Valles Caldera
4.9(134)google
4.6(28)yelp
HikingScenic LookoutVolcanoWildlife Watching
Overview
The Valles Caldera (or Jemez Caldera) is a 13.7-mile-wide (22.0 km) volcanic caldera in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. Hot springs, streams, fumaroles, natural gas seeps, and volcanic domes dot the caldera landscape. The highest point in the caldera is Redondo Peak, an 11,254-foot (3,430 m) resurgent lava dome located entirely within the caldera and surrounded by moat-like flows of rhyolitic solidified lavas.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-6 hours
Best TimeThis magnificent 89,000-acre volcanic caldera reserve peaks spectacularly from mid-September to October during the elk bugling season. The absolute premier window is sunrise between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM; the low morning sun pierces the high valley walls, lighting up the misty golden grass meadows while herds of wild elk graze in unhurried silence.
Getting ThereSituated high in the Jemez Mountains along Scenic State Highway 4. Driving is completely mandatory: follow the winding NM-4 highway from either Los Alamos or Jemez Springs to the main federal park entrance gate. Pass the permit stations to drive 2 miles down the graded dirt road to the primary Valle Grande Visitor Center free open parking lot.
Travel Tips
- Driving private vehicles into the deep caldera backcountry requires a limited permit; secure these slots exactly 14 days out via Recreation.gov.
- Thousands of elk roam the valley; bulls during the autumn rut are highly aggressive, and staying at least 25 yards away is legally mandated.
- Sitting above 8,500 feet, afternoon supercell thunderstorms drop heavy hail across the plain; retreat to hardtop vehicles if skies turn dark.
Reviews
Positive
- A massive collapsed caldera basin created by a super-volcano eruption; the endless sweeping green meadows of Valle Grande are breathtakingly beautiful.
- An elite wildlife haven where you can easily spot hundreds of massive Rocky Mountain elk roaming and running across wide meadows in a pure ecosystem.
- The trail grid is wonderfully laid out, serving as an elite winter cross-country ski spot and a summer biking/wildflower haven with endless interactive fun.
- As a National Preserve, fees are low and standard US Park Passes are gladly accepted, fully retaining an uncommercialized pure wilderness.
Heads up
- The visitor center consists of crude, rustic modular cabins with cramped interiors, lacking an advanced multimedia learning theater and needing upgrades.
- Most interior driving tracks are unpaved dirt and gravel with nasty potholes; rain or snow makes them dangerously muddy, strongly advising a 4WD.
- Due to its vast, open nature, the basin floor features zero tree shade; summer solar exposure is fierce, and vault toilets are non-existent deep in the park.
- To shield fragile wildlife, rangers cap daily vehicle permits allowed onto the backcountry dirt loop; if you don't line up early, you're locked out.