Valles Caldera National Preserve


Ever wondered what the crater of a dormant supervolcano looks like 1.25 million years after it first blows? At Valles Caldera, the prehistoric explosion was so massive, some 95 cubic miles of pumice, ash and magma was sent into the atmosphere. Home to New Mexico's second largest elk herd, the 13.7-mile-wide caldera now consists of volcanic domes and vast meadows that contain miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails in summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails in winter.

There are no paved roads; a 4WD vehicle is recommended in snow and rain. In summer, 35 free daily permits are available for backcountry access for vehicles.

The temporary entrance station visitor center (8am to 6pm mid-May to October, to 5pm the rest of the year) is 2 miles from the entrance on Hwy 4. Once a parking lot is finished, the visitor center will be 4 miles from the highway.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

2. Art Center at Fuller Lodge

10.78 MILES

Built in 1928 to serve as the dining hall for the local boys' school, Fuller Lodge, alongside the historical museum, was purchased by the US government…

3. Los Alamos Historical Museum

10.78 MILES

Several historic sites along Bathtub Row comprise this engaging museum, which spotlights the most notable inhabitants of the mesa. Pay admission and pick…

4. Bradbury Science Museum

10.98 MILES

You can't actually visit the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where the first atomic bomb was conceived, but the Bradbury Science Museum has compelling…

5. Jemez Historic Site

12.28 MILES

The ruined stone pueblo at Jemez Historic Site dates back 500 years; it was originally known as Giusewa. The remains of the San José de los Jemez Mission…

6. Alcove House

12.5 MILES

Perched 450ft above the canyon floor, this lofty ceremonial cave is reached by climbing four ladders. At the top you'll find a reconstructed kiva. There's…

7. Bodhi Manda Zen Center

12.55 MILES

Generally not open to the public, this Buddhist monastery holds once-a-month weekend retreats ($100).

8. Bandelier National Monument

13.51 MILES

Bandelier's 1.2-mile Main Loop Trail in Frijoles Canyon offers an excellent introduction to the main ruins and history of the park. The trail first passes…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/new-mexico/los-alamos/attractions/valles-caldera-national-preserve/a/poi-sig/1349072/1006462",
      "position": "superzone"
    }