The Capulin volcano is 60,000 year old and stands 1000 ft high above a valley that it covered with lava. It’s amazing to stand on the top of something that created so much destruction. Since there isn’t much around it, the view from the top is breathtaking. You can see more volcanoes in the distance and imagine what this area would have looked like, covered in lava.
Capulin Volcano is a cinder cone volcano. With a mile wide crater, it’s still considered a small volcano. but it’s the only volcano in the area that still has a visible crater! Capulin erupted only once about sixty thousand years ago but the eruption lasted over several decades. In the beginning, this volcano had a high volatile content which creates a lot of explosions as the volcano is erupting. The explosions cause debris to go flying into the air. When they eventually fall back down to earth, they accumulate at the mouth of the volcano. As the debris builds up, it creates a steep coned volcano. Even though this volcano erupted for decades, it was only highly volatile in the beginning.
Since this volcano is part of the Cayton/Raton volcanic field. The lava that flowed out of these volcanoes is called Basalt Lava. It’s extremely thin and flows kind of like a thick syrup. Which in the end, is why lava flowed out of this volcano for such a long time after the initial explosive eruptions. On August 9, 1916, it was designated as Capulin Volcano National Monument so that everyone could enjoy it.
| Monday – Sunday | 8:00 am- 4:30 pm |
Admission
$15 per passenger vehicle. The pass is good for 1 week.
Bring good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water. Pets are not allowed here, please leave them at home and not in the car. There is a gift shop that sells water and snacks but there is no food service onsite. However you can always bring one and use the picnic tables. Restrooms are located in the visitors center or by the parking area.
Capulin Volcano National Monument
44 Volcano Rd
Capulin, NM 88414
Take I25 to Raton and take Exit 451. Take US-64 E/US-87 S towards Clayton/Raton. Turn left onto NM-325N. Destination is on your right.
The closest accommodations are in Raton, New Mexico. My link will search through all the online sites to find you the best price available. By purchasing your trip through my link, this site will earn a small commission on your purchase. Rest assured that it will not cost you anything extra! In Fact, the only difference is that this site will earn a commission instead of another booking site. Thank your sponsorship!
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