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Capulín Volcano National Monument
Have you ever wanted to walk into a volcano? Capulín Volcano is one of the few places in the world where you can do that. A 2-mile road spirals to the summit, ending at a parking area where two self-guided trails begin. One trail, 0.2 miles long, goes to the vent at the bottom of the crater and gives you an opportunity to see the inside of a volcano. The second is the Crater Rim Trail, one mile long, a self-guiding path that encircles the rim. This trail begins with a moderate climb. Once on the rim you will find the going fairly easy until you begin the descent to the parking lot. From the trail you can look to the southwest where the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail passed. During the late 19th century, wagon trains bound for Fort Union traveled past the volcano from the northeast over the Fort Union-Granada Road. The view westward is particularly magnificent. The majestic, snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains form a mighty backdrop to the wide expanse of rangeland, broken by volcanic hills and mesas. Be sure to hike both trails. It's not often that you can walk so brazenly in a volcano.
Mammoths, giant bison, and short-faced bears traversed this territory around the time the volcano was formed. Today the pine forested volcano provide habitat for mule deer, wild turkey, and black bear. Follow the two-mile road to the rim for spectacular views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.
Capulín Volcano National Monument
Superintendent P.O. Box 40
Capulín, NM
Phone: (505) 278-2201
www.nps.gov/cavo/
