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Home › New Mexico › Lava Flow Trail
About the Trail
The Lava Flow Trail is a 1 mile/1.6km loop that features views of the Capulin Volcano from below and a sweeping vista of the surrounding grasslands and mountains. The trail is part road and part narrow footpath with rocks. The trail can be accessed from the east side of the visitor center parking lot and from the picnic area up the park road.
Map
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Directions
From Raton, head east on Hwy 64/87 for 27 miles to the town of Capulin. Take a left on Hwy 325 and head north for 2.8 miles. Next, turn right and head to the visitor center in 0.5 miles. The parking lot on the side of the visitor center serves as the trailhead for the Lava Flow Trail. Additionally, access for this trail is also available at the picnic area which is 0.17 miles past the visitor center.
Description
From the visitor center parking lot, the trail descends on an old road to a junction. The trail on the left is where you will complete the loop if you hike the loop counterclockwise. Proceed straight on the old road to a sign that indicates a view point. After taking in the views, hike back to the road and continue down it until you see another sign. At this junction, proceed left on the narrow, rocky trail. The trail ascends slightly before reaching a spur that comes from the picnic area. Turn left and descend back to the first junction. Finally, take a right back to the visitor center parking lot.
| Hike Facts | Trailhead Facts | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥾 Trail Features: | Views, volcanic rocks | 🥾 Parking: | Large paved parking area | 🥾Nearest Services | Raton, New Mexico to the west and Clayton, New Mexico to the east. |
| 🥾 Milage: | 1 mi/1.6 km loop | 🥾 Acccess Road: | Paved | 🥾 Nearest Lodging: | There are lodging options in Raton, New Mexico and Clayton, New Mexico. |
| 🥾 Elevation Gain: | 100 ft/30.4 m | 🥾 Trailhead Features: | Visitor center and a large parking lot with 6 RV spots and 33 car spots. | 🥾 Nearest Camping: | There is a RV park in Capulin, New Mexico. |
| 🥾 Trail Use/Surface: | 🥾 Trailhead Elevation: | 7254 ft/2211 m | |||
| 🥾 Pets: | Prohibited on trails | 🥾 Park Hours: | 8:30 AM-4:30 PM/ Mountain Standard Time; 8:00AM-5:00PM in the summer months Memorial Day to Labor Day. | ||
| 🥾 Crowds: | Minimal | 🥾 Fee: | $20/Car,$15/Motorcycle and $10/On foot or by bike | ||
| 🥾 Bugs: | None | 🥾 Best Season: | All year |
Handicap Acccessibility
This hike is not handicap accessible, but those with some mobility could walk to the overlook as it follows a service road. The trail part of the loop is not recommended for those with disabilities.
Tips for a Great Hike
🥾 Bring water.
🥾 Bring a windbreaker as it is windy quite often, especially during the colder months.
🥾 If you start at the visitor center, you can hike to the overlook via the service road.
🥾 This loop can also be done from the picnic area.
🥾 Wear proper footwear.
Recommended Resources
nat monument website page link
nat monument hiking page link