Valley of Fires Recreation Area

Morning in the Malpais
Interpretive Sign
Kipuka Trailhead
Group Shelter 2
Shower/Restroom

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

13 total sites

RV Sites

10 sites

Tent Sites

3 sites

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 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.    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.

Number of accommodations: 13

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
30 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 Site 12, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 Site 14, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 Site 15, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 Site 17, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 Site 18, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 Site 2, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
Site 20, Loop: Valley of Fires Tent
Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Site 22, Loop: Valley of Fires Tent
Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 Site 3, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 Site 5, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 Site 6, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 Site 9, Loop: Valley of Fires RV
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available

Reviews (692)

What Guests Are Saying

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.

Review Summary

4.5
692 reviews
5
69.1%
478
4
19.9%
138
3
5.5%
38
2
2.9%
20
1
2.6%
18

Stella C

Verified

March 23, 2026 Stayed at: Site 18, Loop: Valley of Fires

5

Terrific place!! Beautiful setting! The sunsets were amazing. The campsites were nicely spaced and equipped with shaded picnic tables, bbq and fire pit ( to use when allowed). The higher, less protected campsites can get pretty windy. We were fine in our camper, but would definitely want a lower elevation site for a tent.
Definitely walk the impressive nature trail and visit the bookstore.

Stella C

Verified

March 23, 2026 Stayed at: Site 18, Loop: Valley of Fires

5

Terrific place!! Beautiful setting! The sunsets were amazing. The campsites were nicely spaced and equipped with shaded picnic tables, bbq and fire pit ( to use when allowed). The higher, less protected campsites can get pretty windy. We were fine in our camper, but would definitely want a lower elevation site for a tent.
Definitely walk the impressive nature trail and visit the bookstore.

Anne C

Verified

March 22, 2026 Stayed at: Site 17, Loop: Valley of Fires

5

What a pleasant surprise. We spent 1 night here in site 17 (a pulll through, no hookup and listed as an unlevel site). Given the quite adequate size of the site we managed to get our van level in the site with our ramps. Views from our campsite were some of the most incredible we experienced on our southwestern trip. Large paved sites, wide spacing in between. There is a bathhouse which has showers and an accessible boardwalk trail about 1 mile long through the lava beds. Small visitors center on site with limited hours.

Anne C

Verified

March 22, 2026 Stayed at: Site 17, Loop: Valley of Fires

5

What a pleasant surprise. We spent 1 night here in site 17 (a pulll through, no hookup and listed as an unlevel site). Given the quite adequate size of the site we managed to get our van level in the site with our ramps. Views from our campsite were some of the most incredible we experienced on our southwestern trip. Large paved sites, wide spacing in between. There is a bathhouse which has showers and an accessible boardwalk trail about 1 mile long through the lava beds. Small visitors center on site with limited hours.

Donna c

Verified

March 21, 2026 Stayed at: Site 15, Loop: Valley of Fires

4

We like this park and visit at least once per year. My one complaint is that no show reservations are not park cancelled after the first day so sites can go unused. The park is getting more popular and it would also be nice to be able to cancel same day before noon. This would be really useful for the first come first served folks. Each day there were at least a few that had to leave due to no space and could have been used if someone had cancelled even if just a day.

Donna c

Verified

March 21, 2026 Stayed at: Site 15, Loop: Valley of Fires

4

We like this park and visit at least once per year. My one complaint is that no show reservations are not park cancelled after the first day so sites can go unused. The park is getting more popular and it would also be nice to be able to cancel same day before noon. This would be really useful for the first come first served folks. Each day there were at least a few that had to leave due to no space and could have been used if someone had cancelled even if just a day.

Kathleen C

Verified

March 15, 2026 Stayed at: Site 2, Loop: Valley of Fires

5

Only spent two nights but they were quiet, peaceful and oh the stars. Great place for a short stay.

Kathleen C

Verified

March 15, 2026 Stayed at: Site 2, Loop: Valley of Fires

5

Only spent two nights but they were quiet, peaceful and oh the stars. Great place for a short stay.

Jeremy M

Verified

March 9, 2026 Stayed at: Site 3, Loop: Valley of Fires

4

We enjoyed our time at Valley of Fires. Beautiful scenery in every direction. We were at Site #3 which is electric. Only drawback was our trashcan was full of trash and wasn't emptied the entire time we were there. Shower facilities were nice with hot water. Overall nice experience and great 3 day getaway for us.

Jeremy M

Verified

March 9, 2026 Stayed at: Site 3, Loop: Valley of Fires

4

We enjoyed our time at Valley of Fires. Beautiful scenery in every direction. We were at Site #3 which is electric. Only drawback was our trashcan was full of trash and wasn't emptied the entire time we were there. Shower facilities were nice with hot water. Overall nice experience and great 3 day getaway for us.

Location Valley of Fires Recreation Area

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

Highway access

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

Elevation: 1597 feet

Distance to downtown

3.8 mi drive to downtown Carrizozo (about 5 min)

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 7, 2026

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Managed by Bureau of Land Management