Valles Caldera National Preserve

Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico protects 89,000 acres of a massive volcanic caldera formed approximately 1.25 million years ago, when the emptying of the Valles Rhyolite magma chamber caused the overlying ground to collapse into an 8-by-12-mile bowl. The preserve encompasses one of the largest and most visually complete calderas in the world, including the wide grass-covered Valles Grande (the main valley floor), the densely forested mountains along the caldera rim, and several resurgent volcanic domes that rise from the floor as rounded forested hills. The open meadows of the Valles Grande support the largest elk herd in New Mexico, estimated at 4,000 to 5,000 animals, making this one of the premier elk-viewing destinations in the American West. Wildlife photographers and hunters both prize the preserve during the September rut, when bulls bugle and gather harems in the wide open meadows under the caldera rim. Multiple hiking trails explore the preserve's interior, including the Coyote Call Trail (2.5 miles), the East Fork Trail along the Jemez River, and routes ascending the caldera rim and volcanic domes. Fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout is permitted in the East Fork of the Jemez River and other streams with a valid New Mexico state fishing license. The preserve operated as a private cattle ranch — the Baca Ranch — until its federal acquisition in 2000, and several historic ranch buildings near the entrance remain. Winter brings cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities when the meadows carry sufficient snow from December through March. The preserve entrance is at NM-4 mile marker 39.2, approximately 14 miles west of Los Alamos, New Mexico.