Fees & Passes

Entrance Fee Waived

Valles Caldera National Preserve is a fee park; however, at this time the entrance fee is being waived.  While the entrance fee is being waived, Valles Caldera will not be able to sell or issue passes.

The information below reflects what fees will be when Valles Caldera resumes collection.  Passes can be obtained at Bandelier National Monument or through other federal recreation sites with passes available.

 

Seven-day pass if entering via

• Non-commercial car, van, pickup truck, motorcycle or RV: $25 per vehicle (no per-person fee)
• Foot, bicycle, horse, or non-commercial bus: $15 per person aged 16 and older (academic fee waivers may be available for curriculum-based educational trips)

 

Commercial Tour Fees

• Commercial sedan (up to six seats): $25 (plus $10 per person)
• Commercial van (7-15 seats, regardless of occupancy): $40 (no per person fee)
• Commercial mini bus (16-25 seats, regardless of occupancy): $100 (no per person fee)

Additionally, a commercial use authorization is required for all commercial tours.

Exceptions:

• Anyone 15 years or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee.
• Passes may be used for entry as defined on the back of the pass.

 

Accepted Passes

• Valles Caldera Pass: $45 Annual pass providing entrance to Valles Caldera for 12 months from the date of purchase
• America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass: $80 Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for national parks and other federal fee areas. This replaces the National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Pass.
• Annual Pass for US Military: Free Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for all active military personnel and their dependents. (For active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification - CAC Card or DD Form 1173.) Note: Beginning on Veterans Day, November 11, 2020 U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families will have free access to National Parks and other agency lands. If you are a veteran, please present one of the following forms of identification where entrance fees are collected:

• Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card)

• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

• Veteran ID Card

• Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card
  
  For more information about this program and to get your Gold Star Family voucher, please visit Free Entrance to National Parks for Veterans and Gold Star Families (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

• Access Pass: Free Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
• Senior Pass: $80 Lifetime or $20 Annual admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or older.
• Annual 4th Grade Pass: Free (valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year though the following summer (September-August). Note: 5th graders during the 2020-2021 are also elligible for free entrance. Learn more and download your voucher here.
• Volunteer Pass: Free for volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program. If you are a current volunteer, please contact your volunteer supervisor for hours verification and to request a pass.

 

Fee Free Entrance Days

In 2021, entrance fees at all national parks will be waived on:

• Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 17 – First Day of National Park Week
• Wednesday, August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act anniversary
• Wednesday, August 25 – National Park Service Birthday
• Saturday, September 25 – National Public Lands Day
• Thursday, November 11 – Veterans Day

On fee free days, all national parks waive entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees.

If your visit during a fee-free day extends beyond the free day(s) and you re-enter the preserve after the fee-free day, you will be required to pay the regular entrance fee.

 

Payment Methods and Locations

Payment via credit card is preferred, but cash is accepted. You may pay entrance fees at the Valle Grande Contact Station.