We recently stopped to explore Valley of Fires Recreation area, near Carrizozo, New Mexico. Although we didn’t camp there on our latest trip, we’ve spent the night in the campsite (shown above) a few years ago. This time it was just a bit too hot to stay there, so we moved on down the road and found a cooler spot in the Lincoln National Forest outside of Cloudcroft.
What Are The Malpais?
Around 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak, an ancient volcano, erupted nearby. The resulting lava flow eventually covered 125 square miles with 160 feet of lava. The gnarled, weathered lava field was dubbed the Malpais or “bad country’ by the early day Spanish explorers, who struggled to find a place to cross it as they explored the west. The Malpais is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in North America, and it looks much like some that you’ll see today in Hawaii.
Things to Do at Valley of Fires Recreation Area
There is no lake, river or mountains at Valley of Fires Recreation area. You won’t find many trees there, and it can get very hot for much of the year. Why then would you want to stop and and camp there you may ask? One of the biggest reasons is for the solitude and for the amazingly clear night skies. Another is for a chance to see one of the many rare creatures who call the Malpais lava flow their home. Stargazing here is some of the best you’ll find anywhere, with an average of 300 clear nights each year.
The animals who live there include bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barberry sheep, and several species of lizards. As for birds, it’s a great place for birdwatchers to catch a glimpse of a great horned owl or rare burrowing owls, as well as turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows and even the occasional golden eagle.
Another thing that makes this area so special is the sounds of all the desert creatures that you’ll hear – both day and night – across the vast expanse of the Malpais. The smells of creosote bush and sage fill the air, as birds, locust, cicadas and other desert insects strike up a symphony all around you.
The reason there is so much diversity of life at Valley of Fires Recreation area is the unique structure of the lava flow itself. The gnarled surface, with its many cracks, crevices, lava tubes and overhangs, provides safe homes for many species of wildlife.
- POWERFUL 15X MAGNIFICATION: With these giant astronomy binoculars, you get...
- INCLUDES TRIPOD ADAPTER: Stabilize your binocular for added comfort and...
- BRIGHT, SHARP VIEWS WITH BaK-4 PRISMS: The SkyMaster is a favorite among those...
- DURABLE AND WATER-RESISTANT: A rubber-armored housing protects your binoculars...
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a...
Nice Campsites at Valley of Fires Recreation Area
There are 19 campsites with picnic shelters, tables, grills, and potable water at each site. RV electric hookups are available at 14 of these sites. Having potable water at your campsite, way out in the desert, is a great luxury. There is a nice visitor center, where you can find guidebooks for the area, as well as learn about special events such as stargazing at Valley of Fires Recreation Area.
We took some video and flew the drone over the outskirts of the Recreation Area, which you can see below. This video (almost) shows how vast the Malpais lava flow really is.
Valley of Fires is Dog Friendly
Dogs are welcome at Valley of Fires Recreation area, provided they are kept on a leash at all times. There have been sightings of rattlesnakes in the campground, as can be expected in arid, rocky places like this. Daytime temperatures can cause the ground to get so hot here that it can burn dog’s foot pads, so be sure to check how hot the ground is before walking your dog. If you can’t hold your hand to the ground for more than five seconds, it’s far too hot for your dog’s feet!
We hope you will get the chance to visit this unique area someday. It’s well worth the trip!
For more info on Valley of Fires Recreation area, including fees and amenities, see the BLM Website.
For info on traveling with your dog, as well as how to keep them from getting lost, you can see our article here.
