NPS/Corey Lycopolus Discover the wonders of winter at 9,000 feet at Valles Caldera Winter Fest! This event takes place Saturday, February 21, 2026, in the Cabin District. Bundle up and join us! Schedule of EventsA variety of ranger-guided programs and activities will take place in the Cabin District from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Join a park ranger on a hike through history! Travel 12,000 years back in time to discover the ingenuity of the people of the past and how Valles Caldera remains a place that inspires generation after generation. This will be a 2-mile hike on relatively flat ground. Please wear footwear suitable for gravel hiking, and bring ice cleats (if applicable), layers, gloves, head coverings, and water. If snow conditions permit, snowshoes are available for rent at the Volcano Discovery Center.
Join Ranger Jordan for a hike along La Jara Creek to learn about winter adaptations while you try your best to insulate your Jello creature from freezing in the cruel winter of Valles Caldera. On a cold winter day, there can be upwards of a 40 degree difference in temperature from NM-4 to the cold-sink of Valle Grande. We have seen temperatures as low as -35 degrees Fahrenheit, so animals have to decide... do they adapt, migrate, or hibernate? The hike will be about a mile in total and is geared towards families and children. It will be followed by delicious hot chocolate and s'mores by a campfire! Keep warm and dance to live music by New Mexican DJs at an outdoor silent disco! Having a silent disco instead of a traditional speaker setup minimizes sound pollution—which protects wildlife and the serene natural soundscapes of the park—and provides a more accessible avenue for individuals with hearing impairments to enjoy the music.
Four DJs will perform throughout the event. 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Mii Casa & Homie.Avacado 12:30 - 2:00 pm Sirplus & MydNyte Join Dr. Tom Swetnam for a presentation and book signing for "The Jemez Mountains: A Cultural and Natural History." A limited number of copies will be for sale in the Volcano Discovery Center.
Dr. Tom Swetnam has studied land use history, forest and fire ecology in the western U.S., Mexico, South America, and Siberia, Russia. Using dendrochronology, Tom and his colleagues have reconstructed hundreds of years of climate and fire history in Southwestern forests and giant sequoia groves of the Sierra Nevada. Tom’s work focuses on applications of science in the management of natural resources and in promoting effective science education and communication with land managers and the public. Tom currently resides in Jemez Springs, New Mexico, where he and his wife Suzanne enjoy a busy retirement life of gardening, community volunteering, and tree-ring dating of historic buildings, archaeological timbers, and fire scars. 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.
Join Rangers Jordan and Alex at the craft table to make a milk jug lamp and/or a stained glass animal window decoration to keep your indoor spaces cozy this winter.
Self-guided OpportunitiesIn addition to the ranger-led programs and activities throughout the day, visitors may participate in self-guided, self-paced Winter Fest activities. Come and experience an immersive simulation of the Valles Caldera eruption! Every hour on the half-hour, the Volcano Discovery Center "erupts" with a multisensory exhibit experience that showcases the past 1.2 million years of geologic history at Valles Caldera. Feel the rumble and quaking of the earth. Hear the explosive volcanic forces that created the 14-mile-wide caldera. Watch the lakes and lava domes appear. At the end of the show, bask in a newfound understanding of this unique landscape, and continue to learn and discover more by interacting with the immersive Valles Caldera exhibit. WARNING: This show includes loud explosion sound effects and flashing lights. For individuals with sensory sensitivities, we recommend visiting the Volcano Discovery Center after the show has concluded (at :35 past the hour). Ask a park ranger about how to experience a sensory-friendly version of the eruption show! This self-guided activity is a great opportunity to explore the diverse ecosystems and natural wonders of Valles Caldera while engaging in a fun and challenging adventure. Grab a scavenger hunt sheet, complete the challenge, and return your completed sheet to a park ranger for a special prize. Visitors are invited to explore Valles Caldera's expansive, snowy landscape at their own pace using snowshoes. Los Amigos de Valles Caldera will have equipment rentals available at the Volcano Discovery Center. Recommended self-guided routes include the Cerro La Jara Loop (1.4 miles round-trip) and the Cabin District to History Grove (1.6 miles round-trip). Download the National Park Service smartphone app to discover seven self-guided tour options for Valles Caldera:
Hike the short interpretive trail through the Cabin District to learn about the historic ranch, the buildings, and the people who cared for this land before the National Park Service.
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Last updated: January 20, 2026