Capulin Volcano National Monument - New Mexico

Address:Capulin, New Mexico
Tel: (505) 278-2201

Easy and moderate climbs into the belly of this former lava-spewing beast are the most thrilling features of Capulin Volcano National Park. The Volcano Road, which leads to the rim, is approximately two miles long. The Crater Rim Trail is one mile long and the Crater Vent Trail is just 0.2 miles long, making it feasible for even the youngest of visitors to take part in the wonder of the volcano. If that's not enough volcano for you, there are somewhere in the vicinity of 100 other volcanoes in very close proximity to Capulin.
In addition to the sheer thrill of journeying into the actual mouth of a cinder cone volcano, visitors will enjoy wildlife observation, stunning views, and scenic drives. You can picnic in the park, but you can't cam out.

Mammoths, giant bison, and short-faced bears were witness to the first tremblings of the earth and firework-like explosions of molten rock thousands of feet into the air. Approximately 60,000 years ago, the rain of cooling cinders and four lava flows formed Capulin Volcano, a nearly perfectly-shaped cinder cone, rising more than 1000 feet above the surrounding landscape. Although long extinct, Capulin Volcano is dramatic evidence of the volcanic processes that shaped northeastern New Mexico. Today the pine forested volcano provide habitat for mule deer, wild turkey, and black bear.