Your visit can be more enjoyable when you better understand the environment around you. Valles Caldera National Preserve offers guided hikes and ranger talks.
2022 Summer Programs
Caldera Chat
Learn about a facet of what makes Valles Caldera so special.
- 10 am and 2 pm, Sunday through Friday
- 15 minutes
- At the picnic area in front of the Ranger Station
History Hike with a Ranger
Explore the natural and cultural history of Valles Caldera with a ranger.
- 11 am and 3 pm, Sunday through Friday
- 1 hour
- At the picnic area in front of the Ranger Station
Full-moon Walk in the Caldera
Experience Valles Caldera at night on this guided hike. Registration required
- Limited to 25 people
- 18:30 pm on 6/11, 7/9, 8/13; 7:30 pm on 9/10, and 7 pm on 10/8
- Weather-dependent
- 2 hours (must stay the entire time)
- Meet at the Entrance Gate 15 minutes before the program.
Number of participant openings for the full-moon walk.
| Date of Full-moon Walk |
Total Openings |
Current Openings |
June 11 |
25 |
0 |
| July 9 |
25 |
25 |
| August 13 |
25 |
25 |
| September 10 |
25 |
25 |
| October 8 |
25 |
25 |
Star-gazing in the Caldera
Gaze up at magnificent night sky and learn about the universe. Registration required
- Limited to 25 people
- 8:30 pm on 5/28, 6/25, 7/23; 8 pm on 8/27; 7:30 pm on 9/24; 6:30 pm on 10/22
- Weather-dependent
- 1.5 hours (must stay the entire time)
- Meet at the Entrance Gate 15 minutes before the program.
Number of participant openings for star-gazing.
| Date of Star-gazing |
Total Openings |
Current Openings |
| June 25 |
25 |
0 (waitlist forming) |
| July 23 |
25 |
25 |
| August 27 |
25 |
25 |
| September 24 |
25 |
25 |
| October 22 |
25 |
25 |
Registering for Full-moon Walk or Star-gazing
To participate in one of the night sky programs offered on Saturdays, please do the following:
- No more than one week before a program, email us to reserve a spot and provide these details:
- Name
- Phone number (text-capable # preferred)
- Number of people in your party
- Program and date you wish to reserve
- A ranger will respond to let you know that your reservation has been accepted, or if the program is full.
Reservations will be taken up to the Friday before the event. Rangers will text or call if the program is cancelled. Please be sure to arrive at the main entrance gate at least 15 minutes before the program.
Valles Caldera Event Calendar