Valley of Fires Recreation Area

Valley of Fires Recreation Area

“Valley of Fires Recreation Area is beside the Malpais Lava Flow. About 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States.” Despite its barren appearance from distance, you will find a wealth of plants and wildlife.
Here is the Area website.    Phone  575-648-2241 or 575-840-6243
 Described in Americansouthwest.net 
Malpais Nature Trail  “….when you walk through the nature trail there are many varieties of flowers, cactus, trees and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. There is a juniper that is said to be 400 years old. The lava is similar to Hawaiian lava, jagged and rippled, and most of the lava field is a wilderness study area. The self-guided …. Trail is paved for 1 /3 mile, fully accessible for individuals with disabilities. Interpretive brochures are available at the trailhead near the group shelter. In addition to the flora, fauna abound. There are bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails,lizards, great horned owls, burrowing owls, buzzards, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows and golden eagles, a virtual birdwatcher’s paradise.”