Bobcat walking through a valle at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy/NPS

VCNP News:

The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, access to Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) is as follows:

The park landscape remains open to vehicles along N.M. 4 and pedestrian/bicycle access along trails, as designated.

There are some areas of the park that can be explored from N.M. 4 including the following trails in the Valle Grande District:

• Coyote Call;
• Rabbit Ridge; and
• Valle Grande.

West of the main entrance, the Banco Bonito and Sulphur Canyon areas also have trails to explore, all of which are accessible from N.M. 4.

The road to the Entrance Station is open during normal park operating hours. The Entrance Station is open to the public. Masks are required to be worn in the building, regardless of vaccination status.

Vehicle access to the backcountry is possible with a permit obtained at the Entrance Station. The Ranger Station is open to the public.

asks are required to be worn in the building, regardless of vaccination status.

Visitors may fish on all waters within the preserve with a NPS permit and New Mexico fishing license. Fall elk hunting with a NPS special use permit for Unit 6B is also allowed with a permit. Please obey all preserve regulations.

While the listed areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased, and services may be limited. When recreating, please follow state health orders and recreate responsibly by physical distancing, wearing a face covering when physical distance cannot be maintained, avoiding high risk activities, and staying home if you feel sick.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Fully vaccinated people who are at least two weeks past their final shot are not required to wear masks outdoors. Masks are still necessary when in buildings.