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A plein air artist paints a picture of the Bond Cabin during Art in the Park Day 2024.
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 or special event during your visit! Valles Caldera National Preserve offers engaging programs all year-round. Check out upcoming offerings in the listings below!
Special Events
Caldera Reverie: Artistic Visions from a Volcanic Landscape
Dates: April 26 - July 27, 2025 Time: Varies based on facility renovation schedule Location: Volcano Discovery Center
Featuring works by local, regional, and international artists, Caldera Reverie: Artistic Visions from a Volcanic Landscape is a celebration of Valles Caldera's 25th anniversary as public land. Stop into the Volcano Discovery Center to view this art exhibit inspired by a beloved Jemez Mountains landscape.
During the months of May and June, please call the park before driving up to view the exhibit, as the Volcano Discovery Center will be undergoing renovations. Public access to the facility will be available intermittently during that time.
Valles Caldera's 25th Anniversary Celebration
Dates: July 25-27, 2025 Times: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm Location: Throughout park
Celebrate Valles Caldera's 25th anniversary as public land with this three-day special event featuring guest speakers, cultural demonstrators, ranger-guided programs, night sky viewing, and more. The daily schedule will generally follow this format:
7:00 am
Sunrise Ranger Program
9:00 am
Ranger Program
11:00 am
Guest Speaker
1:00 pm
Cultural Demonstration
3:00 pm
Guest Speaker
4:00 pm
Ranger Program
5:00 pm
Art Activity
7:30 pm
Night Sky Program
8:00 pm
Astrophotography Workshop
Daytime Programs
Daily Ranger Program
Dates: Every Thursday-Saturday, Memorial Day to Labor Day Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Location: Begins at either the Volcano Discovery Center or Welcome Station
Dealer's choice! Depending on which ranger you get, this program may cover Valles Caldera's geology, wildlife, cultural history, fire ecology, or creative arts. Take a chance and join us to learn something new. Generally (although not guaranteed), Thursday programs will be geology hikes around Cerro La Jara. Friday programs will alternate between fire ecology and wildlife. Saturday programs will be history hikes through the Cabin District.
Family Flyfishing Clinics
Dates: June 7 & 28; July 12 & 26 Time: All day Location: Begins at the Volcano Discovery Center
Join Valles Caldera National Preserve and New Mexico Trout in learning all about flyfishing. In the morning, participants will discover what flyfishing is about, including reading the water, appropriate equipment, insect life, and fly-casting. After lunch, participants will head out to San Antonio Creek for a guided flyfishing experience and the chance to catch a beautiful wild brown trout. Thanks to a grant from the National Park Foundation, this event is free and all equipment will be provided. The Family Flyfishing Clinic is open to 15 participants of all ages. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration opens at 8:00 am, two weeks ahead of time.
Dates: June 21; July 19; August 1 & 22 Time: All day Location: Begins at the Volcano Discovery Center
Tenkara is an ancient Japanese form of flyfishing that is growing increasingly popular in the United States. Join Tenkara enthusiasts and experienced teachers in learning the art and technique of this exciting sport that is perfect for Valles Caldera's creeks. The morning will feature a classroom session with casting practice. In the afternoon, participants will enjoy a guided fishing experience on Valles Caldera's famous waters. Thanks to a grant from the National Park Foundation, this event is free and all equipment will be provided. The Tenkara Fishing Clinic is open to 15 participants of all ages. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration opens at 8:00 am, two weeks ahead of time.
Dates: June 14; future dates TBA Time: 9:45 am to 4:00 pm Location: Begins at the Volcano Discovery Center
Fly tying is an ancient art that combines elements of science, creativity, and art. Participants will learn the basics of fly tying with a focus on easy-to-tie patterns that can be used for fishing in Valles Caldera. Afterward, participants will have the opportunity to use their flies while fishing Valles Caldera's famous trout streams. This program is geared towards absolute beginners through intermediate fly-tyers and anglers. All people ages 10-and-up are welcome.
Pre-registration is required. Thanks to a grant from the National Park Foundation, this event is free, and all equipment will be provided. A valid New Mexico fishing license with the HMAV stamp is required for the fishing portion.
Registration opens at 8:00 am, two weeks ahead of time.
Dates: Every other Sunday beginning June 1st (except June 29) Time: 2:00-3:00 pm Location: Volcano Discovery Center
Can you smell food better than a bear? Would you beat a jumping mouse at a jumping contest? Are you a master of camouflage like a weasel? Come join a ranger at Valles Caldera in testing your skills against those of some of Valles Caldera's most amazingly talented animals!
Early Bird Birding Tour
Dates: Every 2nd and 4th weekend Time: 8:30-9:30 am Location: Begins at the Volcano Discovery Center
Join a ranger and go on a self-propelled birding adventure in Valles Caldera. This program is open to all skill levels. Participants should arrive at the Volcano Discovery Center at 8:30 am. Please come prepared for the designated activity (hiking on 2nd weekend, biking/e-biking on 4th weekend). Binoculars are available to rent if you do not own a pair. Trail difficulty will range from easy to moderate. Expect to be out on the trail for 1 hour. Please bring a small snack, water, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are weather-appropriate.
Wildlife Photography
Dates: Every 1st Sunday and 3rd Wednesday Times: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm Location: Begins at the Volcano Discovery Center
Learn the basics of wildlife photography and compositional recommendations all while exploring Valles Caldera and the Jemez Mountains region. You will need to provide your own camera for this program (Mirrorless, DSLR, SLR, or mobile). The program duration is 2-3.5 hours depending on the trail or area visited, with possible hiking distances of 1-5 miles total.
Complimentary backcountry passes available to the first 10 vehicles that arrive for this program.
Instant Film Photography Program
Dates: Every 3rd Sunday Times: 10:00 am to 11:00 am Location: Begins at the Volcano Discovery Center
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 Mountain Time exactly two weeks in advance.
Evening programs are offered year-round in conjunction with the full moon, new moon, and special celestial events.
Astrophotography Workshops
Dates: June 6, August 22
With Valles Caldera National Preserve (an International Dark Sky Park) as an outdoor classroom, park volunteers 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. Spots are limited. Registration required.
Registration will open at 8:00 am Mountain Time exactly two weeks in advance.
Take in the majesty of the celestial sky and learn about the stars, constellations, and planetary bodies in this International Dark Sky Park. Spots are limited. Registration required.
Registration links will activate at 8:00 AM Mountain Time exactly two weeks in advance.
Date: Saturday, May 17 Time: 10:00-11:30 am Location: Volcano Discovery Center
Join artist-in-residence Mark Dyke for a 90-minute workshop to create your own miniature wildlife sculpture! First, Mark will demonstrate how to make a wire armature as a starting point for sculpture. From there, participants will be provided pre-made wire armatures to build onto using taxidermy clay and other materials. Participants will take home their creations!
Spots are limited; registration required. See Calendar for registration details.
Slow Looking: Art, Mindfulness, and the Landscape of Valles Caldera
Date: Sunday, June 29 Time: 10:00-11:00 am Location: Volcano Discovery Center
Join Artist in Residence Cruz Davis-Martinez for an interactive workshop exploring the practice of slow looking—a mindfulness-based approach to engaging with art and nature. Participants will be guided through a structured observation of the Valles Caldera landscape and then respond creatively through sketching, writing, or painting. This exercise will be followed by a discussion on how mindful observation can deepen our connection to place, memory, and creativity.
Nature's Notebook: Observing and Creating in Valles Caldera
Date: Sunday, July 13 Time: 10:00-11:00 am Location: Volcano Discovery Center
Join Artist in Residence Alina Lindquist for an interactive public program focused on nature journaling as a means of deepening one's connection with the landscape of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Combining art, writing, and scientific observation, this workshop will guide attendees through the process of recording their experiences in nature in a meaningful and creative way.
Spots are limited; registration required. See Calendar for registration details.
Cloud Painting with Watercolors
Date: Saturday, August 23 Time: 2:00-3:00 pm Location: Volcano Discovery Center
At Valles Caldera, the sky is an integral part of the landscape, whether by day or by night. Join Artist in Residence Patsy Welch to learn how to paint the clouds above Valles Caldera using watercolors. Cloud painting is a fun and low-stress activity that anybody can do. This one-hour program is geared toward children and families.
Spots are limited; registration required. See Calendar for registration details.
Tooled Leather Printmaking Demonstration
Date: September 13 & 19 Time: 1:00-4:00 pm Location: Volcano Discovery Center
Join Artist in Residence Jim Weaver for a tooled leather printmaking demonstration at the Volcano Discovery Center on either Saturday, September 13, or Friday, September 19, anytime from 1:00 to 4:00 pm! This is a drop-in style event.
Leather tooling is a folk art whose history can be traced from Spain through Mexico and into the Southwestern United States and beyond. During this demonstration, Jim will show the process of tooling leather and the subsequent printing on a small portable press while interspersing background information on the history of leatherwork and printmaking.
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.
