Unit 6B, New Mexico

The caldera measures approximately 13.7 miles in diameter and is defined by a broad volcanic basin with multiple resurgent lava domes. Valley floors run approximately 8,400–9,000 feet in elevation; the domes rise an additional 1,000+ feet above that. The highest point, Redondo Peak, reaches 11,253 feet. The landscape is a mosaic of vast open meadows (the valles) surrounded by steeply timbered volcanic domes. Roughly 25,000 acres of the preserve are open grassland; the remainder is conifer forest and wetlands.

The preserve is managed by the National Park Service. New Mexico State Road 4 (NM-4) is the sole paved route, skirting the southern boundary through the Valle Grande viewshed. The primary hunter staging area is Banco Bonito (milepost 30 on NM-4), where mandatory pre-hunt orientations are held and permitted camping is available ($50 for 5 nights / $30 for 3 nights). All hunters must hold a Valles Caldera National Preserve Special Use Permit in addition to their NMDGF license. As of January 1, 2025, a park entrance fee is also required ($25 per vehicle for 7 days; $15 per person on foot or bicycle; $20 per motorcycle). Motor vehicles and e-bikes are restricted to designated access roads; one vehicle per hunting party (up to 5 passengers) is enforced. Horseback hunting is permitted with a weed-free feed requirement. Approximately 100% of the unit is public land (NPS). There is NO deer or bear hunting within GMU 6B; all hunting is closed except elk and turkey draw hunts. Front-country areas — Valle Grande viewshed, South Mountain, and Rabbit Mountain — are closed to hunting. Two licensed outfitters hold commercial use authorizations for guide services on the preserve: 505 Outfitters, LLC (505-239-1531) and Wilderness Outfitter Productions, LLC (505-330-9776). Nearest services (fuel, lodging, groceries) are in Los Alamos (~30 miles east) or Jemez Springs (~15 miles south on NM-4).

The preserve contains approximately 66,000 acres of conifer forest dominated by Engelmann spruce, Douglas-fir, white fir, ponderosa pine, blue spruce, limber pine, and aspen. Lower areas support pinyon and juniper. The broad valley floors (Valle Grande and others) are covered with fescue, oatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and native bunchgrasses — the primary elk foraging zone. Approximately 1,650 acres of wetlands include rushes and sedges along stream drainages. Lower-elevation winter range at the perimeter transitions to sagebrush steppe.

Elk are the dominant big-game species; NPS estimates 2,500–3,000 animals occupy the preserve for breeding, calving, and foraging — New Mexico's largest concentrated elk herd. The Jemez herd unit is characterized by stable populations and higher-than-average bull-to-cow ratios, with all GMU 6B elk bull hunts designated as quality hunts. The caldera provides critical year-round habitat — calving areas in spring, summer grazing in the open valles, and rut activity in September–October. Merriam's turkeys (approximately 400 birds) inhabit the preserve April through December. Black bear and mountain lion are present in the surrounding Jemez Mountains and adjacent GMUs but are not hunted within GMU 6B. Mule deer also occur in the broader Jemez range but have no authorized season within the NPS boundary. Additional non-game wildlife includes golden eagles, badgers, and Gunnison's prairie dogs.