Ranger-led Activities

 
An image of a historic log cabin overlooking a montane grassland. Text reads "10th anniversary in the National Park Service - Dec. 19, 2024."
Come and help us celebrate Valles Caldera's 10th anniversary in the National Park Service on Thursday, December 19! Click the image for more information.

NPS/Irene Owsley

 
 

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!

Special Events

Valles Caldera's 10th Birthday Party

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024
Time: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Ranger Station

Come celebrate Valles Caldera National Preserve's 10th anniversary in the National Park Service with a day-long birthday party! There will be party games, cake, birthday card writing, and ranger programs all day long.

Happy Bird-day Birding Tour (9:30-11:00 am)
Have you ever wondered how birds survive the winter? Go birding with Ranger Gianna and Ranger Corey and spot some common (and not-so-common) birds at Valles Caldera. Marvel at mountain chickadees, ponder pine siskins, and notice northern harriers. Learn about how these birds have adapted to survive cold winter at high elevations and enjoy the pleasures of cold-weather birding. Meet at the Ranger Station at 9:30 am and wear appropriate winter clothing and shoes. Binoculars will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Birthday Cards for Valles Caldera (11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Gather in the Ranger Station to make birthday cards for Valles Caldera National Preserve. Valles Caldera National Preserve has been a National Park Service site for 10 years! Reminisce about your favorite times and plan for fun times to come at Valles Caldera while you make a birthday card for us to display in the Ranger Station.

Birthday Cake (12:30-1:00 pm)
Sing “Happy Birthday” to your favorite National Preserve and eat some birthday cake to celebrate ten years as an NPS site!

An Environmental History of Valles Caldera (1:00-2:00 pm)
Learn about the long and complex history of Valles Caldera. Ranger Adam will cover the Ancestral Puebloan period to when Valles Caldera became public. He will discuss how ideas about nature changed over time and the effect of those ideas on the environment.

Party Games with Valles Caldera Park Rangers (2:00-4:00 pm)
Celebrate Valles Caldera by playing National Park Service-themed party games with the Caldera crew.
  • Pin the Hat on the Ranger
  • Two Truths and a Lie: Valles Caldera Edition
  • Ranger Says
  • The Floor is Lava
  • Valles Caldera Trivia

Winter Fest

Date: TBD
Time: All day
Location: Ranger Station

Join us for a day-long event filled with winter wonder and family fun at Valles Caldera's Ranger Station! This event will take place on a Saturday in February. More details to come.

Daytime Programs

Early Bird Bird Tour

Dates: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday (not offered in December 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

Wildlife Photography

Dates: Every 1st Sunday
Times: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Location: Begins at the Ranger Station

A hike with a focus on wildlife photography principles and techniques covering Valles Caldera National Preserve and the Jemez Mountains.

Learn the basics of wildlife photography and compositional recommendations all while exploring Valles Caldera and the Jemez Mountain Region. You will need to provide your own camera for this program (Mirrorless, DSLR, SLR, or mobile). The program duration is 2-5 hours depending on the trail or area visited, with distances of 1-5 miles hiked. 

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

Climate Science Ski Tour

Dates: January 17, February 7
Times: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Location: Begins at the Entrance Station

While skiing on groomed trails around the scenic La Jara peak, participants will learn about climate change in the Jemez Mountains. Visitors will learn about two possible scenarios for Valles Caldera’s future climate and the basics of climate science.

For this program, participants must bring their own skiing equipment. Classic cross-country skis are recommended. While skate skis are an option, this program will involve frequent stops. The route is approximately 1.4 miles long and flat. Participants are encouraged to bring water, snacks, and appropriate winter clothing.

No registration required. Just show up at the Entrance Station with your skis a few minutes before 10:00 am!

Wolves: Past, Present, and Future - Easy Ski Program

Date: March 7
Times: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Location: Begins at the Entrance Station

While skiing on groomed trails around the scenic La Jara peak, participants will learn about the history of wolves in Valles Caldera, the role of wolves in the ecosystem, and the current state of Mexican Gray Wolf recovery program.

For this program, participants must bring their own skiing equipment. Classic cross-country skis are recommended. While skate skis are an option, this program will involve frequent stops. The route is approximately 1.4 miles long and flat. Participants are encouraged to bring water, snacks, and appropriate winter clothing.

No registration required. Just show up at the Entrance Station with your skis a few minutes before 10:00 am!

Instant Film Photography Program

Dates: Every 3rd Sunday
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 MST exactly two weeks in advance.

Winter Soundscapes Ski Tour

Dates: January 10, January 31, February 14
Times: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Begins at the Entrance Station

Join a park ranger for a guided winter tour of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Listen to the sounds of Valles Caldera in the winter and learn about why experiencing nature's soundscape reveals much about the ecosystem. Participants will awaken their senses to the sounds of nature and learn about the forest ecology of Valles Caldera.

For this program, guests must bring their own skiing equipment. Rugged cross-country skis or light telemark and alpine touring setups are recommended with fish scale patterns or skins. Split boards are also fine. Participants are encouraged to bring water, snacks, and appropriate winter clothing. Depending on snow conditions and guest wishes, the tour will leave from the Valles Caldera Entrance Station and head out to History Grove, returning via South Mountain for a 4-5 mile loop. This is a strenuous route at altitude that requires proper hydration, nutrition, and physical conditioning. For a less physically demanding experience, please sign up for one of the programs around La Jara.

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

Wolves: Past, Present, and Future - Strenuous Ski Tour

Date: March 14
Times: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Begins at the Ranger Station

While skiing from the Ranger Station out to Cerro Pinon and back, participants will learn about the history of wolves in Valles Caldera, the role of wolves in the ecosystem, and the current state of Mexican Gray Wolf recovery program.

For this program, participants must bring their own skiing equipment. Classic cross-country skis are recommended. While skate skis are an option, this program will involve stops. The route is approximately 6 miles long with rolling hills. This is a strenuous route at altitude that requires proper hydration, nutrition, and physical conditioning. Participants are encouraged to bring water, snacks, and appropriate winter clothing.

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

 

Evening Programs

Evening programs are offered year-round in conjunction with the full moon, new moon, and special celestial events.

Astrophotography Workshops

Dates: November 30, January 11, March 15

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 MST exactly two weeks in advance.

Moonlit Hikes

Dates: December 14, February 15

Experience Valles Caldera illuminated by the full moon during a hike around Cerro La Jara with a park ranger. Participants will discover the nocturnal wonders of the park on this 2-hour, 1.5-mile (2.4 km) hike. Depending on snow conditions, snowshoes will be available for rent.

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

Stargazing in the Caldera

Dates: November 30, January 25, March 1

Take in the majesty of the celestial sky and learn about the stars, constellations, and planetary bodies in this International Dark Sky Park. Registration required. Meet at the park's main entrance 15-30 minutes before the start of the program. Bring water, snacks, a red light, telescope, and your own seating. Wear warm clothing. 1.5 hours. Program will be cancelled if inclement weather or cloud cover is forecast.

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

 

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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.

 
 

Last updated: December 19, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

090 Villa Louis Martin Dr.
Jemez Springs, NM 87025

Phone:

505-670-1612
Ranger Station (for general park information)

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