Valley of Fire Recreation Area

Valley of Fire is a BLM park located on Hwy 380 west of Carrizzo, New Mexico. The park is located on a Kipuka (a large lava island) and is adjacent to a huge lava field known as the Malpais (a Spanish word for bad land) We toured the area but didn't camp here.
However, if you are going to this part of New Mexico, you might want to stop in for a night or two. The park has electric/water sites, as well as, tent sites that overlook the lava field. A RV dump is conveniently located in the park. The bathhouse is spotless and roomy.  The only thing we didn't like was the wind, but we are learning that in the Springtime wind is consistent in New Mexico.

The Malpais Lava Flow is thought to be the youngest formation in the USA. This lava field was made by lava spewing from several vents located several miles away. It covers over 125 square miles, over 160 feet deep at the center and is 4 to 6 miles wide.  

We enjoyed walking the Malpais Nature Trail which winds through the lava field for 3/4 of a mile. The trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. There are a few trails that cut off the main trail that are not paved. These trails guide you over the extremely rough and bumpy lava. We decided to stay on the trail. Where we saw several labeled markers that described the lava formations, plants, and wildlife in the lava field.

In the far right of this pic, you can see the volcano vent. In the fore ground you can see the trail through the lava field.

One marker pointed out this lava rock. It described how air got trapped in the lava and when it cooled it made these neat holes called bubbles.

We also learned that lava can form ropes called pahoehoe (a Hawaiian term).

It was interesting to see how the lava field was now home to cacti, trees, and wildlife. Jeff's foot was 6 inches away from stepping on some of the wildlife.

This Diamond Back Rattlesnake was lying on the trail next to the curb. When Jeff rounded the curve, he said that he heard something but didn't realize that it was a snake. Then, he heard the snake rattle again. He stopped with his left foot 6 inches from the snake. He backed up slowly, nudged the snake with his trekking pole and the snake slithered off. When the snake was off the trail, I was able to snap a photo.

 This is why JEFF always leads our hikes.

Not only do Rattlesnakes make their home here, but Tarantulas burrow around the huge lava rocks, bats hang in the cracks between the lava caves and Pocket mice scurry all around looking for food.

If we return this part of New Mexico, we would consider calling Valley of Fire our home for a few weeks. It is an interesting, clean and beautiful BLM park.