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Capulin Volcano National Monument |
Description:
Capulin Volcano, a nearly perfectly-shaped cinder cone, stands more than 1200 feet above the surrounding High Plains of northeastern New Mexico. The volcano is long extinct, and today the forested slopes provide habitat for mule deer, wild turkey, black bear and other wildlife. Abundant displays of wildflowers bloom on the mountain each summer. A 2-mile paved road spiraling to the volcano rim makes Capulin Volcano one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world. Trails leading around the rim and to the bottom of the crater allow a rare opportunity to easily explore a volcano.
Capulin Volcano erupted approximately 60,000 years ago with firework-like "rooster tails" of glowing hot cinders that flew through the air. Lava that flowed from vents located at the volcano's flank covered almost 16 square miles. Although no longer a volcano in action, Capulin Volcano remains a dramatic testament to the volcanic processes that shaped northeastern New Mexico. Capulin Volcano National Monument was established in 1916 to preserve this striking example of a volcanic cinder cone.
Over 65,000 people visit a year. Twentyfive to thirty percent of annual visitation occurs in July. During the summer, weekday and/or early morning or late afternoon visits are encouraged to avoid peak crowds.
Designations:
National Monument (August 9, 1916)
Accessibility:
The Visitor Center, Nature Trail, and crater rim overlooks are accessible. The picnic area has accessible restrooms and picnic table. The video shown in the Visitor Center auditorium is captioned.
Getting Around:
The Volcano Road, which leads to the rim, is approximately two miles long. Trailers, towed vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians are prohibited because the road is narrow and has no shoulders. The road is closed after park hours. Snow, ice accumulation, and/or severe thunderstorms can also close the Volcano Road. Current road conditions are available by calling monument headquarters.
The Crater Rim Trail is one mile and the Crater Vent Trail is 0.2 miles. The Lava Flow Trail at the base of the volcano is one mile.
Strollers are not allowed on the Crater Rim and Crater Vent Trails. A child carrier backpack is available for loan at the Visitor Center. Buses must be escorted on the narrow Volcano Road.
Activites:
Auto_Touring | Educational Programs | Hiking | Wildlife Viewing | Bird Watching | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Picnic Areas | Museum Exhibits | Tours & Guided Activities | And more.
Nature: Volcanoes | And more.
Directions to Capulin Volcano National Monument
Plane:
Major airlines operate in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Amarillo. Albuquerque and Denver are approximately 270 miles from the monument. Colorado Springs and Amarillo are about 190 miles.
Car:
If traveling by car, the monument is located 33 miles east of Raton, NM, via US Highway 64/87 and 58 miles west of Clayton, NM, via the same highway. The park entrance is off New Mexico Highway 325, 3 miles north of the town of Capulin. Interstate 25 connects Raton with Denver, Colorado, from the north, and Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM, from the south.
Public Transportation
There is no commercial transportation available to the park.
Attractions:
Sugarite State Park
Clayton Lake State Park
Nearby Parks:
Fort Union National Monument (126 miles)
Pecos National Historical Park (180 miles)
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site (175 miles)
Bandelier National Monument (196 miles)
Mesa Verde National Park (347 miles)
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Contact Information for Capulin Volcano National Monument
Capulin Volcano National Monument
PO Box 40
Capulin, NM
88414
Phone: (505) 278-2201
Fax: 505-278-2211
Located in Capulin, NM
For more information on Capulin Volcano National Monument
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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New Mexico Road Maps (NM Maps)
New Mexico Photos