Drive to the Top of Capulin Volcano
Capulin Volcano National Monument
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.
Take a drive up a historic road to the top of an extinct cinder cone volcano! The Volcano Road leading to the crater rim is approximately two miles long and takes 10 minutes to drive up. Trailers, towed vehicles, and vehicles over 26 feet in length are prohibited. Because the road has no shoulders, bicycyles and pedestrians are only permitted when the road is closed to vehicle traffic after park hours. Current road conditions are available by calling the monument at 575-278-2201. Once at the top of the volcano, choose to enjoy the view from the parking area or hike on some of the trails. The Crater Rim Trail is a steep, paved one mile loop around the rim of the volcano with fantastic views. Signs provide visitors with information about the surrounding features in the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. The Crater Vent Trail is a 0.2 mile (one-way) steep, paved trail leading to the bottom of Capulin Volcano's crater. No pets are allowed on either of these trails, though they are welcome on a leash in the parking area.
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30-120 Minutes
The drive up to the top of the volcano takes about 10 minutes. Once at the top you can spend as much or as little time as you want either enjoying the views or hiking the trails.
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Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
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Service animals are welcome on all trails and roads. The drive up to the top of the volcano is fully accessible to all vehicles under 26 feet in length, and there is a handicap parking space in the parking area at the top of the volcano. The parking area is a flat paved area with a small ramp to a sidewalk that accesses signs about the view and accessible restrooms. The sidewalk has a 3 foot tall retaining wall around the perimeter for safety. The Crater Rim Trail is a roughly paved 1 mile loop trail around rim of the crater that is around 3 feet wide and begins and ends with a short staircase. The grade of the trail is 12% in some places with 300 feet of elevation change from the parking area. The Crater Vent Trail is a roughly paved quarter mile one way trail down into the bottom of the crater that is around 3 feet wide and begins and ends with a short staircase. There is around 100 feet of elevation change along this trail from the parking area.
Yes — Pets are allowed on a leash in the parking area at the top of the volcano. They are not allowed on the Crater Vent Trail or the Crater Rim Trail. Both trails are paved with a material that absorbs the sun's heat and can burn their paws.
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All ages are welcome. Take into account the high elevation of the road - 7,300 to 8182 feet elevation (2,225 to 2,494 meters) - when driving up or hiking at the top of the volcano.
Top of Volcano Road
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