The Valles Caldera National Preserve: New Mexico's Crown Jewel

The Valles Caldera is an amazing place to hunt, fish, camp, or just enjoy the outdoors! Learn more about this amazing park's history from the National Park Service staff and the people who love it.

[@alans.philippines]

I used to live in Santa Fe. The nicest climate scenery ever.

[@kaylee4394]

One of the most beautiful places on earth

[@robbiedejonge8613]

Use to live just east of here. So many fond and precious memories of Valles Caldera. Thank you for Sharing. I so miss my home.

[@BenOrvis]

Love this. Thank you, my valuable friends.

[@mrdan322]

Used to work there back in the 70s. We knew the place well.

[@tommunyon2874]

My father patrolled on graveyard shift for years. He was used to seeing the occasional feral burro, so he wasn't sure what he was looking at the first time an elk showed up in his headlights in the West Jemez drive to the Valle Grande.

[@jaytonhawkins2872]

We came across this place completely by accident on our way to Durango Co. It took my breath away.

[@rayslife4k]

I went there last week and it’s so beautiful. I will ride my motorcycle to the caves that’s my goal next weekend. Oh and I will also take extra gas and food since there is no stores. Wish me and my 1997 Yamaha royal star

[@swadventurer6624]

One of my favorite places.

[@robertcalamusso1603]

Magical NM ☮️🇺🇸🌞

[@kaylee4394]

This is truly one of the most beautiful places in America. Mean here many time at different hours to see wild I’ve a Blackhawk helicopters fly over

[@E180TEKNO]

01:29 that's why I love the usa it's just one of the most beautiful countries in the world even if some people don't admit it and it's a french guy who tells you that. 01:39 awesome 04:10 it's beautifull just 04:22 in france we call it a "truite fario"

[@dvskane1808]

I agree, my niece has been taught right, and she says”you don’t pollute the earth, pick up after yourself!” Wise words from a six year old.

[@stevenpierce9160]

I wish I could do that

[@haiirotaka1929]

Interestingly, New Mexico is known as Niǔ Mòxīgē 紐墨西哥 in Chinese.

[@nmelkhunter1]

Incredibly beautiful place. I have very fond memories of this place. I killed a cow elk here nine months before my dear friend I was hunting with passed away. I also helped a youth hunter who was hunting with his Dad, Grandfather and younger brother kill his first cow elk. They traveled all the way from South Dakota from him to do so. Great folks! Lastly, I helped the aforementioned friend harvest a 330" bull elk near San Antonio creek near the cabin by the creek.

[@greg1030]

Sheriff Longmire's cabin.

[@johnmcnulty4425]

What about reintroducing wolves to balance the elk population?

[@ElMasChingon76]

Hell no.

[@MrCheaterpipe]

The state makes a lot of money selling elk tags and is a lot more controllable than releasing wolves to control population combine that with the fact the land is also used for cattle grazing and the ranchers won't tolerate their livestock being hunted

[@Andrea-tk7vm]

This makes me sick, allowing hunters . Why call it a preserve? Don't hunters have access to so much of the land already? Yes they do.