Valle Grande – Valles Caldera National Preserve
About one million years ago, the magnificent valley was formed by collapse, after a series of tremendous volcanic eruptions ejected a Volume of material more than 500 times greater than the May 1980 eruptions of Mt. St Helens, This event climaxed more than 13 million years of volcanism in the Jemez Mountains. Minor volumes of magma, leaking to the surface as recently as 50,000 years ago, formed the dome-like hills between you and the skyline to the north, which is the opposite wall of the enormous Valles Caldera. The heat from young volcanism makes this area attractive for geothermal energy.
Valles Caldera (or Jemez Caldera) is a 13.7-mile wide volcanic caldera in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. Hot springs, streams, fumaroles, natural gas seeps and volcanic domes dot the caldera floor landscape. The highest point in the caldera is Redondo Peak, an 11,253-foot resurgent lava dome located entirely within the caldera. Also within the caldera are several grass valleys, or valles, the largest of which is Valle Grande, the only one accessible by a paved road. Much of the caldera is within the Valles Caldera National Preserve, a unit of the National Park System. In 1975, Valles Caldera was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.
There are several pullouts along NM 4 to stop and view wildlife, take photos, stargaze, and find more information about Valles Caldera National Preserve at our informational waysides. These pullouts are open 24/7 for amazing views of the Valle Grande during the day and the best views of the night sky after dark.
Where it is:
Valles Caldera National Preserve covers nearly 89,000 acres nestled inside a volcanic caldera in north central New Mexico.
- Take I-25 north to Route 599 (Santa Fe Relief Route) – follow signs on 599 north to Los Alamos- Espanola).
- In Pojoaque, follow signs to Los Alamos and Hwy 502.
- You can take the “truck route” to Highway 4 below Los Alamos or drive through Los Alamos and follow signs to “Jemez Mtns.” (State Hwy. 4)
- (If you pass through Los Alamos proper, take Trinity Drive to Diamond. Take a left on Diamond, then a right on West Jemez Road to the intersection with State Highway 4. Take a right [away from Bandelier National Monument], following the highway up and into the Jemez Mountains.)
- The Preserve is 18 miles up Highway 4 from Los Alamos. Driving time from the intersection of I-25 and I-40 is approximately 2.5 hours.
From Albuquerque via Jemez Springs:
- Take I-25 North and Exit on to Highway 550 (Farmington Highway – old Hwy 44).
- In San Ysidro, take Hwy 4 to Jemez Pueblo and Jemez Springs.
- Follow Highway 4 at fork at La Cueva (stay right).
- Preserve is about 22 miles from Jemez Springs. Look for the Main Gate at Mile Marker 39.2.
- The Preserve is 21 miles up Highway 4 from Jemez Springs. Driving time from the intersection of I-25 and I-40 is approximately 2 hours.
- Head north on Highway 84-285 past the Santa Fe Opera.
- In Pojoaque, follow signs to Los Alamos and Hwy 502.
- You can take the “truck route” to Highway 4 below Los Alamos or drive through Los Alamos and follow signs to “Jemez Mtns.” (Hwy 4)
- (If you pass through Los Alamos proper, take Trinity Drive to Diamond. Take a left on Diamond, then a right on Jemez Road to the intersection with State Highway 4. Take a right [away from Bandelier National Monument], following the highway up and into the Jemez Mountains.)
- The Preserve is 18 miles up Highway 4 from Los Alamos. Driving time from Santa Fe is approximately 1.5 hours.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
35°51’6.06″ N 106°27’18.942″ W
Cost:
Seven-day pass if entering via
- Non-commercial car, van, pickup truck, motorcycle or RV: $25 per vehicle (no per-person fee)
- Foot, bicycle, horse, or non-commercial bus: $15 per person aged 16 and older
National Park passes are accepted.
Hours:
The preserve is always open.
Valle Grande Entrance Station
Summer (May 15 to October 31); daily; 9 AM to 5 PM
Winter (November 1 to May 14) daily; 9 AM to 5 PM (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Located two miles from main entrance off Hwy. 4 at mile marker 39.2
Valle Grande – Valles Caldera National Preserve Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in New Mexico:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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