Valley of Fires Recreation Area

6158 U.S. Highway 380, Carrizozo, New Mexico, United States
Check Availability
Morning in the Malpais
Interpretive Sign
Kipuka Trailhead
Group Shelter 2
Shower/Restroom

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers
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About Valley of Fires Recreation Area

Valley of Fires recreation area is located immediately adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 mi into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 ft thick and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States.    The Bureau of Land Management maintains and manages the Valley of Fires Recreation area, which is located four miles west of Carrizozo, NM, on US Highway 380. Valley of Fires offers both camping and day use. 13 of the campsites have 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups and water hookups, all sites have picnic shelters, tables, trashcans and barbeque grills. Two of the RV sites are accessible, as are the restrooms. Showers are provided in the main restroom/shower house. An RV dump station is also available. Two group shelters are accessible and available for rental. The 3/4-mile Malpais Nature Trail offers a close-up look of the lava surface.

Available sites

13 total sites
RV Sites 10 sites Check Availability Tent Sites 3 sites Check Availability

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Showers Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Showers
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

13 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ Group Shelter 2, Loop: Valley of Fires Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
🚐 Site 12, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 Site 14, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Pull-through
🚐 Site 15, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 Site 17, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Pull-through
🚐 Site 18, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 Site 2, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
⛺ Site 20, Loop: Valley of Fires Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ Site 22, Loop: Valley of Fires Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
🚐 Site 3, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 Site 5, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 Site 6, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 Site 9, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved

Reviews

731 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Valley of Fires Recreation Area offers a unique and beautiful setting with well-maintained campsites, stunning views of lava flows and mountains, and clean facilities including hot showers. Reviewers praised the cleanliness of the park, the helpful camp host, and the informative trails. Some concerns were raised about restroom accessibility and site leveling, but overall, visitors expressed a strong desire to return and explore this tranquil location further.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 731 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 69.8% (510)
4 stars 19.7% (144)
3 stars 5.2% (38)
2 stars 2.7% (20)
1 star 2.6% (19)

Showing 731 reviews

Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

Donna S

Verified

October 2, 2026 Stayed at: Site 6, Loop: Valley of Fires

what an unbelievable expected jewel all site good & taken care of. Host very attentive Only disappointment was visitor center was not open while we were there Said open but no one there

Helpful

bucke p

Verified

September 29, 2026 Stayed at: Site 20, Loop: Valley of Fires

The camp host was great and kept the bathrooms etc... in great condition.

Helpful

Virginia W

Verified

September 14, 2026 Stayed at: Site 20, Loop: Valley of Fires

Caretaker was wonderful.
Love this place for its beauty and for the way the campsites are spread out.

Helpful

Robin K

September 10, 2026

Well run - great staff.

Helpful

Randall M

Verified

September 5, 2026 Stayed at: Site 9, Loop: Valley of Fires

Lost power 15 minutes after setup in 104 degree weather. Host could not provide estimated time to restore power. With another 8 hour drive the next day, we decided to leave and find a park with power. Now recreation.gov does not want to reimburse us. They say we abandoned the site. I don't think so. Very dissatisfied with their response.

Helpful

Steve C

Verified

September 2, 2026 Stayed at: Site 5, Loop: Valley of Fires

I had been told about the Valley of Fires recreation area, but the experience was greater than I imagined. It is a beautiful and impressive area. The camping area was immaculate and very easy to get to. Although they say some of the sites are very unlevel, my 40 ft class A did not have an issue. Unfortunately, the bookstore/visitor center was closed while I was there. Other than that a fabulous place!

Helpful

Eva M

Verified

August 12, 2026 Stayed at: Site 5, Loop: Valley of Fires

Aside from the fact that it was extremely hot our experience at Valley of Fire was great. We arrived early in the day and were able to snag a prime spot that was almost level and had a great view. The camp host came by and welcomed us and let us know he was available if we needed anything. Restrooms and showers were spotless and the dump station is easily accessible. We really liked the fact that the camp has reservation sites and first come first serve sites. Plus the reservation sites become first come first serve if no reservation was made. This flexibility makes it very nice for last minute plans. I highly recommend visiting in cooler weather to be able to enjoy the walking path and outdoor activities.

Helpful

Donald H

Verified

August 7, 2026 Stayed at: Site 6, Loop: Valley of Fires

Only stayed one night and it was very relaxing and quiet. Planning on staying longer next time.

Helpful

Chris H

Verified

August 6, 2026 Stayed at: Site 6, Loop: Valley of Fires

Sites are not very level but, that was not hard to overcome. Overall the facilities are very good, the host was very approachable and friendly. The walking trail has been improved since I was last there, I wondered if it is going to be redone the entire way or not.
Would return to see it again.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Valley of Fires Recreation Area

6158 U.S. Highway 380, Carrizozo, NM 88301 United States

Elevation: 1,597 ft

Getting There

Travel four miles west of the town of Carrizozo on U.S. Highway 380. Valley of Fires recreation area is on the left.

Nearest town

Carrizozo, NM - 3.8 mi

About 5 min to downtown

Highway access

Valley of Fires Recreation Area is accessible via U.S. Highway 380, located four miles west of Carrizozo, NM.

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

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Carrizozo

4 mi away

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15 mi away

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Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Population: 854

Elevation: 5,420 ft

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