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.




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.

Capulin Volcano National Monument
PO Box 40
Capulin, NM 88414
(505) 278-2201 - Visitor Information

By 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.

By 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.

By Plane
There is no commercial transportation available to the park.

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.

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.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Auto Touring
• Educational Programs
• Hiking
• Wildlife Viewing
• Bird Watching

Recommended Activities
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 .