Capulin Volcano National Monument

New Mexico

LoginSave

A 60,000-year-old cinder cone, Capulin is the most accessible of numerous extinct volcanoes in the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field, which covers a whopping 8000 sq miles and began activity some 9 million years ago. From the visitor center, a 2-mile road spirals 1300ft up the mountain to the crater rim (8182ft), where trails lead around and into the crater; views are superb. The entrance is 3 miles north of Capulin town, 30 miles east of Raton on Hwy 87.

At the base are two other trails: the Lava Flow and Boca. The Boca (mouth) is where the lava actually emerged; consequently this trail has the most variety of volcanic terrain. There is no camping on-site.

Debit or credit card only for entrance fee.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Folsom Museum

    Folsom Museum

    5.28 MILES

    This whimsical general store holds an eclectic collection of items related to local history (though no actual artifacts from Folsom Man). Not a…

  • Shuler Theater

    Shuler Theater

    27.19 MILES

    Still used for performances, this downtown theater dates from 1915, and has an elaborate European rococo interior. The murals gracing its foyer, depicting…

  • International Bank

    International Bank

    27.2 MILES

    Now a bank, this downtown landmark was originally built in 1929 as the Swastika Hotel. Note the reversed swastika signs (a Hindu symbol of good luck) on…

  • Raton Museum

    Raton Museum

    27.2 MILES

    Housed in the 1906 Coors Building, the great little Raton Museum features displays of fading photos, artifacts from Raton’s mining days, and historical…

View more attractions

Nearby New Mexico attractions

1. Folsom Museum

5.28 MILES

This whimsical general store holds an eclectic collection of items related to local history (though no actual artifacts from Folsom Man). Not a…

2. Shuler Theater

27.19 MILES

Still used for performances, this downtown theater dates from 1915, and has an elaborate European rococo interior. The murals gracing its foyer, depicting…

3. International Bank

27.2 MILES

Now a bank, this downtown landmark was originally built in 1929 as the Swastika Hotel. Note the reversed swastika signs (a Hindu symbol of good luck) on…

4. Raton Museum

27.2 MILES

Housed in the 1906 Coors Building, the great little Raton Museum features displays of fading photos, artifacts from Raton’s mining days, and historical…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/new-mexico/raton/attractions/capulin-volcano-national-monument/a/poi-sig/1130362/1314530",
  "destination": "New-Mexico",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "country": "USA",
  "region": "New-Mexico",
  "position": "superzone"
}