Valley of Fires Recreation Area

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. 13 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

Camping:

Valley of Fires Recreation area offers opportunities for RV Camping (both full-service and primitive camp sites), tent camping and day use. Each campsite and group shelter is equipped with picnic shelter and picnic table(s) for the public's enjoyment. Some of the campsites offer online reservations through Recreation.gov - Camping, Cabins, RVs, Permits, Passes & More.

Malpais Nature Trail:

The Malpais Nature trail offers a unique experience of getting trail users out into the lava. The trail is paved and accessible. Wildlife is commonly seen on or from the trail during the warm months, especially in the early morning and late evening hours. The interpretive signage along this trail and the hilltop vista at the Valley of Fires Recreation Area has been updated. These new signs provide updated information, including photos and artwork, about the lava flow, its inhabitants, and the surrounding area.

Kipuka Trail:

The Kipuka Trail is the latest addition to the Valley of Fires Recreation Area. This gentle dirt path meanders through the interior of the "Kipuka," an island of soil and vegetation encircled by the lava flow. Starting at the Visitor Center and ending at the southern edge of the recreation area, this out-and-back trail spans over a mile, or 2 ¼ miles if you walk the trail back to the starting point. While the Malpais Nature Trail offers an up-close view of the ecosystems flourishing in volcanic rock, the Kipuka Trail provides a unique experience as it takes visitors off the concrete path and into the diverse wildlife of the Chihuahuan Desert. Take sunscreen, plenty of water and watch for rattlesnakes which are sometimes seen along the path during the warmer months of the year.

Valley of Fires Junior Ranger Program:

The Junior Ranger Program offers young adventurers an exciting way to explore the lands and resources managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Children and their families can embark on a learning adventure with the Valley of Fires Junior Ranger activity book. Visit the bookstore to start your journey and get acquainted with these remarkable public lands! To call the Visitor Center ahead of time, please call 575-648-2241. For more information visit: Junior Ranger | Bureau of Land Management

Facilities

Each camp site features picnic shelter and picnic tables, tent pads (tent camping area), pedestal grills, campfire rings (most sites) as well as a trash can. 

There is a shower house with flush toilets centrally located within the campground, as well as accessible vault toilets and water spigot