Capulin Volcano National Monument
46 Volcano Highway, Capulin, NM
Capulin, NM
An extinct cinder cone rising from the grasslands of northeastern New Mexico, with a road that spirals to the rim and a trail that leads down into the crater.
On the grasslands of northeastern New Mexico, where the High Plains roll toward the Rocky Mountains, an almost perfectly shaped cinder cone rises from the flats. Capulin Volcano is the crown of a huge volcanic field, thousands of square miles studded with old cones and lava flows, and it is one of the few places where a road spirals right up to the rim of an extinct volcano and a trail leads down into its crater.
It is an unusually approachable volcano. From the visitor center a paved road climbs the outside of the cone in a tightening spiral to a parking area on the rim, where trails circle the crater and drop into its bowl. From the top, the view runs out over the plains and, on a clear day, is said to reach into four states, a grand reward for a short and easy trip.
What Guests Love
- Driving the spiral road right up to the rim of an extinct volcano
- Hiking the rim trail around the crater with views over the plains
- Walking down the trail into the volcano's crater itself
- Sweeping views said to reach into four states on a clear day
Worth Knowing
- The road to the rim is steep and winding, with tight curves and drop-offs, so drive slowly
- The rim sits at high elevation and can be windy and cold, so bring a jacket even in summer
- The rim and crater trails climb and descend on volcanic cinder, so wear sturdy shoes
- Summer afternoons bring lightning to this exposed high point, so watch the weather on the rim
Details
Capulin, NM
Learn about Capulin Volcano National Monument
A volcano on the plains
Capulin is a cinder cone, built up when a volcano erupted here tens of thousands of years ago, throwing out fountains of molten rock that fell as cinders and ash and piled into a steep, symmetrical cone. Lava also flowed from vents around its base, spreading across the surrounding land, so the whole area is a frozen record of that fiery episode.
The volcano is one of hundreds in the Raton-Clayton volcanic field, an enormous stretch of northeastern New Mexico where eruptions occurred over millions of years. Capulin is among the youngest and best-preserved cones, its shape barely softened by time, which is why it was set aside as a national monument and why it is so satisfying to visit.
The rim road and the trails
From the visitor center at the base, a paved road spirals up the outside of the cone in a series of tightening curves to a parking area on the crater rim. The drive itself is part of the fun, a steep, winding climb with widening views, and it means that even visitors who cannot hike far can reach the top of a volcano.
From the rim, a loop trail circles the entire crater, following the high edge of the cone with grand views in every direction, and a shorter, steeper trail drops down into the crater itself, ending near the vent from which the volcano once erupted. Walking down into a volcano is a rare and strangely peaceful experience, the bowl quiet and grassed over, the plains far below.
Views, wildlife, and dark skies
The view from Capulin's rim is enormous. The High Plains roll away in every direction, dotted with other old cones and cut by distant mesas, and on a clear day the horizon is said to take in parts of four states. Sunrise and sunset are especially fine, when low light rakes across the volcanic field and picks out the shapes of the ancient eruptions.
The cone and its grasslands support mule deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, and hawks and other raptors that ride the winds around the rim, while wildflowers color the slopes in the warm months. Far from any city, the monument also has very dark skies, and it hosts stargazing programs that make the most of the clear, high-plains nights.
Seasons and visiting
Spring and fall bring the mildest weather and the best light, with wildflowers in spring and golden grasses in autumn. Summer is warm on the plains but cooler and often windy on the rim, with afternoon thunderstorms that can send lightning to this exposed high point, so it pays to watch the sky. Winter is cold and can bring snow that closes the rim road.
A visit here is short and rewarding, an hour or two to drive the rim road and walk one of the trails, easily paired with the wider drive across northeastern New Mexico. Bring a jacket for the windy rim, sturdy shoes for the cinder trails, and time to simply stand on the edge of an extinct volcano and take in the sweep of the plains.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Capulin
Raton
About 30 miles, a 40 minute drive
A historic railroad town at the foot of Raton Pass, with a preserved downtown, a rail depot, and full services.
Folsom
About 12 miles, a 20 minute drive
A tiny village near the famous Folsom archaeological site, where ancient bison-hunting spearpoints reshaped American prehistory.
Sugarite Canyon State Park
About 40 miles, a 50 minute drive
A green mountain canyon of lakes, meadows, and old coal-camp ruins in the highlands above Raton.
Clayton Lake State Park
About 55 miles, a 1 hour drive
A plains reservoir famous for its exposed field of dinosaur trackways left in ancient shoreline mud.