During the 2025 Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta, the front-country area of the park will remain open until 8:00 pm each night for self-guided activities like observing/photographing wildlife, taking a sunset hike, or enjoying the night sky. The area that will remain open after-hours is from the main entrance to the Cabin District.
Make the most of your experience by practicing these after-hours courtesies:
Plan ahead and prepare. There will likely be no visitor services available after-hours. For this reason, visitors should bring everything they need for a safe and comfortable visit, including warm clothing, snacks, drinking water, flashlights/headlamps, etc.
Respect wildlife. October is the height of the elk rut, which is an amazing phenomenon to witness. To respect this sensitive time for wildlife, please keep noise levels to a minimum, observe from a safe distance, properly dispose of all food waste, and follow posted speed limits.
Be considerate of other visitors. Many visitors will come to the caldera after dark to enjoy its magnificent night sky. Please minimize your impact on the stargazing experience by using red headlamps or flashlights, avoiding unnecessary vehicular travel (headlights) in the park after dark, and, when vehicular travel is necessary, following posted speed limits to minimize dust and ensure visitor/wildlife safety.
Stay mindful of the time. The main entrance gate will be closed and locked promptly at 8:00 pm each night. It is each visitor's responsibility to be back at their vehicle and exiting the park on time.
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