Valley Of Fires Recreation Area

About

Valley of Fires Recreation Area is a Bureau of Land Management site located four miles west of Carrizozo, New Mexico, on US Highway 380. The campground sits at the edge of the Malpais Lava Flow, which erupted from Little Black Peak roughly 5,000 years ago and spread 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin. At four to six miles wide and up to 160 feet thick, this 125-square-mile basalt expanse is considered one of the youngest lava flows in the lower 48 states. The recreation area offers 25 campsites: 13 full-service RV sites with water and 30/50-amp electric hookups, several primitive RV sites, and dedicated tent camping. Every site includes a picnic shelter, table, trash can, and barbecue grill; most have fire rings. A central shower house provides flush toilets and showers, with accessible vault toilets and water spigots distributed throughout. An RV dump station operates from 7 AM to 7 PM. The nearly one-mile paved Malpais Nature Trail is fully accessible and offers an up-close look at the lava surface and the plants and animals that have colonized it. A newer Kipuka Trail (over one mile each way) leads through an "island" of soil and vegetation surrounded by lava. Wildlife includes mule deer, barbary sheep, roadrunners, great horned owls, golden eagles, and various lizards and bats. The visitor center operates limited hours and is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Directions

Travel four miles west of Carrizozo, New Mexico on US Highway 380. Valley of Fires Recreation Area is on the left (south side of the highway).