Valles Caldera National Preserve · New Mexico

Rabbit Ridge Spur Trail

1.2 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Rabbit Ridge Trail: 2.4 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 650 ft of climbing · 8,958 ft–9,604 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Winter seasonal closure dependent on current conditions

Hike the Rabbit Ridge Trail 2.4 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

1-2 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies · season This is one of the few hiking trails that is accessible year-round at Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Start Rabbit Ridge Trail

The Rabbit Ridge Trail (2.4 miles, 3.8 km round-trip) is an optional spur off of the Rabbit Mountain Loop that ascends to the south rim of Valles Caldera. The trail passes through aspen groves and offers outstanding views of Valle Grande and Redondo Peak. At the trail's summit is the boundary line between Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument, both administered by the National Park Service.

Caution: This trail traverses the Las Conchas wildfire burn scar, which can be hazardous in high winds due to standing dead trees.

Elevation: 8,951 - 9,606 feet

Accessibility This trail follows old logging routes and traverses steep grades.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.