Fees & Passes

Overview of entrance requirements

Free

No entrance pass required

Entrance Passes

An entrance pass is not required to access Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Other National Park Service sites may require an entrance pass or fee. Depending on your trip plans, an interagency pass may save you money.

Valles Caldera National Preserve does not currently charge a park entrance fee.

 

 

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 Park Pass

• 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)

 

Backcountry Vehicle Passes

For those wanting to drive into the backcountry between May 15 and November 15, vehicle passes are available on Recreation.gov. You can reserve your pass starting three months out. Visit the Backcountry Experience page for additional details.

 

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 through the following summer (September-August). 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 2023, entrance fees at all national parks will be waived on:

• January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 22: First day of National Park Week
• August 4: Great American Outdoors Day
• September 23: National Public Lands Day
• 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 Entrance Station.

 

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.