Photo of a group of mountain bike riders getting ready for a ride.

Special Events Overview

The Valles Caldera National Preserve hosts a wide array of special events, from special guided tours for your group or family to mountain bike events. We offer programs designed to get you out onto the Preserve for a day of exploration and discovery.

Schedule your event

Some events may be reserved on line by following the links above. Others may need to be scheduled by staff. If you have a large group or special needs please contact us at (505)661-3333 for more information regarding your Special Event.

Artist's Events

These are opportunities for artists to practice their craft in the Caldera. Each of these events will take a limited number of artists to specific locations on the Preserve. Locations and times will vary, so be sure and read the details of what you are signing up for. In general we will shuttle you to the event location, point out the features, and let the Preserve inspire you.

Artist's Events Details
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Youth Fly Fishing Clinics

VCT staff, along with knowledgeable volunteers, conducts fly fishing clinics for youths, allowing up to 20 youths the opportunity to fish the headwaters of the East Fork on the Preserve. Youths(8-16yrs old) spend a half day learning about tackle, knots and insects. They will have time to practice their casting in the morning and then head for the fishing hole in the afternoon. Bring a lunch to enjoy along the stream and be prepared for weather. This activity is extremely popular, so sign up early. Parents are asked to drop youths off and come back at the end of the day.

$15/person
Youth fly fishing clinic dates and details.
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Adult Fly Fishing Clinics

Bob Gerding's Outdoor Adventures, along with other well known NM fishing experts and authors, conduct a full day fly fishing clinic for adults. These clinics consist of a half day of instruction which takes place at the lodge and includes tackle, equipment, stream insect sampling and identification, and casting techniques. Participants perfect their casting techniques on the Valle Grande, lunch is served, and the class heads out to the San Antonio River for an afternoon of putting new skills to the test. Having a fishing guide along makes for a special learning experience as well as a successful day of catching fish. Rental equipment is available for $30/day payable the day of the clinic.

Adults $150/ person including lunch
Adult fly fishing clinic dates and details.
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Run The Caldera Marathon

Here’s a challenge for you! The third annual, Run the Caldera Marathon, takes place on Saturday June 14, 2008. This marathon provides a great opportunity to run at over 8000 feet of elevation and see most of the Preserve. The course follows old logging roads through the forest and up and down the mountains with some spectacular views. During this picturesque run you will experience over 2,100 feet of elevation change. Aid stations will be spaced approximately every 3 miles.

There will be no race day registration.

Registration: $60/ runner
There will be no race day registration.
Marathon Details
Marathon Map
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Photography Workshop

Join us for an unforgettable three day personalized photography journey on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Bring your equipment, stories, and knowledge to share with others. This is an opportunity to learn and teach others with similar photographic interests. July is a prime time to capture the Caldera’s beautiful landscapes, from expansive mountain meadows to meandering streams, old-growth forests and historic ranch buildings. Activities will include extensive opportunities to photograph some of the most scenic places on the 89,000 acre Preserve, short day hikes, and informal discussions about photography, composition, Photoshop, and anything else that might come to mind. There will be a Preserve staff member on hand at all times to provide you with the most current information about the natural history, climate, and other relevant issues about the Preserve. Film or digital equipment is suitable. All levels of photographers are welcome.

Breakfast, dinner, and lodging (2 nights) will be provided. The event will begin at 9:00am on July 18th at the Valle Grande Staging Area, from here Preserve transportation will shuttle you to the historic headquarters area of the Preserve. The number of participants is limited for this event so make your reservations soon. Participates are responsible for bringing their own lunch and additional snacks. There will be plenty of refrigerate space for participants to store their food.

$440/ individual

$800/ couple
Photography Workshop details
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Mountain Bike Tours

Come explore the Caldera on your mountain bike! These events will provide opportunities for all ages and ability levels. At the check in station, you will be given a map and the freedom to choose your own route from what is available. We will be staging out of two parking lots. One for the "cruisers" and one for the "climbers". Cruisers are those folks wanting a relatively easy ride for the whole family. Climbers are those folks looking for some elevation change and longer distances. All of the roads for this event will be open to both cruisers and climbers. The intent is to put each group closer to the type of trails they are looking for.

$20/ Adult Rider,
$10/ Youth Rider (6 - 16),
Free/ Kids (under 6)

Mountain Bike Tour Details
Event Maps
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Mountain Biking Trails

Imagine a day on your bike on one of New Mexico's most scenic and historic ranches. Riders will enjoy the forests and meadows of the Preserve's less traveled areas. Riders will not be sharing trails with hikers, horses or other visitors, so distractions will be at a minimum. The number of bikes on the trails will be low to ensure you have a solitary ride if that is what you seek. Old logging roads allow riders to easily ride in pairs and traverse varying terrains that include some ascents and descents as well as great views.

The Preserve accommodates riders seeking different experiences. There are four loops available for rides ranging in length from 2.5-12 miles. All trails are through forested terrain and across or around large meadows on established logging roads. Expect to see a wide array of birds, elk and perhaps a bear or coyote along the way. Elevation of the Preserve is 8700-feet and higher.

$10/ Rider,
Free/ Kids (under 6)

Mountain Biking Trail Details
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Orienteering

This course will familiarize the participant with the essentials of topographic features, reading the terrain and utilizing your compass to stay oriented. Also covered will be the basics of GPS usage, geographic and projected coordinate systems. Most of the class time will be spent in the field with about 90 minutes indoors for classroom fun.

$35/ participant

Orienteering Details
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Star Gazing on the Caldera

Who has not looked upward to a star-filled sky with wonder? As children, we are excited at the prospect of looking through a telescope for the first time, and we ask, “What is that? How did that come to be? What would it be like to visit that star?” As we grow older, we tend to not ask those questions as often; but nevertheless, our curiosity remains.

As an astronomical tour guide, James Maxwell’s objective is to bring the wonder of the universe to both adults and children. During this two hour tour, you will be able to see for yourself many different wonders, including nearby planets, beautiful star clusters, the Milky Way, and spectacular distant spiral galaxies. You will explore worlds outside our solar system, see exploding stars and colliding galaxies, and view objects far across the known universe. You will be able to observe these objects through a large 24” telescope and learn about our place in the Universe. Each tour of the night sky will be somewhat different, depending on the experience level of the audience and the date/time of the year.

One common thread is that we’ll begin with the basics, so that everyone knows what to expect, how to observe through a telescope, and how to visualize the scale and nature of what they are seeing. Dr. Maxwell has been an avid amateur and professional astronomer for over 28 years and he has been able to teach this subject in ways that allow everyone to understand the universe around them and gain interest in the subject. So come with your questions and be ready for an evening of fun under the stars--in one of the most unusual and exciting places to see them: the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

$30/ Adult
$24/ Senior (62+)
$15/ Youth (6-15 years old)
Free/ Kids (under 6)

Star Gazing on the Caldera Details
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Group Tours

Various groups request special tours and these will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis when VCT staff and resources are available. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are our least busy days on the preserve so keep that in mind when requesting your event. The tours offered may include van tours, catered lunch or dinner at the Lodge, wagon rides, or demonstrations and speakers. Charges are based on costs incurred. Please contact us via email with your request including dates, numbers of participants, and expectations.
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