Capulin Volcano National Monument

Just yesterday, on the clock of geological time, the scene at Capulin Volcano would have been one of fire, ash, glowing lava, and ear shattering explosions, for Capulin Volcano is the cone of a volcano that was active only about 10,000 years ago. This volcano represents the last stage of a great period of volcanism that had begun about 2 million years earlier. Evidence of this activity can be seen in the scores of nearby volcanic hills and peaks. The largest of these is Sierra Grande, an extinct volcano rising some 2,200 feet above the surrounding plain, about 10 miles to the southeast. To the northeast of Capulin are a number of mesas that are capped with lava, the three largest of which are Barilla, Raton, and Johnson mesas.

In this great volcanic arena, lava erupted in three flows, each separated by long periods of inactivity. The last series of eruptions created Capulin Volcano, whose conical form rises more than 1,000 feet above its base to 8,182 feet above sea level. The mountain consists chiefly of loose cinders, ash, and other rock debris. These materials were spewed out by successive eruptions and fell back upon the vent, piling up to form the conical mound.

The symmetry of Capulin Volcano was preserved because lava did not flow from the main crater but from secondary vents located at the western base of the cone, After the eruptions ceased, vegetation gained a foothold on the steep, unstable slopes and, in time, the mountain became stabilized as dense root growth and the forces of nature changed the volcanic matter into soil. The great variety and abundance of vegetation on the mountain today lends it a special beauty. The volcano is part grassland and part forest, consisting of pinyon pine, ponderosa pine, and juniper. Throughout the park, shrubs such as mountain mahogany, chokecherry, Gambel oak, and squawbush are also found. Legend has it that the mountain was named "capulin" (Cah-poo-LEEN) after the Spanish word for chokecherry. By walking Capulin's trails, you can become acquainted with the plant and animal life. Besides the flora and fauna, on a clear day you can see four states from the highest point on the Crater Rim Trail.

What the future holds for Capulin is uncertain, for scientists classify any volcano fewer than 25,000 years old as geologically recent and potentially active. Whether Capulin Volcano will revert to its old ways and erupt again is unknown.

A Walk into a Volcano
Have you ever wanted to walk into a volcano? Capulin 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-guiding trails begin. One trail, 0.2 mile long, goes to the vent at the bottom of the crater and gives you an unusual 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 southeast where the Cimarron Cut-Off of the Santa Fe Trail passed. During the late 19th century, wagon trains bound for Ft. Union traveled past the volcano from the northeast over the Granada-Ft. Union military route. The view westward is particularly magnificent. The majestic, snowcapped 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.

Near Capulin Volcano is the famous Folsom Man site-located on private land and closed to the public. This is where artifacts of prehistoric humans were first found in association with the fossilized bones of extinct animals. The site was excavated in 1928 and 1929 by the Denver Museum of Natural History.

Getting to the Monument
Capulin Volcano National Monument is located in extreme northeastern New Mexico. Entrance to the park is from N. Mex. 325, 3 miles north of the town of Capulin. Capulin is 58 miles west of Clayton on U.S. 64 and 87, and 30 miles east of Raton and I-25.

The park is open and accessible year round. The road to the summit, however, may be closed for a few days each winter by snow.

From the ground it is hard to see the area covered by lava flows, which extends far beyond the park boundary. To get an idea of its size, remember that the park contains about 790 acres, an area just slightly larger than one square mile.

General Park Information
Your first stop should be at the visitor center 0.6 mile from the park entrance. Here you can learn of the immense power of volcanoes from the audiovisual program on eruptions similar to those that created Capulin Volcano. Park personnel are available to answer your questions about volcanoes and the area.

Restrooms in the visitor center, as well as a 200-foot trail behind the visitor center with plaques describing plants and volcanic phenomena, are fully accessible to disabled persons. At the western base of the volcano, just beyond the visitor center, you will find water and modern restrooms in the picnic area. Food and beverages are available in Capulin, Folsom, Des Moines, and Raton. Campgrounds are located in Capulin, Folsom, Raton, and Clayton. Overnight accommodations can be found in Des Moines, Raton, and Clayton, N. Max., and in Trinidad, Colo.

Besides the lure of the volcanic cone, plant and animal life of the high plains and mesa offer dazzling seasonal shows that will enhance your visit here. During late spring and early summer, depending on the rainfall, wildflowers present a colorful mosaic among the cinders and other vegetation. Prominent in the wildflower display are coneflowers, lupin, golden pea, paintbrush, penstemon, verbena, and sunflower.

For the birdwatcher, spring brings a variety of songbirds: warblers, black-headed grosbeaks, bluebirds, chipping sparrows, gold finches, and other species. Their songs fill the air at dawn and dusk.

Regulation and Safety : Please check with Monument personnel prior to or at the beginning of your visit to learn about park regulation and safety tips!

Hours of Operation: Vary seasonally; open daily year around (weather permitting) except some Holidays. PLEASE CALL AHEAD FOR CURRENT HOURS and road conditions. Due to the nature of the park road the park requires all drivers to check in at the Visitor Center before proceeding up the volcano.

Entrace Fee and Accessibility: $4.00 per vehicle (as of 1995) allows drive to the Crater Rim and access to the Picnic Area. Commercial tour fees and other fee schedules available upon request. The 400 ft. Nature Trail at the Visitor Center is open daily, dawn to dusk; it is wheelchair accessible. Two picnic tables and the restrooms in the picnic area are wheelchair accessible. Neither trail on the crater is wheelchair accessible due to grade and pavement surface.

Time Required to Visit the Monument : Allow up to 2 hours to enjoy the park and Visitor Center exhibits and film; longer if you choose to picnic.

Camping, fishing, boating & hiking : at Clayton Lake State Park (12 miles north of Clayton, New Mexico: tel. 505 374-8808 and Sugarite Canyon State Park 5 miles north of Raton, New Mexico: tel. 505-445-5607.

Weather : Capulin Volcano is situated at 7,200 feet above sea level, on the High Plains of northeastern New Mexico. Spring and fall are very windy and dry; summer thunderstorms are a daily occurrence. Winter driving conditions can be hazardous. Please heed weather forecasts when planning your visit.

Other Internet Resources
New Mexico's Capulin National Monument: Under the volcano with Folsom Man - Thousands of years ago, early inhabitants of New Mexico's northeastern plains lived amid the fire and thunder of erupting volcanoes. Article from Cyberwest Magazine.

P.O. Box 40
Capulin, New Mexico 88414
(505) 278-2201