Trip Idea

Half Day at Valles Caldera

Multiple Parks

A woman kneels in front of a historic log cabin with two leashed dogs.
Duration Half Day
Topic(s) Fish, Ranches, Foothills, Plains and Valleys, Forests and Woodlands, Coniferous Forests, Geology, Grasslands, Meadows, Prairies, Groundwater, Aquifers, Freshwater Springs, Mountains, Natural Sounds, River and Riparian, Rock Landscapes and Features, Scenic Views, Volcanoes, Watersheds, Headwaters, Wetlands, Ancient Seas, Animals, Birds, Elk, Archeology, Climate Change, Fire, Native American Heritage, Trails, Canyons and Canyonlands, Marshes, Cats (wild), Deciduous Forests, Night Sky, Astronomy, Dams, Farming and Agriculture, Mineral Deposits, Geothermal, Hot Springs, Mining, Logging and Timber Cutting, Roads, Routes and Highways, Schools and Education more »
Activities Fly Fishing, Front-Country Hiking, Scenic Driving, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching
Type Kid Friendly, Relaxed, Solitary/Remote, Educational, Inspirational
Parks Valles Caldera National Preserve
Don't have all day? That's okay. We know there's a lot to see nearby. Here's a no-nonsense itinerary for your half-day (or less) visit to Valles Caldera.
Scenic Driving
  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Take a Scenic Drive through Valle Grande
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Scenic Driving
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Main Entrance
    • Duration: 30–90 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A sweeping montane grassland with forested hills in the background.

    The Valles Caldera Entrance Road is a scenic, four-mile-long gravel road through the heart of Valle Grande. This drive offers outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities, volcanic vistas, and several places to get out and explore on foot.

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Pick Two Trails
  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Hike the Jemez River Trail
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Jemez River Trailhead
    • Duration: 2–3 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A snow-covered landscape with a small stream meandering through rock spires and evergreen trees.

    This 3.4-mile (5.5 km) out-and-back trail features breathtaking views along the East Fork Jemez River as it flows toward the southwestern corner of the park.

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  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Hike to Sulphur Springs
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Sulphur Creek Trailhead
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A hilly, geothermal landscape of bleached rock and soil largely devoid of vegetation.

    A 0.3-mile (0.5 km) walk along the Sulphur Creek Trail leads hikers to Sulphur Springs, a site bubbling with geothermal features like acidic hot and cold springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. This area was once used for sulfur mining, geothermal energy exploration, and a hot springs health resort/spa.  For details about the geothermal features you'll encounter, check out the self-guided Sulphur Springs Geology Tour in the National Park Service smartphone app!

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  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Hike the Cerro La Jara Loop
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Cerro La Jara Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Two leashed dogs walk side-by-side in front of us on a narrow trail in a large grassland valley

    This 1.5-mile (2.4 km) hiking loop circles Cerro La Jara, the smallest volcanic dome in the park, which formed about 500,000 years ago when lava oozed up and onto the caldera floor.

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  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Hike the Valle Grande Exploration Trail
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Valle Grande Exploration Trailhead
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A large pond in the middle of a montane grassland with forested mountains in the background.

    A 0.8-mile (1.3 km) out-and-back hike into the heart of Valle Grande and a pond on La Jara Creek.

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  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Hike the Rabbit Mountain and Rabbit Ridge Trails
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Rabbit Mountain Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Looking past a grove of aspen trees into a wide valley below

    Both the Rabbit Mountain Loop (2.9 miles/4.7 km round-trip) and Rabbit Ridge Trail (additional 2.4 miles/3.8 km out-and-back) traverse along the southern rim of the caldera, offering great views of Valle Grande and Redondo Peak.

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  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Hike the South Valle Grande Trail
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: South Valle Grande Trailhead
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A large boulder in a vast, grassy valley surrounded by forested hills.

    This pet-friendly, 2-mile (3.2 km) out-and-back trail quickly drops down the southeastern rim of the caldera to reach the edge of Valle Grande, offering sweeping views and excellent opportunities for elk viewing, especially early in the morning or late afternoon/early evening.

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Fun Additions
  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Wildlife Viewing in the Caldera
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Wildlife Watching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    A male mule deer with large antlers looking through a thick forest.

    Valles Caldera provides excellent habitat for a wide variety of animals, and there are plenty of opportunities for viewing wildlife like elk, bears, prairie dogs, coyotes, and birds.

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  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Valles Caldera Junior Ranger Program
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Junior Ranger Program
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Entrance Station
    • Duration: 30–90 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A boy wearing a Junior Ranger hat and vest filled with badges stands at Valles Caldera\'s sign.

    Valles Caldera National Preserve currently offers two versions of its Junior Ranger program: an experiential activity booklet designed for in-park completion, and an online program for kids who are unable to visit the park in-person.

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  • Valles Caldera National Preserve

    Fish the East Fork Jemez River
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Fly Fishing
    • Pets: No
    • Location: East Fork Jemez River
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    An angler fishes a narrow stream in a foggy montane grassland.

    Easy access to Valles Caldera's premier front-country stream, the East Fork Jemez River, allows anglers to enjoy fishing longer hours and longer seasons in the park.

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Last updated: February 14, 2025