The Carrizozo Lava Flow WSA is located in central New Mexico. This lava flow
is believed to be one of the most recent lava flows in the continental United
States, dating back 1,500 years. This is a flat plain but a rugged landscape
nonetheless. The surface of the lava is extremely rough and broken by
fractures, collapsed lava tubes, and pressure ridges. Sparse desert shrubs and
grasses grow in the cracks providing an interesting contrast of green against
the black lava. The area supports a remarkably diverse ecosystem, including
melanistic species with fur or skin darker than is typical for their species
since they live mostly on the dark lava. The landscape is difficult to
traverse; consequently, the opportunity to find solitude is limitless.

The Carrizozo Lava Flow WSA is located in central New Mexico. This lava flow is believed to be one of the most recent lava flows in the continental United States, dating back 1,500 years. This is a flat plain but a rugged landscape nonetheless. The surface of the lava is extremely rough and broken by fractures, collapsed lava tubes, and pressure ridges. Sparse desert shrubs and grasses grow in the cracks providing an interesting contrast of green against the black lava. The area supports a remarkably diverse ecosystem, including melanistic species with fur or skin darker than is typical for their species since they live mostly on the dark lava. The landscape is difficult to traverse; consequently, the opportunity to find solitude is limitless.

Bird's eye view of the park

Carrizozo Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area

Valley of Fires recreation area is located immediately adjacent to the Malpais
Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed
44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The
resulting lava flow is 4 to 6 miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square
miles. The lava flow is one of the youngest lava flows in the continental
United States.

From a distance, Valley of Fires looks like barren rock, but as you walk
through the nature trail you'll see many varieties of flowers, cacti, trees
and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. Animals include bats,
roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barberry sheep, and lizards. It's
also a birdwatcher's paradise, with the chance great horned owls, burrowing
owls, turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows and golden
eagles.

<p>Valley of Fires recreation area is located immediately adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is 4 to 6 miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States.</p>

<p>From a distance, Valley of Fires looks like barren rock, but as you walk through the nature trail you'll see many varieties of flowers, cacti, trees and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. Animals include bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barberry sheep, and lizards. It's also a birdwatcher's paradise, with the chance great horned owls, burrowing owls, turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows and golden eagles.</p>

## Overview

Valley of Fires recreation area is located immediately adjacent to the Malpais
Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed
44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The
resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125
square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows
in the continental United States.

The Bureau of Land Management maintains and manages the Valley of Fires
Recreation area, which is located four miles west of Carrizozo, NM, on US
Highway 380. Valley of Fires offers both camping and day use. 20 of the
campsites have 30 and 50 amp electrical hookups and water hookups, all sites
have picnic shelters, tables, trashcans and barbeque grills. Two of the RV
sites are accessible, as are the restrooms. Showers are provided in the main
restroom/shower house. An RV dump station is also available. Two group
shelters are accessible and available for rental. The 3/4 mile Malpais Nature
Trail offers a close-up look of the lava surface.

## Recreation

Valley of Fires Recreation area offers opportunities for RV Camping (both
full-service and primitive camp sites), tent camping and day use. The Malpais
Nature trail offers a unique experience of getting trail users out into the
lava. The trail is paved and accessible. Each campsite and group shelter is
equipped with picnic shelter and picnic table(s) for the public's enjoyment.

## Facilities

Valley of Fires Recreation area offers opportunities for RV Camping (both
full-service and primitive camp sites), tent camping and day use. The Malpais
Nature trail offers a unique experience of getting trail users out into the
lava. The trail is paved and accessible. Each campsite and group shelter is
equipped with picnic shelter and picnic table(s) for the public's enjoyment.

## Natural Features

From a distance, Valley of Fires appears as barren rock but when you walk
through the nature trail there are many varieties of flowers, cactus, trees
and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. Animals include bats,
roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barbary sheep, and lizards. It's
also a virtual birdwatcher's paradise with great horned owls, burrowing owls,
turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows and golden
eagles.

## Nearby Attractions

**Carrizozo Land Partnership**

****The Carrizozo Land Partnership vehicle pass page is temporarily
unavailable and the Roswell Field Office is currently unable to issue vehicle
passes to cross private lands while collection policies for personal
identifiable information are updated. All other open BLM lands remain
accessible during this time. For more information please contact the Roswell
Field Office at 575-627-0272.****

The Carrizozo Land Partnership provides access to recreators wishing to enter
public lands managed by the BLM, between the Carrizozo Lava Flow and the White
Sands Missile Range which can only be reached by crossing private land. The
CLP, a partnership between the BLM, private land owners and ranchers of this
area, has arranged for public access to BLM lands in this area by a vehicle
pass process.

Once on the BLM lands in the area, the public is allowed to hunt, camp, hike,
observe wildlife and other appropriate recreational activities. This
partnership provides access to many miles of roads and thousands of acres of
public lands for recreational enjoyment.

Terrain is from flat to rolling, with some bluffy/hilly country overlooking
the lava flows. High desert plant species inhabit this area, ranging from
desert shrubs, multiple varieties of cactus and cedar/juniper trees.

**Other nearby camping/recreation opportunities:**

Other nearby fee areas include campgrounds in the Lincoln National Forest, and
the BLM Rob Jagger's Campground. There are numerous private RV Campgrounds in
the area as well.

Additonal nearby attractions include Capitan, Lincoln, and Ruidoso. Capitan,
located 24 miles east of the Valley of Fires on U.S. Highway 380, is known as
the birthplace of Smokey Bear, and features a popular visitor center. Lincoln,
located 37 miles east on U.S. Highway 380, is famous as the site of the
historic Lincoln County Wars as well as the exploits of Billy the Kid and
Sheriff Pat Garrett. Ruidoso is a popular resort town that features a horse
racetrack, the Ski Apache skiing resort, and the Inn of the Mountain Gods
casino.

The BLM's Fort Stanton National Conservation Area, located approximately 27
miles east of the Valley of Fires on U.S. Highway 380, has 93 miles of
sustainable horseback, mountain biking, and hiking trails that wind through
open meadows and canyons. Trails are marked with flexible fiberglass markers
with the trail name or an arrow attached to the marker. Cross-country horse
and foot travel is allowed. Mountain bikes are strongly encouraged to stay on
established trails to protect the rider as well as the landscape. The trails
offer great views of the surrounding Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. The
majority of the trails start at the Rob Jaggers Campground on NM 220 where you
will find excellent camping opportunities, water for your animals, and vault
toilets.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Valley of Fires recreation area is located immediately adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States.    </p>
<p>The Bureau of Land Management maintains and manages the Valley of Fires Recreation area, which is located four miles west of Carrizozo, NM, on US Highway 380. Valley of Fires offers both camping and day use. 20 of the campsites have 30 and 50 amp electrical hookups and water hookups, all sites have picnic shelters, tables, trashcans and barbeque grills. Two of the RV sites are accessible, as are the restrooms. Showers are provided in the main restroom/shower house. An RV dump station is also available. Two group shelters are accessible and available for rental. The 3/4 mile Malpais Nature Trail offers a close-up look of the lava surface.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Valley of Fires Recreation area offers opportunities for RV Camping (both full-service and primitive camp sites), tent camping and day use. The Malpais Nature trail offers a unique experience of getting trail users out into the lava. The trail is paved and accessible. Each campsite and group shelter is equipped with picnic shelter and picnic table(s) for the public's enjoyment.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>Valley of Fires Recreation area offers opportunities for RV Camping (both full-service and primitive camp sites), tent camping and day use. The Malpais Nature trail offers a unique experience of getting trail users out into the lava. The trail is paved and accessible. Each campsite and group shelter is equipped with picnic shelter and picnic table(s) for the public's enjoyment.</p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>From a distance, Valley of Fires appears as barren rock but when you walk through the nature trail there are many varieties of flowers, cactus, trees and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. Animals include bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barbary sheep, and lizards. It's also a virtual birdwatcher's paradise with great horned owls, burrowing owls, turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows and golden eagles. </p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p><strong>Carrizozo Land Partnership</strong> </p>
<p><strong>**The Carrizozo Land Partnership vehicle pass page is temporarily unavailable and the Roswell Field Office is currently unable to issue vehicle passes to cross private lands while collection policies for personal identifiable information are updated. All other open BLM lands remain accessible during this time. For more information please contact the Roswell Field Office at 575-627-0272.**</strong></p>
<p>The Carrizozo Land Partnership provides access to recreators wishing to enter public lands managed by the BLM, between the Carrizozo Lava Flow and the White Sands Missile Range which can only be reached by crossing private land. The CLP, a partnership between the BLM, private land owners and ranchers of this area, has arranged for public access to BLM lands in this area by a vehicle pass process.</p>
<p>Once on the BLM lands in the area, the public is allowed to hunt, camp, hike, observe wildlife and other appropriate recreational activities. This partnership provides access to many miles of roads and thousands of acres of public lands for recreational enjoyment. </p>
<p>Terrain is from flat to rolling, with some bluffy/hilly country overlooking the lava flows. High desert plant species inhabit this area, ranging from desert shrubs, multiple varieties of cactus and cedar/juniper trees.  </p>
<p><strong>Other nearby camping/recreation opportunities:</strong></p>
<p>Other nearby fee areas include campgrounds in the Lincoln National Forest, and the BLM Rob Jagger's Campground. There are numerous private RV Campgrounds in the area as well. </p>
<p>Additonal nearby attractions include Capitan, Lincoln, and Ruidoso. Capitan, located 24 miles east of the Valley of Fires on U.S. Highway 380, is known as the birthplace of Smokey Bear, and features a popular visitor center. Lincoln, located 37 miles east on U.S. Highway 380, is famous as the site of the historic Lincoln County Wars as well as the exploits of Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett. Ruidoso is a popular resort town that features a horse racetrack, the Ski Apache skiing resort, and the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino. </p>
<p>The BLM's Fort Stanton National Conservation Area, located approximately 27 miles east of the Valley of Fires on U.S. Highway 380, has 93 miles of sustainable horseback, mountain biking, and hiking trails that wind through open meadows and canyons. Trails are marked with flexible fiberglass markers with the trail name or an arrow attached to the marker. Cross-country horse and foot travel is allowed. Mountain bikes are strongly encouraged to stay on established trails to protect the rider as well as the landscape. The trails offer great views of the surrounding Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. The majority of the trails start at the Rob Jaggers Campground on NM 220 where you will find  excellent camping opportunities, water for your animals, and  vault toilets.</p>

Showers and restroom building with self service pay station and information Kiosk.

Shower/Restroom

Looking west over the lava with the Malpais Nature Trail and highway 380 in the background.

Looking West.

Tent Camping Area

The White Mountain Wilderness in the background.

Beautiful scenery from the recreation area.

Valley of Fires Campground and Recreation Area

Morning in the Malpais

Trail

View from one of the campsites overlooking the lava west of the Recreation Area.

Scenery

Group Shelter 2

The dense vegetation inside of the lava provides excellent habitat for many species of wildlife.

Habitat

Looking South

Aerial view looking towards start of Nature Trail and the bookstore.

Aerial View

Aerial view looking north towards highway 380.

Looking North

Lava seen while driving through the tent camping area.

Lava and cactus

Lava

Hikers enjoying a walk around the Malpais Nature Trail

Enjoying the nature trail.

Map showing the campsites and amenities at Valley of Fires

Campground Map

Valley of Fires Recreation Area

Valley of Fires

The Little Black Peak WSA is located in the central part of New Mexico. At
5,676 feet, Little Black Peak, the primary source of the surrounding lava
flow, is the only feature rising significantly above the surrounding flat
plain. It is a rugged landscape of lava approximately 5,000 years old. The
lava is broken by fissures and jumbled outcrops, and includes an occasional
lava tube. Sparse desert shrubs and grasses grow in the cracks, providing an
interesting contrast of green against the black lava. The area supports a
remarkably diverse ecosystem, including some species that have developed
darker skin coloration to match the rock. Hiking onto the lava flow is
extremely rugged. You must be well prepared with appropriate footwear and
other outdoor gear.

The Little Black Peak WSA is located in the central part of New Mexico. At 5,676 feet, Little Black Peak, the primary source of the surrounding lava flow, is the only feature rising significantly above the surrounding flat plain. It is a rugged landscape of lava approximately 5,000 years old. The lava is broken by fissures and jumbled outcrops, and includes an occasional lava tube. Sparse desert shrubs and grasses grow in the cracks, providing an interesting contrast of green against the black lava. The area supports a remarkably diverse ecosystem, including some species that have developed darker skin coloration to match the rock.  
 
Hiking onto the lava flow is extremely rugged. You must be well prepared with appropriate footwear and other outdoor gear.

Carrizozo Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Valley of Fires

Little Black Peak Wilderness Study Area