Ranger-led Activities

 

A ranger speaks to a group during a guided hike in Valle Grande.

NPS/Corey Lycopolus

 

 

Want to learn more about Valles Caldera's geology, history, wildlife, and more? We invite you to participate in a ranger program during your visit! Valles Caldera National Preserve offers engaging programs all year-round. Check out current and upcoming offerings in the listings below! We expect to add several more programs to this list for the 2024 season.

Guided Tours

Early Bird Bird Tour

Dates: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday beginning September 8, 2024
Time: 8:00 am to 10:30 am
Location: Meet at the main park entrance (NM-4)

Join a ranger and go on a self-propelled birding adventure in Valles Caldera! This program is open to all skill levels. Please come prepared for the designated activity on your program date (hiking, biking, skiing/snowshoeing). Designated activities for each date are outlined below.

Binoculars are available to rent if you do not own a pair. Please arrive at the main gate on NM-4 at 8:00 am, and from there, participants will caravan to the starting location. Trail difficulty will range from easy to moderate. Expect to be out on the trail for 1-2 hours. Please bring a small snack, water, and wear comfortable clothes that are weather-appropriate and shoes to hike short distances (1-3 miles) or bike up to 10 miles.

Designated activities by date:
2nd Sunday (May-October): Hike
4th Sunday (May-October): Bike/e-bike
2nd & 4th Sundays (November to April): Snowshoeing or XC skiing

Instant Film Photography Program

Dates: September 1, October 20
Times: 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Location: Begins at the Ranger Station

Learn the basics of photography and compositional recommendations using an instant film camera, all while exploring Valles Caldera. A camera and film will be provided, but exposures will be limited to 2 per person. If you want to take more than two photos, you can purchase your own film to use (Polaroid i-Type, color or black & white) and can bring your own instant film camera as well. The program is approximately 1 hour in duration.

Spots are limited. Registration required. Registration will open at 8:00 am MDT exactly two weeks in advance.

• Register for October 20

Dendroglyph Hikes

Dates: September 14, October 5, October 12
Time: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Meet at the Entrance Station

Dendroglyphs are old carvings on aspen trees. They are a critical part of the cultural and artistic landscape of Valles Caldera National Preserve, serving both as a window into a past world and valuable pieces of art in of themselves. During these programs, participants will have a chance to view and learn about rare dendroglyphs as well as discover ways park volunteers have documented them.

Spots are limited. Registration required. Registration will open at 8:00 am MDT exactly two weeks in advance.

• Register for October 5
• Register for October 12

Art in the Park

Discover your creative side during an Art in the Park workshop led by Valles Caldera's artists in residence!

Astrophotography Workshops

Dates: May 24 (full moon), June 7 (new moon), July 19 (full moon), August 30 (new moon), September 27 (new moon)

With Valles Caldera National Preserve (an International Dark Sky Park) as an outdoor classroom, photographers Stan Ford and Richard Gonzales will guide program participants through the basics of astrophotography. Learn how to adjust and optimize DSLR camera settings, select a shooting location, and, of course, shoot spectacular images of the night sky. Registration required.

Registration links will activate at 8:00 AM MDT exactly two weeks in advance.

• Register for September 27

Storytelling Through Objects - creating a communal archive of meaning

Date: Sunday, September 15
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station

During Storytelling Through Objects – creating a communal archive of meaning, artist-in-residence Melissa Fu will invite participants to bring an object from home that symbolizes what Valles Caldera or the Jemez Mountains mean to them. Possible objects could be photos, keepsakes, art, etc. In small groups, we’ll introduce the objects and tell our stories behind them. Through reflection and discussion, we’ll build a shared understanding of our personal histories around the Valles Caldera area. At the end, we’ll create visual mosaics of the objects that can serve as sources of inspiration for continued conversations. Click here for more info.

Right Here, Right Now - using our immediate surroundings and senses to create shared prose poetry

Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station

During Right Here, Right Now – using our immediate surroundings and senses to create shared prose poetry, artist-in-residence Melissa Fu will invite participants to engage with Valles Caldera by slowing down and spending time with what is right here, right now. Through journaling, sketching, or other art-making, participants will record their thoughts and observations. Then, everybody will come together in small groups to share our noticings and wonderings. As a culmination, we’ll create a series of communal prose poems, celebrating the voices and findings of the day. Click here for more info.

Plein Air Hike

Date: Saturday, October 12
Time: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Entrance Station

Join artist-in-residence Izzy Anderson for a sunset hike and plein air paint-out on the Cerro La Jara Loop on Saturday, October 12, in conjunction with Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta. Participants should bring their own plein air painting supplies. Total trail distance is 1.4 miles, and elevation change is negligible. Registration required. Click here for more info.

My Traveling Songbook

Date: Saturday, October 19
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station

Join artist-in-residence Izzy Anderson for a musical performance of "My Traveling Songbook: 10 outdoor-inspired songs for intermediate beginners with accompanying artwork." During this performance, Izzy Anderson will share stories, paintings, and songs from her outdoor adventures, including an original song inspired by her residency at Valles Caldera. She will also guide participants through creating art of their own. Registration required. Click here for more info.

Adobe Lightroom Photo Editing Workshop

Date: Sunday, October 20
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Ranger Station

Join photographers Stan Ford and Richard Gonzales in a live demonstration of some of the basics of digital editing of night sky, wildlife, and other photo subjects in Adobe Lightroom. Following this, a breakout session will be held so you can practice your newly learned skills on your own photos! Participants should bring their own laptop or tablet with Adobe Lightroom software pre-loaded.

Registration links will activate at 8:00 AM MDT exactly two weeks in advance.

• Register for October 20

 

Night Sky Programs

Night sky programs are offered from May to October in conjunction with the full moon and new moon.

Moonlit La Jara Walk

Dates: June 21 (cancelled due to inclement weather), August 16, September 20

Experience the dark side of Valles Caldera and join a ranger for a hike around Cerro la Jara to discover the nocturnal wonders of the park. Registration required. Meet at the park's main entrance 15-30 minutes before the start of the program. Bring water, snacks, and a red light. Wear sturdy shoes and warm clothing. Two hours and about 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Program will be cancelled if inclement weather is forecast.

Registration links will activate at 8:00 AM MDT exactly two weeks in advance.

• Register for September 20

 

National Public Lands Day 2022 participants removed sandbags that protected the Cabin District from flash flooding and landslides following the Thompson Ridge Fire.

NPS

National Public Lands Day

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Each September, come support the park and spend a day volunteering and exploring beautiful Valles Caldera. We offer different ways to celebrate the connection between people and green space in their community, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of open spaces for education, recreation, and health benefits.

Volunteer Projects

Give a morning of your time to help improve the experience at Valles Caldera. For 2024, we have the following volunteer opportunities:

• Bumper log construction
• Litter pickup along NM-4
• Picnic table construction
• Plant biomass collection

Details

• Project meeting time and location: 9:00 am at the park's Entrance Station
• Duration: 4 hours

Looking for more ways to get involved at Valles Caldera? Check out Volunteer - Valles Caldera National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

Yoga in the Park

A ranger-led gentle yoga class outdoors overlooking the majestic Valle Grande gives visitors a chance to experience the healing benefits of public lands. Meet at the Ranger Station at 1:00 pm. Please bring your own yoga mat and dress appropriately for an outdoor session.

 

Nat'l Public Lands Day

Celebrate National Public Lands Day by joining us September 28, 2024 for some exciting volunteer activities.

Sign Up Today

 

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Nearby Programs

Want to experience more National Park Service interpretive programs during your visit to the Jemez Mountains? Join ranger at neighboring Bandelier National Monument or Manhattan Project National Historical Park, both approximately 30 minutes east of Valles Caldera.

• Bandelier National Monument
• Manhattan Project National Historical Park

 

 

School Programs

Teachers, how would you like to have a huge herd of elk, blooming wildflowers, historic and cultural artifacts, and a world-renowned caldera as your classroom?

Email us today to arrange a ranger-led field trip.