Capulin Volcano
National Monument

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.

VISITATION:

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.

LOCATION:

Capulin, New Mexico

ADDRESS:

Capulin Volcano National Monument
P.O. Box 40
Capulin, New Mexico 88414

TELEPHONE:

(505) 278-2201

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day.
Winter hours (Labor Day to Memorial Day): 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Summer hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day): 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
The Volcano Road is closed after park hours except on Friday and Saturday nights during June, July, and August when it remains open until sunset.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Elevations in the park range from approximately 7,000 feet to 8,182 feet on the crater rim. Summers are mild (highs in the mid-80s). Thunderstorms are common in July and August. Winters are cold, and blizzards may result in temporary park closures. Light jackets may be needed during the summer, and warm and layered clothing should be worn the rest of the year.

DIRECTIONS:

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.

TRANSPORTATION:

There is no commercial transportation available to the park. 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.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

Entrance fee is $4.00 per private vehicle, and $2.00 per person on motorcycles. Call the Monument for commercial fee rates. Educational groups may apply for a waiver of park fees by writing the Superintendent prior to park visit. Fee waivers cannot be approved on site.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:

The visitor center contains exhibits about geology, natural history and human history of Capulin Volcano. A ten-minute video shown in the Visitor Center auditorium details the story of Capulin's eruption and the surrounding Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. A short Nature Trail is adjacent to the Visitor Center.

Roads/Trails:

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.

Programs/Activities:

During the summer, 15-minute ranger programs are offered several times each day. Children six to twelve years of age may participate in the Junior Ranger program, an activity book that takes most children two to three hours to complete. Younger children may participate in the Lady Bug Hunt, a non-collecting scavenger hunt.

15-minute orientation talks are provided to all visiting K-12 educational groups .

Lodging and camping facilities:

None in park. Facilities available in the town of Capulin (camping), three miles south of the park; Des Moines (lodging), 13 miles east, Clayton, 58 miles east, and Raton, 33 miles west of the park. Camping is also available at Sugarite Canyon State Park near Raton, and Clayton Lake State Park, 12 miles north of Clayton.

Food/supplies:

None available in park. The closest facilities are located in the towns of Capulin, three miles south of park, and Des Moines, thirteen miles east.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

A sales outlet, operated by Southwest Parks and Monuments Association, is located in the Visitor Center. Publications on geology, natural history, cultural history, and a wide selection of children's books are for sale.

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.

Special Needs:

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.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Drive the two-mile Volcano Road to the crater rim. Hike the one-mile Crater Rim Trail and the 0.2-mile Crater Vent Trail. Watch the ten-minute video and view the exhibits in the Visitor Center. During the summer, attend a 15-minute volcano talk.

A picnic area and the one-mile Lava Flow Trail are located near the base of the volcano.

Peak wildflower season is in late June and July. Ladybugs may be seen in swarms on the crater rim during the summer. The rim offers outstanding views of the surrounding countryside, numerous other volcanoes, and four states.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

School, scout, and other visiting groups may request a ranger program by reservation. Call, email or write prior to a park visit to schedule an educational program. Fifteen-minute orientation talks are provided for all K-12 educational groups who visit the Monument.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

One to three hours to drive the Volcano Road, hike the trails, and explore the Visitor Center.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

National Park Week is during the last week in April.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Heavy visitation on weekends during the summer may result in short waits to drive the Volcano Road. Plan weekday, and/or early morning or late afternoon visits in July to avoid peak crowds.

Illegal rock collecting is severely impacting the Monument. Collection of rocks and other natural objects within park boundaries is prohibited.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Camping, fishing, and hiking are available at Sugarite State Park, Clayton Lake State Park, Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, and in Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands, 505-374-9652. Exhibits on the history of northeastern New Mexico can be found at the Folsom Museum, (open only during the summer) 505-278-3616, and the Raton Historical Museum. Fort Union National Monument is located approximately 126 miles southwest of the Monument.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Visit the Capulin Volcano Geology Website

Write to the park superintendent for more information at:
Capulin Volcano National Monument,
P.O. Box 40,
Capulin, New Mexico 88414
or call (505) 278-2201.

 

Last Updated:Thursday, 05-Aug-99 11:45:59
http://www.nps.gov/cavo/