The Chochetopa caldera is one of over a dozen such collapsed volcanoes within the San Juan volcanic field.

The caldera is approximately 20 mi (30 km) wide and vertical subsidence was up to 2,600 ft (800 m).

The present vegetation helps make the caldera's features and extent even more apparent.

This contrast in vegetation helps a visitor visualize the caldera[7][8] Private property to the north and west limits access to the mountain.

From the Cochetopa Park Spur F Road (Forest Road 804.1F), at an open saddle at an elevation of (9,750 feet (2,972 m)), the summit is a 2-mile (3.2 km), class-2 hike through meadow and forest.