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Capulin Volcano National Monument

Capulin, NM

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.

CONTACTS

Email - CAVO_Superintendent@nps.gov

Fax- 505-278-2211

Write to
Capulin Volcano National Monument
PO Box 40
Capulin, NM 88414

Phone
Visitor Information - (505) 278-2201

TRAVEL BASICS

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 July and August when it remains open until sunset.

Getting There
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.

Weather & Climate
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.

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.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
EDUCATIONAL GROUPS
$Fee Waiver for One Time
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.

PER PERSON/MOTORCYCLE
$3.00 for 7 Days

PER PRIVATE VEHICLE
$5.00 for 7 Days

Local Passport
CAPULIN VOLCANO NM AND FT. UNION NM PASS
$10 for Annual
Pass Valid for entrance at Capulin Volcano National Monument and Fort Union National Monument . Valid for 12 months beginning with issue month.

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
CAPULIN VOLCANO VISITOR CENTER
Location - 0.6 mile past the Monument entrance
Closures - 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.
Special Programs - National Park Week is during the last week in April.
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.
Available Facilities - 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.

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