Are dogs allowed on Valles Caldera Trail 05?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Valles Caldera Trail 05 but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Valles Caldera Trail 05?

No, Valles Caldera Trail 05 does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Valles Caldera Trail 05?

Valles Caldera Trail 05 is rated difficult. It is 7.4 miles long with 823 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See New Mexico trail conditions

DifficultOut and Back

New Mexico

Valles Caldera Trail 05

Jemez Springs, New Mexico

7.4 mi

Distance

823 ft

Elev. Gain

2h 42m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Difficult

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

The public can now get into the park through the National Park Service. In the preserve, there are two-track jeep trails with numbers posted at different points. Walk around 4 miles to where the two intersect at the start of VC05. On some maps, it's called "Obsidian Valley". It appeared that someone had deliberately laid out obsidian to make a walkway, in many places along the trail.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:2,656 ft

Max:2,739 ft

251 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context