VALLEY OF FIRES RECREATION AREA, CARRIZOZO, NEW MEXICO

Our Opinion: A wonderful BLM campground in a scenic, historically and geologically interesting area. We highly recommend it for RV and tent camping.

Date of Stay: April 21st, 2008

Weather During Stay: Arrived in windy sunshine. Winds gusted to near 40 mph during stay. High in the mid-70’s, low in the 40’s. Very low humidity.

Sites: 18 developed RV sites, 12 with 30 amp E and W, 6 with W only at sites. Tent sites (half a dozen?) are in a separate area. All sites have large, sturdy picnic tables under a ramada on a concrete slab and a grill.

Most developed sites are large enough for big rigs, but many are too sloped for us. The back-in sites are the most level. Large, well maintained restrooms with showers. Dump station.

Rate: Usual rate for sites with electricity and water is $18 per night Half price discount with Golden Age Pass, so we paid $9/night. Reservations not accepted.

Phone/radio/TV: Good phone reception; aircard on Broadband, 5 bars. Unobstructed satellite reception in all sites. ABC available on antenna, probably more if you mess aroujnd with it. No NPR station.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Valley of Fires Recreation Area is on a high point (5,260') in a flat landscape with high mountains to the east and distant mountain views to the west. Terrain is rolling on the edge of a plain of ancient black lava dotted with plants and stubby trees. Great views in all directions from the campground.

Lighting: Dark as can be, except for those of us parked near the restroom - where two BRIGHT "streetlight" sized lights burned all night long!

Favorite Sites: We prefer the back in sites with E and W - they are much flatter than the pull-through sites. We were in site 9. The tent sites (No RV’s allowed) are in a lovely, lower area protected from the high winds.

Hiking/Walking: A ¾ mile paved “nature trail” with interpretive signs meanders through the lava bed from a trailhead in the campground. Another, less developed trail leaves from the south end of the campground into the lava.

Special Features: The lava bed here is very interesting, and the views are great. There is a small visitor center and bookstore on site. When we have the time, I want to explore the area. We drove over from the east through Lincoln and Capitan - both looked super-interesting.