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Valle Grande from the Cabin District

A view into Valle Grande from the Volcano Discovery Center

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Weather

See current weather data from climate stations throughout the park: Valles Caldera National Preserve Climate Stations (dri.edu).

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Lat: 35.86496964638442 Long: -106.51905335895134

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Map of the closure area.

NPS/Monte White

Fire

The National Park Service is set to begin winter pile burning operations within the San Antonio Mountain project area of Valles Caldera National Preserve beginning on or shortly after December 2, 2025. If conditions are not favorable to begin burning in San Antonio, the team will switch to burning piles on either South Mountain or Cerro Piñon. The area around the burn activities will be closed to public access until operations are completed.

Burning activities will continue throughout the winter months as weather and fuel conditions allow, and ignitions will occur only when adequate snow cover or moisture is present to ensure safe and effective operations.

These prescribed pile burns are designed to reduce hazardous fuels, promote forest health, and decrease the risk of high-severity wildfires in the future. The piles consist primarily of woody debris generated from previous forest thinning and fuels reduction projects.

During active burning, smoke may be visible from State Route 4, nearby communities, and other areas within and surrounding the park. Fire managers will monitor weather conditions closely and implement strategies to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities and roadways.

Public and firefighter safety remain the highest priority during all prescribed fire activities.

The National Park Service manages prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state regulations on air quality and smoke management. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

 

Road Conditions

During the winter season, road conditions in the Jemez Mountains can be treacherous. New Mexico State Route 4 can be snow-packed and icy for days or even weeks at a time, making it difficult to get to Valles Caldera National Preserve.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation offers an online resource that displays real-time road conditions and closures along state highways: NM Roads. Drivers are encouraged to consult this resource before driving to Valles Caldera in the winter months. Park-specific closures, delays, and alerts are posted on our park website and social media pages.

For drivers accessing Valles Caldera from the east (Santa Fe/Los Alamos), please exercise caution at "The Chute," which is the stretch of NM State Route 4 from the South Valle Grande Trailhead to the park's main entrance gate. This stretch of highway is notorious for blowing snow, ice sheets, and snowdrifts. For drivers accessing Valles Caldera from the west (Albuquerque/Jemez Springs), be especially careful from Dark Canyon to the park's main entrance gate.

 

Human Health

 

What to Know

COVID-19

The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In areas CDC identifies as HIGH COVID-19 community level, masks are required in NPS buildings regardless of vaccination status. In LOW and MEDIUM COVID-19 community level areas, masks are optional. Signs at park buildings share the current status.

When recreating, please follow state health orders and recreate responsibly by physical distancing, wearing a face covering when physical distance cannot be maintained, avoiding high risk activities, and staying home if you feel sick.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Hantavirus

This is a rare but serious disease that humans can contract through contact with infected rodents or their urine, saliva, blood, or droppings. Reduce exposure by staying out of structures not open to the public.

Learn more at the CDC's web page on hantavirus.

Plague

Fleas, which transmit bubonic plague, are present throughout the Gunnison's prairie dog colonies at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Reduce exposure by keeping your distance from prairie dogs.

Learn more at the CDC's web pages on plague.