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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.
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, barberry 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.
The recreation area has 19 campsites with picnic shelters, tables, grills, and potable water at each site. RV electric hookups are available at 14 sites. Two sites are wheel chair accessible. The full facility bathroom is fully accessible and has showers. Vault toilets are available throughout the park.
Four miles west of the Town of Carrizozo on US 380.
Tent Camping - $7.00
RV Camping (13 sites) with water & electric, $18.00, without water & electric, $12.00.
Dump Fee - $15.00
Group Shelter - group use, $25.00.
This park is absolutely rich in natural history and great for a quick hike along the paved trail OR a more arduous one along the unimproved path. Camping out here is a great experience as it is so quiet, and the showers and bathrooms are very clean and easy to get to. There is a pit toilet near the entrance as well. The book and gift shop is well-appointed, and the people are very friendly here. The air is so clean here, and the sunrises and sunsets are beautiful. The vegetation that grows among the lava rocks is varied, and there are some good signs along the trail that will help you identify them, as well as a nice brochure that you can get in the shop. I love this park because of the essence of the sheer energy that it took to create this lava field. I love imagining what life was like in this area at the time of the eruption.
Valley of Fire was amazing to explore. I didn’t get much time to go hiking, but getting to drive through the park was absolutely amazing. We got lucky and were there right at sunset, so the colors were beautiful
One of our favorite places we went to. Gorgeous views and extremely interesting and informative self guided tour. We spent a long time reading about and looking at the lava and this unique and very cool landscape. We would definitely want to camp here next time! The man at the front desk was very friendly and helpful! Highly recommend several hours here.
