São José do Vale do Rio Preto is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 21,916 (2020) and its area is 240 km2. The municipality contains the 346 ha Pedra das Flores Natural Monument, created in 2005. It contains the 13223 ha Maravilha Environmental Protection Area and the 1979 ha Araponga Municipal Nature Park, both created in 2006. It is part of the Central Rio de Janeiro Atlantic Forest Mosaic of conservation units, created in 2006. São José do Vale borders the municipalities of Sapucaia, Areal, and Chiador, and is located 29 km northeast of Teresópolis.