FIRE & CLOSURE NOTICE

The McCauley Springs Fire, reported on June 24, has closed NM4 near Valles Caldera National Preserve. Please check NPS and USFS websites before visiting to confirm if they are open.

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County enters Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on May 28, 2026

Due to ongoing dry conditions and prevailing high winds, Fire Marshal Colorado Cordova of the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) has elevated fire restrictions to Stage 2 within the boundaries of Los Alamos County to safeguard public health and safety, as well as protect lands, structures, natural and historical artifacts.

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Gateway to Three National Parks

Three remarkable national park sites surround Los Alamos, making the community a natural starting point for exploring some of the Southwest’s most memorable landscapes and historic places. From ancient cliff dwellings and rugged canyons to vast volcanic valleys and the story of one of the most significant scientific efforts in modern history, each destination offers a completely different experience within a short drive of town. Together, Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve, and Manhattan Project National Historical Park showcase the unique combination of culture, history, science, and outdoor recreation that defines the region.

Visitors can walk among centuries-old Ancestral Pueblo sites at Bandelier, explore the expansive volcanic landscape and wildlife habitat of Valles Caldera, or discover the places connected to the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos. Each park offers its own perspective on the region’s history and natural beauty while providing opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, photography, and learning. Whether you are interested in archaeology, geology, history, or simply spending time outdoors, these three parks create an unforgettable experience in northern New Mexico.

Bandelier National Monument

At Bandelier National Monument, one of the National Park Service’s oldest sites (1916), you will find Ancestral Pueblo dwellings scattered across a landscape of broad mesas and steep-walled canyons that provide habitat for a diversity of plant and animal life.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

For over a decade, the Department of Energy and National Park Service, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, state and local governments, and other stakeholders, pursued the possibility of including the Department’s most significant Manhattan Project properties within a Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

Valles Caldera National Preserve

Among the newest additions to the National Park System, the 89,000-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve encompasses a caldera formed by volcanic eruptions 1.25 million years ago that possesses exceptional value in illustrating and interpreting massive explosive volcanic eruptions, caldera formation, and the functioning of active geothermal systems.