Photo of a man, wearing a backpack, looking accross the valley.

hiking overview

Backcountry Hiking

Spend a day hiking the backcountry of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, encountering wildlife, taking in the beautiful vistas of the caldera and its domes and valles, and experiencing the quiet that settles over this place. Each designated trail offers you the chance to explore a prominent feature of the Preserve, with hikes of about seven miles or more in length. Most hikes are self-guided but you can also take a guided hike to learn more about the Preserve. Backcountry hikes require advance reservations via our Web site, a scheduled shuttle to the trailhead, and a fee. Click here for available hikes.

Free Spontaneous Hiking

Stop by and hike shorter trails accessible from State Highway 4 without fee or reservation seven days a week from dawn to sunset. The Coyote Call Trail (See Map), three miles round-trip, and Valle Grande Trail (See Map), two miles round-trip, offer scenic glimpses of the Valle Grande and the caldera beyond.

Hiking Fees

$10 per person; $5 for children 15-and-under; 20 percent discount for seniors 62-and-over.

Guided Hike Fees

$15 per person; $8 for children 15-and-under; 20 percent discount for seniors 62-and-over.

Best time to hike

Early June into September.