Valley Of Fires Recreation Area
Valley of Fires — riverside, hiking
Location: Roswell, NM, NM
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$35 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (347 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Camp Host
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/valley-of-fires-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Valley of Fires offers incredible access to one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States with a paved nature trail and visitor center. Campers consistently praise the unique geological landscape and ease of exploration.
Wildlife alert: Expect to see Texas Horned Lizards, Eastern Collared Lizards, Southwestern Fence Lizards, Chihuahuan Ravens, American Kestrels, and Ringtails in the area.
Insider tips for Valley Of Fires Recreation Area: Book early — this is a federal BLM campground with high demand Walk the paved accessible nature trail and explore off-trail for best views of the lava flows Bring a self-contained RV — most sites have no hookups despite having 27 total sites
Skip Valley Of Fires Recreation Area if: You need full RV hookups — only electric hookups available and most sites have no hookups. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only. You prefer developed campgrounds — this is a basic BLM facility with vault toilets and limited amenities.
Best time to visit Valley Of Fires Recreation Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only. October — Verified camper report of pleasant October camping conditions.
Nearby campgrounds: Cedar Creek (Sam Tobias) (RUIDOSO, NM), Rob Jagger’S Campground (Roswell, NM), Aspen Group Area (Lincoln National Forest, Nm) (CLOUDCROFT, NM), Silver (Nm) (Cloudcroft, NM).
Cell Phone Coverage at Valley Of Fires Recreation Area
Cell signal at Valley Of Fires Recreation Area (Roswell, NM): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal BLM campground with high demand
Walk the paved accessible nature trail and explore off-trail for best views of the lava flows
Bring a self-contained RV
most sites have no hookups despite having 27 total sites
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Verified camper report of pleasant October camping conditions
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Valley of Fires fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Valley of Fires before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Valley Of Fires Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Valley Of Fires Recreation Area open?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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