Frosty aspen leaves. Photo by David Krueger/NPS

VCNP NEWS RELEASE

From October 4 through 12, the National Park Service will host the 2025 Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta—a time to celebrate the rich natural beauty and cultural heritage of this volcanic landscape.

The first weekend of the fiesta—October 4 and 5—is packed with activities. Rangers will be leading guided programs and art activities throughout both days, guest speakers will share their knowledge, tribal artisans will demonstrate their cultural artistry, artists and educators will offer information and sale items at booths, and visitors may enjoy self-guided activities each evening during extended park hours.

The park will host four evenings of special, reservation-based programs on October 4, 5, 10, and 11. Rangers and volunteers will help participants appreciate the night sky or try their hands at astrophotography. Concurrently, audiophiles can experience storytelling through music during a silent disco.

The fiesta days spanning October 6 through 12 will offer a variety of unique ranger-guided experiences that are different each day, as well as the self-paced Valle Grande After Hours.

Adding to the fiesta are a plethora of self-guided activities. The new Cabin District Interpretive Trail is now open, offering outstanding views of Valle Grande and interpretive signs that tell the stories of this unique place. The Volcano Discovery Center is home to a new, state-of-the-art, multisensory exhibit that recreates the catastrophic eruption that occurred 1.2 million years ago and dives into scores of other stories. Wildlife-watching, photography, biking, and painting are also rewarding ways to experience Valles Caldera National Preserve during the fall season.

This year, we will be hosting the events in the Cabin District, which is located about 4 miles down the park’s gravel entrance road. Activities will include:

• Artisan village and educational booths on Oct. 4-5
• Cultural demonstrations on Oct. 4-5
• Guest speakers on Oct. 4-5
• Eruption simulations every hour on the half hour in the Volcano Discovery Center
• Ranger-guided programs every day
• Self-guided after-hours access of Valle Grande every night from 5-8 pm
• Evening, reservation-based programs October 4, 5, 10, and 11 from 6:30-9:45 pm
  • Silent discos
  • Stargazing
  • Astrophotography

As activities are confirmed, details will be shared in the daily schedule below and on our Calendar of Events. We look forward to seeing you at Valles Caldera National Preserve!

NOTE: Leashed and well-behaved pets are welcome at Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta. They may accompany their humans on the Cabin District Trail, in picnic areas, and at the artisan village. However, pets are not permitted inside of the Volcano Discovery Center or in the park’s backcountry. Thank you for understanding!

Visit https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/fall-fiesta.htm to plan your time at this annual autumn event. Click on “Daily Schedule” for full details.

www.nps.gov/vall
Valles Caldera National Preserve | About 1.2 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created the 14-mile-wide circular depression now known as Valles Caldera. The park is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich cultural history. Visit us at nps.gov/vall.

National Park Service | More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at nps.gov.