the majestic beauty of Valle Calderas caught my eye and drew me in. This past Sunday, I got up early, drove to the park entrance and waited with a handful of other would-be hikers for the park ranger to open the park and follow him into the ranger station. All of the rangers working that day were extraordinarily helpful -- I explained that I only had a couple hours before I had head back to Jemez Springs for my son's concert and then head back to Denver. Knowing this, the ranger gave me precise directions as to where to go and I began the meandering trek along the one-lane road. When I finally reached my destination, I felt as though I was transported to this idyllic place where I experienced some of my fondest childhood memories of growing up in NM. Though I didn't catch a fish (or even get a bite) my Valle Calderas experience was total bliss. Tears welled up in my eyes as I bid farewell to this magical place -- my fervent hope and prayer is that the Valle Calderas remain the unscathed treasure for generations to come.

We were just sight seeing along one of the prettiest drives we've ever been on and saw this National Preserve. We drove a short distance to the info/gift shop, hoping to see some wild elk along the way.

To witness an event that took place 1.5 billion yrs ago. Looking down into a crater that last erupted 35,000 yrs ago. Be able to drive across the crater which was once an active volcano.

Came here to explore this fairly new National Preserve. The facility was opened in 2015 so it is a fairly new National facility. The access is a dirt road to a small visitors center, they have a ranger there and a small gift shop. The literature says they limit access to 35 cars a day to go into the “back country” of the property. We got a free permit and took the drive. The road was a little washboarded and there were a few wet potholes to go through, other than that it was fine. Any kind of car could do it if you go slow. 4 WD is probably best, but we did not use it on our truck. At first we thought it was just ho-hum. No facilities, such as picnic tables (they are to be added in the future) and there is only a couple of spots with ports potties so be ready for that as the only real bathroom is at the Visitors Center. We stopped and talked to a ranger, he was super nice and helpful. We ate our lunch in our truck and saw a badger. The badger was searching for their lunch and we had the joy of watching it walk around for about 20-30 minutes. What a joy. Also the place is filled with Rocky Mountain Blue Birds (a bird I have always wanted to see!), perched on all of the signs. And there is a group of cute (but sadly a bit destructive) prairie dogs at the visitors center. There are a few cool old barns and cabins. The streams running through the place were small, but interesting. The views were spectacular. The ho-hum day turned out to be a great visit and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Lots of bike riding and hiking trails, to enjoy the rolling open meadows and ponderosa pine forests.

Valles Caldera National Preserve is a part of the National Parks service. It formed as a result of a 6 million years ago volcanic eruption, 500 times greater than Mt. Helens. The 89,000 acre reserve was made a National Park on Sept. 2015. A rough dirt road leads off of NM Hwy 4 that leads to the visitor trailhead. The rangers the day we visited said they were very busy the day we visited with over 250 visitors.
There is an easy hike from the center called Cerro La Jara Loop of about 1.2 miles long that took us about 40 minutes which is very pretty. Pick up a loop trail guide from the center which explains the fauna and scenery at designated numbered markers. Your walk takes you around Cerro La Jara, a volcanic dome covered with beautiful pine, fir and spruce trees. There is a picnic table at the 1/2 mark. The whole walk is child friendly and you might see elk, prairie dogs and a lot of birds.

We were fortunate enough to get a backcountry pass to visit deeper into the preserve. It was a gorgeous area - a number of people were fishing for trout - not sure if they were catching fish, but they sure looked at peace in the sunshine and quiet of the day.

Our party of friends thoroughly enjoyed the awesome scenery of the Valles Caldera region. It reminded us of the fantastic geological history of North America. I recommend that one review some of the great geological history related YOUTUBE videos. Note: The current drought conditions and restrictions should be checked out prior to a visit.

This is a beautiful valley to visit. We were mainly going to see the Longmire Cabin. It would have been nice not to have a bright yellow sign and chain across the steps so that you could take a picture without the chain showing. I realize people often don't stay off even when told to. Had a nice drive along the valley and a hike that weren't sure if we were on the right trail. Signage for hiking trails is very poor and we did speak to rangers and they were having a meeting that week to decide what signs to fix or replace.

Carmen Blumberg, the leader was fantastic! All of the hikers were giving slips of paper naming them as a character who lived there in the past and what year they would have been there. She made the dome come alive! You felt you were really there during that time period. Carmen was always checking to make sure we were okay. Definitely need good supportive shoes as the ground was uneven; also water and snacks. This was a 2.5 hr outing. There was a 100 foot change in elevation but plenty of time to catch breath if need be. The Caldera is beautiful and not to be missing. Now with plenty of activities year round.

Usually it takes us about 2 hours to get here so we content ourselves with riding our bikes from the visitor center as far as we can on the park road #01-02 and turning around for the ride back when we need to and it is a lovely ride. This time we were staying nearby, so made plans to arrive at the park when it opens at 8 to snag one of the very limited car passes given out daily. At 8 am on a Saturday in June, the parking lot was already full of anglers and others waiting to permit. It is worth it! We drove into the backcountry all the way out to the eastern end of #09, then turned and drove out to the intersection of #02 and #09 to park and ride our mountain bikes #09-#08-#10. It is not a technical ride but there was a fair bit of climbing! We loved getting out there, didn't see many other people all day long. Rode to the park gate and returned the way we came; saw elk, coyote, birds, thousands of butterflies & wildflowers. A bit windy out in the open spaces, but oh so gorgeous. Brought a picnic. Will return another time to fish!
FYI: there are designated parking spots and portapotties nicely spaced throughout the park, but no lodging or food within the park. We stayed at Elk Mountain Lodge which was a 20-30 minute drive away but there are numerous campgrounds in the Jemez near the park.
One other tip: saw folks obtaining permits at 2 pm when we returned and asked about it. Turns out that as the early birds return to the park headquarter in the afternoon on weekends, the park will reassign those permits but not after 3 pm. Kind of nice to know!

A trip to Valles Caldera is a wonderful, peaceful experience. This is an 89,000 acre caldera with valleys and formations from a 40,000 year old volcano (I hope I have these numbers correct). The scenery is spectacular and the quiet and peaceful feeling of this huge, open expanse of grass, marshes and forests is only interrupted by birds and crickets. We went on a Friday evening Elk Tour with a guide whose knowledge about the area was extensive. The guide explained the history of the geography of the area and explained the how's and why's of the nature in this area. I would definitely recommend this to tourists or to locals who have not entered this National Park before. This is an example of the huge variety of outdoor natural areas that New Mexico has to offer.

We were the last ones allowed in for the day. Drove as far as we were allowed-nice scenery. We saw two coyotes and a number of elk. It is an enormous caldera from an extinct volcano that formed a lot of the terrain of the region. Very interesting. If you combine a visit here with the museum in Los Alamos, it all makes better sense.

Although we were too late for the guided elk tour, we could imagine these noble animals grazing the belly-high grass following the recent summer-afternoon rains. The park doesn't have much in the way of facilities, but the location is so lovely that it has served as a setting for Westerns, most recently the TV series "Longmire."

one of the biggest in the world. Endless views. We did not see the
Elk, but read that it is a huge heard. Hope to come back and see the elk. Beautiful area

Twenty-four miles west of Los Alamos past Bandelier National Monument on NM 4, we climb to 11,253-feet in the Jemez Mountains. Valles Caldera is managed by the Valles Caldera Trust and includes 89,000 acres.Estimated to have erupted between 50,000 to 60,000 years ago, this volcanic caldera(collapsed crater) stretches close to fourteen miles wide and is one of only three "super volcanoes" in the United States. In regards to human occupation, spear points have been found dating 11,000 years ago. If you are lucky to see them, three large herds of elk keep the grass well-groomed. Definitely, Valles Crater is a beautiful, impressive and expansive place to dwarf and to humble you.

The Valles Caldera is the collapsed basin of a very large volcano. The basin is 13 miles across and is a beautiful meadow. It was a private ranch until the last 10 or 15 years when it became part of the Park Service. As a private ranch it was used for a number of movies.

Britney did an excellent job of explaining the Preserve and made the experience a lot of fun! Would recommend, especially for Seniors and/or Kids.

The Valles Caldera is a stunningly beautiful national treasure, fortunately now in the care of the US Park Service and open to public enjoyment. The largest crater in North America is a photogenic and breathtaking view in any season. The largest herd of elk in New Mexico roam the preserve. Fishing is often excellent.

We enjoyed our visit here and our short hike. My only regret is that we didn’t get here soon enough to really see anything other than the large expanse of the valley area. Still just the drive was incredibly beautiful. The park ranger there was so sweet. Clean bathrooms available. Worth the drive!

Valles Caldera is 20 miles west of Los Alamos on New Mexico highway 4. This is a new NPS site as of 2015 or 2016. This is well worth a visit to see some beautiful landscape. NPS volunteers are on site to help answer questions. Driving beyond the visitor center does require a free, NPS back country pass. There’s also a ton of prairie dogs in the area.

My wife and I first passed by the Valles Caldera National Preserve in 2004, at which time we stopped by the side of the road, looked in, and moved on. A decade later, we drove to the main staging center on a lark and wound up taking a small hike. This time through, we planned to spend a day taking a couple of hikes. We wound up driving through the backcountry.

The landscape of VCNP is high-plateau grassland and mountains. It does not have the spectacular geological formations of so many New Mexico sites, but it does have a series of hiking trails through rolling (and sometimes more mountainous) terrain, and a resident elk herd--though my wife and I have yet to spot them. It also has some excellent fishing, to judge from the anglers we passed, though we are not fisher-folk ourselves.

A few hikes are free--we went on the Coyote Call trail, which features lovely panoramic views of the meadows through the trees, and hoards of wildflowers, courtesy of 2015's gift of rains. Entry to the backcountry costs $20 (good for seven days), though Eagle Passes allow free entry. At the moment, the Park allows only 24 permits/day. We drove the length of the (unpaved) internal road system in a Camry, though a four-wheel vehicle would be preferable. Numerous trails come off the road.

VCNP is probably best suited for hard-core backpackers and fishing enthusiasts, but it is well worth a look for the casual hiker and lover of wilderness. And Longmire's house (now in its fourth season from the Craig Johnson-inspired series of books) is on the grounds.

Touring in the caldera takes planning but limited small bus drives can be available. It's a interesting place and easy to visit superficially just to have a look.

We went here mostly because we knew this was where scenes from Longmire were filmed. The road into the Preserve up to the Visitor Center is under repair for the next couple weeks. The ranger was very helpful with info about the preserve and hiking opportunities, etc. I drive a Hyundai Sonata and was worried about taking my car on the gravel bumpy roads, but it made it fine. There are some sections that are not in the best shape for smaller cars, but if you go slow, and watch for the potholes, you should be fine. We drove the 12 miles into the preserve, then you can turn left or right for another few miles, but we chose to turn around here. We arrived here at about 9:45 and made it back to the visitor center about 12:30. We didn't take any hikes, and only got out of the car briefly at the cabins to take pictures and walk around. It really is slow going. There are some picnic tables back at the visitor center for lunch. They only allow a certain number of cars in a day, so it's best to get there early. The scenery is amazing and so peaceful. I'm sure this is going to be a much more popular park in the future.

Did some hiking here during the elk rut. took a shuttle to the trail head (preserve entry and shuttle were $10). The shuttle runs regularly and they picked me back up when I was finished. The preserve is absolutely gorgeous. I felt like I had the place to myself. The elk were beautiful and I have never heard so many bugling at one time. Trails are well marked and appear to have restrooms at the trailheads. Small, but well stocked gift shop with shirts, maps, coffee/hot chocolate and a few snacks. It is one of my favorite places for hiking in New Mexico.

It was great to visit such a beautiful and unexpected natural wonder. The staff were so friendly and accommodating. I learned about the geographical history of the location as well as the previous land usage. For a science geek like me, it was heaven. I think I may also be a history nerd. It is totally worth the trip from Santa Fe.

Valles Caldera deserves to be way-better-known.
After heading up the intriguing Jemez Mountain Trail, a lesser-traveled back road from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, we came to Valles Caldera and were instantly enchanted by its expansive majesty.
This one-time cattle ranch, nearly 90,000 acres, is being restored to its natural beauty with minimal intrusion by humans. A volcano collapsed here, leaving a pristine valley surrounded by mountains. Herds of elk are its main inhabitants these days, readily glimpsed from telescopes at the preserve's entrance center.
It's not surprising that several Western have been filmed here, since this range site seems quintessentially West.
There are a few hiking trails for exploring here, some old cabins from the ranch days, but even just the drive into Valles Caldera over gravel roads is jaw-dropping.
Prepare to be amazed....

The meadow where the visitor cabin is located sits in a 13 mile wide caldera

What an eruption that must have been

We rarely have any luck with viewing wildlife- tho we saw a chipmunk and some bluebirds.

The herds of elk continue to elude us

Enjoyed this site tremendously. The history of the area is fascinating and the area is extremely beautiful. Also, was excited to see a large herd of elk.

We had a great morning hiking around this area. It was a bit of a drive from our hotel in Santa Fe but well worth it!

Very cool landscape. I was excited just like a kid when we pulled in and saw all the little prairie digs popping out all around us.

I was little worried that we wouldn't be able to get in because our concierge told us that they only a small number in per day but turns out that is to go further back into the park. We went on a Thursday and though we arrived late morning there were still plenty of passes to be had. We actually didn't end up purchasing one because we just didn't have enough time. We took a hike that was recommended to us by the park ranger. It was close to the ranger station so we didn't have to move our car. The hike took us about half an hour and we got some nice views. Definitely would like to come back, get one of the passes and spend more time here!

Beautiful place to visit. You can see lots of wildlife. The elk are amazing. We took a short tour. Next time will take a longer tour.

We zipped pass on our way to Bandelier National Monument. Turned around and went back. We couldn't drive through the whole place because of fire restrictions. At the visitor center they offered to take us further out in a van but we were on a tight schedule. We had our binoculars so we could see the elk and baby elk. Lots of prairie dogs right by the parking lot. The geology of the area is interesting. This is a huge volcano caldera. Ok dirt road into the visitor center.

We stopped here hoping to see herds of elk. Instead we saw the most beautiful grassland, trees, and rock formations. The quality of silence in this place is mystical. To sit on the earth here is a healing experience.

Just a little bit of Heaven sitting in northern New Mexico. Just go and sit and watch and listen. One of the most peaceful places I have ever visited. I've been three times and will return many more I hope.

Went there on a whim after visiting Los Alamos. It is beautiful and worth the drive. A nice hiking area with wildlife and great picture options.