Capulin Volcano National Monument

Capulin Volcano National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in New Mexico.

In the park service’s words

Part of the 8,000 square mile Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field, Capulin Volcano showcases the volcanic geology of northeastern New Mexico. The views are spectacular day or night, with views of 4 different states from the volcanic rim and one of the darkest night skies in the country. Whether it's a quick stop or a day's trip, enjoy exploring the landscape of this unique volcano!

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• View the Night Sky at Capulin Volcano (30 to 120 Minutes): View the night sky at a volcano! Capulin Volcano National Monument is a International Dark Sky Place, which means thousands of stars are visible in the night sky. On Saturday evenings during the summer, rangers conduct dark sky programs here.
• Drive to the Top of Capulin Volcano (30 to 120 Minutes): Drive to the top of an extinct cinder cone volcano on a historic road. Once at the top you can enjoy the views from the parking area or hike trails down into the crater of the volcano or around the rim of the crater.
• Explore the Visitor Center at Capulin Volcano (5 to 30 Minutes): Learn more about volcanoes and Capulin's eruption by exploring the exhibits in the visitor center.
• Hike Trails at the Base of Capulin Volcano (10 to 180 Minutes): The trails at the base of Capulin Volcano are less traveled and quieter than the ones on the top and offer a different view of the volcanic geology here.
• Become a Junior Ranger at Capulin Volcano (20 to 45 Minutes): Learn about volcanoes, geology, and the history of Capulin Volcano while completing the Junior Ranger Program! Once you've finished the number of activities required for your age, turn the booklet in at the visitor center to earn a Junior Ranger badge or patch.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, 8:30AM - 4:00PM. Volcano Road Vehicle Access is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pedestrians and Bicycles are allowed on volcano road after 4:30.

Getting there

Capulin Volcano National Monument is located in northeast New Mexico. The monument is located 33 miles east of Raton, NM, and 57 miles west of Clayton, NM on NM325 3 miles north of US64. No public transportation systems serve the park.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Capulin Volcano Visitor Center: Daily, 8:30AM - 4:30PM. The Visitor Center and Volcano Road is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The Monument is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Weather

Elevations range from 7247 feet at the park visitor center to 8182 feet on the crater rim trail. Summers usually have mild temperatures with highs averaging in the low to mid 80s F/30C with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Winters average from 40F/5C to 50F/10C, but temperatures vary. Snowfall is most common from December into April and may cause temporary closures of the volcano road. Sunny winter days are beautiful days to be in the park. Check weather conditions before visiting.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Great Sand Dunes, about 107 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Capulin Volcano National Monument (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.