Valley of Fires Recreation Area

The Valley of Fires Recreation Area is BLM land that includes a nature center, small camping area, picnic pavilions, and more importantly, a paved and accessible walking trail that takes the visitor out into a small portion of the Carrizozo Malpais lava field. The paved path includes about a dozen interpretive signs that speak to the lava field and the ecosystem of the area. This is a must-see fo... The Valley of Fires Recreation Area is BLM land that includes a nature center, small camping area, picnic pavilions, and more importantly, a paved and accessible walking trail that takes the visitor out into a small portion of the Carrizozo Malpais lava field. The paved path includes about a dozen interpretive signs that speak to the lava field and the ecosystem of the area. This is a must-see for anyone driving this section of Highway 380. No need to go to Iceland when you can see lava fields here! The shapes and textures are amazing, as are the plants that have managed to grow in this landscape. We completed the Malpais Trail in about 1/2 hour. The lava fields were created from lava flowing from vents in the valley floor almost 3,000 years ago. Looking at satellite images, the over 40 mile lava flow is visible as a dark gray/ charcoal field next to the rest of the desert landscape.

The Valley of Fires Recreation Area is BLM land that includes a nature center, small camping area, picnic pavilions, and more importantly, a paved and accessible walking trail that takes the visitor out into a small portion of the Carrizozo Malpais lava field. The paved path includes about a dozen interpretive signs that speak to the lava field and the ecosystem of the area. This is a must-see fo... The Valley of Fires Recreation Area is BLM land that includes a nature center, small camping area, picnic pavilions, and more importantly, a paved and accessible walking trail that takes the visitor out into a small portion of the Carrizozo Malpais lava field. The paved path includes about a dozen interpretive signs that speak to the lava field and the ecosystem of the area. This is a must-see for anyone driving this section of Highway 380. No need to go to Iceland when you can see lava fields here! The shapes and textures are amazing, as are the plants that have managed to grow in this landscape. We completed the Malpais Trail in about 1/2 hour. The lava fields were created from lava flowing from vents in the valley floor almost 3,000 years ago. Looking at satellite images, the over 40 mile lava flow is visible as a dark gray/ charcoal field next to the rest of the desert landscape.

Beautiful scenery and stunning lava formations. There is a nice paved trail which about 3/4 mile long and takes you through the lava flows with points of interest and descriptions of the wildlife, plants and the lava flow. Campgrounds were clean. The gazebos were about 50 feet from the RV site which is not ideal. There is water and electric on most sites. I gave it 4 stars due to the dump being... Beautiful scenery and stunning lava formations. There is a nice paved trail which about 3/4 mile long and takes you through the lava flows with points of interest and descriptions of the wildlife, plants and the lava flow. Campgrounds were clean. The gazebos were about 50 feet from the RV site which is not ideal. There is water and electric on most sites. I gave it 4 stars due to the dump being closed and I didn’t see that anywhere on their reservation website. I recommend visiting in the colder months since there are flies in the hotter months. Thousands of tiny little flies flying into your ears, mouth and eyes which were are relentless. We had reservations for two nights but cut it short. That is how bad the little fruit flies were.

Beautiful scenery and stunning lava formations. There is a nice paved trail which about 3/4 mile long and takes you through the lava flows with points of interest and descriptions of the wildlife, plants and the lava flow. Campgrounds were clean. The gazebos were about 50 feet from the RV site which is not ideal. There is water and electric on most sites. I gave it 4 stars due to the dump being... Beautiful scenery and stunning lava formations. There is a nice paved trail which about 3/4 mile long and takes you through the lava flows with points of interest and descriptions of the wildlife, plants and the lava flow. Campgrounds were clean. The gazebos were about 50 feet from the RV site which is not ideal. There is water and electric on most sites. I gave it 4 stars due to the dump being closed and I didn’t see that anywhere on their reservation website. I recommend visiting in the colder months since there are flies in the hotter months. Thousands of tiny little flies flying into your ears, mouth and eyes which were are relentless. We had reservations for two nights but cut it short. That is how bad the little fruit flies were.

Nice little park right off 380 as you travel east/west across New Mexico. Easy in/out for big rigs but parking for big rigs is limited. The bookstore/visitor center has good info, helpful friendly staff, maps and souvenirs. There was a single, clean bathroom inside. The campsites have a covered Ramada, picnic table and grill. There are sites with pull throughs, electric and water. There’s a dump s... Nice little park right off 380 as you travel east/west across New Mexico. Easy in/out for big rigs but parking for big rigs is limited. The bookstore/visitor center has good info, helpful friendly staff, maps and souvenirs. There was a single, clean bathroom inside. The campsites have a covered Ramada, picnic table and grill. There are sites with pull throughs, electric and water. There’s a dump station available. The sites and road are paved but not all sites are level. The camping area is on a raised island overlooking the lava flow so it is windy. There’s no natural shade. But the views of the mountains, malpais and plains are gorgeous. I bet sunset and sunsets are amazing. This park is certainly close enough to visit the ski areas in the Lincoln NF, White Sands NP, and more. The interpretive trail is paved and 3/4 mile long and showcases many interesting features of the flows. The trail is ADA accessible but there are a couple cracks in the pavement. Dogs are welcome.

Nice little park right off 380 as you travel east/west across New Mexico. Easy in/out for big rigs but parking for big rigs is limited. The bookstore/visitor center has good info, helpful friendly staff, maps and souvenirs. There was a single, clean bathroom inside. The campsites have a covered Ramada, picnic table and grill. There are sites with pull throughs, electric and water. There’s a dump s... Nice little park right off 380 as you travel east/west across New Mexico. Easy in/out for big rigs but parking for big rigs is limited. The bookstore/visitor center has good info, helpful friendly staff, maps and souvenirs. There was a single, clean bathroom inside. The campsites have a covered Ramada, picnic table and grill. There are sites with pull throughs, electric and water. There’s a dump station available. The sites and road are paved but not all sites are level. The camping area is on a raised island overlooking the lava flow so it is windy. There’s no natural shade. But the views of the mountains, malpais and plains are gorgeous. I bet sunset and sunsets are amazing. This park is certainly close enough to visit the ski areas in the Lincoln NF, White Sands NP, and more. The interpretive trail is paved and 3/4 mile long and showcases many interesting features of the flows. The trail is ADA accessible but there are a couple cracks in the pavement. Dogs are welcome.