Lava, Lava Everywhere...

 

Valley of Fire Lava Field

  This makes our third time to the Valley of Fires Recreation Area just West of Carrizozo, NM. A most amazing BLM Recreational Area and a quite young formation... geologically speaking.

VoF Lava Field

  Covering an area of 125 square miles in a 160-foot-thick lava flow, 4-6 miles wide and some 44 miles long. The flow was from the Little Black Pearl volcano 30 miles Northwest of the Campgrounds. Lava as far as the eye can see. The lava field was formed around 5,000 years ago when an eruption filled the Tularosa Basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is one of the youngest flows in the continental United States.

  As campgrounds go, this one puts you right in the middle of the attraction and sites are within 50' of the lava field.

 The 3/4-mile Malpais Nature trail (starting at the Group Shelter near site #5) offers a unique opportunity to get right out into the lava field, via an accessible paved path, where you might encounter flora and fauna native to the Chihuahuan Desert. 

  We really like this campground... they accommodate large rigs, proved water and electric service (dump station). There are several large, pull-through sites. If you have one of the 'America the Beautiful' passes the daily rate is half the posted fee.

 

Views From the Nature Trail

Little Black Pearl Volcano

Fair warning... it is New Mexico so high winds are to be expected daily. Thunderstorms pop up occasionally and can be very strong. Solar heating of the 125 sq.mile coal black lava field adds to the strength of the 'breeze'... Sunsets are spectacular !

"Re-examine All You Have Been Told. Dismiss That Which Insults Your Soul"  - Whitman