Carrizozo Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area

Carrizozo Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area | New Mexico

The Carrizozo Lava Flow WSA is located in central New Mexico. This lava flow is believed to be one of the most recent lava flows in the continental United States, dating back 1,500 years. This is a flat plain but a rugged landscape nonetheless. The surface of the lava is extremely rough and broken by fractures, collapsed lava tubes, and pressure ridges. Sparse desert shrubs and grasses grow in the cracks providing an interesting contrast of green against the black lava. The area supports a remarkably diverse ecosystem, including melanistic species with fur or skin darker than is typical for their species since they live mostly on the dark lava. The landscape is difficult to traverse; consequently, the opportunity to find solitude is limitless.

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

Carrizozo Lava Flow WSA has no developed facilities. Wilderness Study Areas are considered for their unique wilderness characteristics, primitive recreation opportunities, solitude, and mostly undeveloped area.  As a result, this area does not have any facilities or interpretive signage to make the area easier to navigate.  There are no established trails and the areas consists overwhelmingly of broken volcanic rock that is extremely uneven and sharp. Visitors must be able to walk, climb, across the hot volcanic rock while exposed to the elements.  

Know Before You Go  

Fees 

  • None.  

Facilities  

  • There are no restrooms at the Carrizozo Lava Flow WSA.  

  • There is no potable water at the Carrizozo Lava Flow WSA. 

Nearby Amenities 

  • The nearest water, restrooms, and camping is 2.5 miles away at Valley of Fires Recreation Area via U.S. Route 380 East.   

  •  For more options travel 5 miles, to Carrizozo via U.S. Route 380 East.  

Seasons/Hours 

  •  Open year-round 

Special Rules  

  • No motorized vehicles are allowed in the WSA off of designated routes. 

  • Please pack out what you pack in, and practice Leave No Trace. 

  • Pets must be on a 6-foot leash. Pets on the lava rock are not recommended. 

BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS 

Wildlife in Area 

  • Bats 

  • Roadrunners 

  • Quail 

  • Mule deer 

  • Barbary sheep 

  • Lizards 

  • Hawks 

  • Gnat catchers 

  • Cactus wrens 

  • Golden eagles 

Contact Us

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Activities

Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph a person wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
BACKPACKING
Iconograph of a bird perched on a branch.
BIRDING
Iconograph of a tent
DISPERSED CAMPING
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PHOTOGRAPHY

Addresses

Roswell Field Office
2909 West Second Street
Roswell
New Mexico
88201

Geographic Coordinates

33.66297806, -105.9713967

Directions

Access is from Highway 380, 4.5 miles west of Carrizozo. There are several pullouts on U.S. 380 from which you may hike southwest into the WSA on the lava flow.

External Map

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/CarrizozoLavaFlow.pdf