Photo: BLM via Recreation.gov (public domain)
Valley of Fires Recreation Area Campground
A BLM campground on a sandstone island above the black Carrizozo lava flow, with $25 water-and-electric sites, covered picnic tables, hot showers and a paved nature trail across the lava, about 55 minutes from Ruidoso.
Carrizozo, New Mexico · BLM campground on US-380
Season
Year-round
14-day stay limit
Elevation
About 5,200 ft
Hot summer days, windy springs
Hookups
Water & electric
13 sites with 30/50 amp; no sewer, dump on site
Big rigs
Up to about 40 ft
Paved sites, many pull-thrus; some are sloped
Updated October 18, 2026 · Details checked against BLM.gov and Recreation.gov
Camp above a lava flow
The Valley of Fires experience
A Bureau of Land Management campground on a ridge above the Carrizozo lava flow, one of the youngest in the continental U.S. Its 13 water-and-electric sites cost $25 a night, every site has a covered picnic table and grill, and a paved trail leads straight out across the black lava.
Water & electric30/50 amp at 13 RV sites; no sewer
Covered picnic tablesA shelter, table and grill at every site
Hot showersShower house with flush toilets
Dump stationOne dump included; open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Malpais Nature TrailA paved, accessible loop across the lava
Visitor centerBookstore and gift shop; limited hours
Water spigotsDrinking water throughout
Group sheltersTwo accessible shelters to reserve
Life at camp
What campers say
The campground report card
We don’t recycle other sites’ reviews, but the published scores tell a clear story: campers love the views, the clean shower house and the price, while the common complaints are wind, little shade and some sloped sites.
How RVers rate it
Category scores from Campendium reviewers, out of 5
Field notes from RVers
Longest rig RVers report37 ft Nov 2021
Cell signal reportedVerizonAT&TT-Mobile
Last reported nightly rate$25 May 2026
As reported by Campendium users. Recreation.gov lists some sites for rigs up to 40 ft; confirm site lengths, fees and rules with the BLM before you go.
On US-380 near Carrizozo
Getting there
The campground is on US-380 about 4 miles west of Carrizozo. From Ruidoso, it’s about 55 minutes via NM-48 to Capitan and US-380 west, or via US-54 north from Alamogordo.
From Ruidoso and Capitan: NM-48 north to Capitan, then US-380 west through CarrizozoFrom Alamogordo: US-54 north to Carrizozo, then US-380 west about 4 miles
US-380 · 4 MI W OF CARRIZOZO
Set your GPS
6158 US-380, Carrizozo, NM 88301
To Carrizozo*About 6 min
To Midtown RuidosoAbout 55 min
To White SandsAbout 1 hr 40 min
From AlbuquerqueAbout 2 hr 45 min
Bring leveling blocks. Sites are paved and many are pull-thrus, but some are sloped; one reviewer moved sites to get a long rig level.
About 5,200 ft. July highs average about 91°, shade is limited beyond the picnic shelters, and spring winds are hard on awnings.
*Drive times are from OpenStreetMap routing and are approximate. Locator map is approximate, not for navigation.
Day trips from camp
Around Ruidoso
Carrizozo is about 6 minutes away, Smokey Bear’s hometown of Capitan is about 35, Midtown Ruidoso about 55, and White Sands is a long day trip south.
Photo thanks to Dennis Adams, FHWA (public domain)
Midtown Ruidoso & Wingfield Park
Shops, galleries, tasting rooms and restaurants along Sudderth Drive, plus Wingfield Park’s playground, river walk and summer events, an easy walk from camp.
Photo thanks to Jonathan Cutrer (CC BY 2.0)
Ski Apache
The Mescalero Apache Tribe’s ski area high on Sierra Blanca, with winter skiing and scenic gondola rides in summer. Ski Run Road is steep and winding, so leave the rig at camp.
Photo thanks to Road Travel America (public domain)
Smokey Bear Historical Park
A small state park and museum in Capitan telling the story of the real Smokey Bear, a cub rescued from a 1950 fire in the nearby Capitan Mountains; his grave is on the grounds.
Photo thanks to Pablorgalindo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
White Sands National Park
Rolling white gypsum dunes for sledding, hiking and sunset walks, past Alamogordo. US-70 can close briefly for missile-range tests, so check before you go.
More places to stay
Other parks worth a look
These are the closest parks we’ve reviewed around Ruidoso.
Photo thanks to Bonito Hollow RV Park
Bonito Hollow RV Park
A family-run seasonal campground on the Rio Bonito near Alto, with creekside sites, campfires and elk wandering through.
Photo thanks to Along the River RV Park
Along the River RV Park
A seasonal park on the Rio Bonito off NM-37, with big-rig pull-thrus, cabins and campfires when allowed.
Photo: Bureau of Land Management
Rob Jaggers Campground
A BLM campground in the Fort Stanton grasslands with water and electric sites, horse corrals and big Capitan Mountain views.
Before you book
Plan your stay
Everything that decides whether Valley of Fires fits your rig, your dates and your budget, in one place.
Our take: one of the best-value campgrounds in the region: $25 water and electric, covered tables at every site, clean showers and a lava-flow trail out the door. It’s windy, shade is scarce and Ruidoso is about an hour away, so think of it as a scenic base for Carrizozo, Capitan and the Tularosa Basin.
FeesBLM.gov & Recreation.gov · checked Oct 18, 2026
RV site, water & electric$25 /night
RV site, no hookups$15 /night
Tent site$15 /night
Group shelter$35 /day
Day use$5 /vehicle
Extra dump (non-campers)$30 /dump
Fees are from the BLM and took effect July 1, 2025. Camping fees include one dump and showers; non-campers pay $30 to dump and $6 to shower. A $30 site-specific annual pass is also available.
Prices are subject to change at any time and may vary by date, season and availability. For the latest pricing, check the park’s rates page or call (575) 648-2241.
Typical July afternoon
Carrizozo91°
Phoenix107°
Warm desert summers: 16° cooler than Phoenix in July, with nights near 59° and strong spring winds.
Is it right for you?
Who it suits, what to consider, and why campers keep coming back.
Open
Site types
$25 a night with water and electric, or $15 without.
Open
Rates & policies
Check-in, reservations, fires, pets and the stay limit.
Open
Before you book
Questions to ask before you reserve.
Open
Valley of Fires Recreation Area is run by the Bureau of Land Management’s Roswell Field Office, with camp hosts on site. It sits beside the Carrizozo lava flow, which poured out about 5,000 years ago.
Best for
- Budget travelers: $25 for water and electric, with showers and a dump included.
- Photographers: big lava-field views and sunrises and sunsets reviewers rave about.
- Walkers: the paved Malpais Nature Trail and the dirt Kipuka Trail start in the campground.
- Stopovers on US-380 and US-54, with paved access and many pull-thrus.
Consider this
- Wind is the top complaint, especially in spring.
- There’s little shade beyond the picnic shelters, and summer brings gnats.
- Some sites are sloped or uneven; bring leveling blocks.
- Ruidoso is about 55 minutes away, and highway and train noise carry at times.
Summer in Carrizozo
Typical July afternoon
91°
Carrizozo
Carrizozo, NM
107°
Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbor
16 degrees cooler than Phoenix, with nights near 59°. Normal July highs, 1991–2020.
The campground has 13 RV sites with water and 30/50-amp power, 6 RV sites without hookups, 7 tent sites and two group shelters. Every site has a covered picnic table and grill; there’s no sewer, but a dump station is on site.
Water & electric sites $25/night
Sites 2–13 and 15, some reservable on Recreation.gov; two accessible sites have 50 amp.
RV sites, no hookups $15/night
Sites 1, 14 and 16–19 for self-contained rigs; water spigots are nearby.
Tent sites $15/night
Tent-only sites 20–25 near the shower house.
Group shelters $35/day
Two group shelters for gatherings; one has electricity.
Check-in2 p.m.Recreation.gov sites
Check-out11 a.m.Leave the site clean
Quiet hours10 p.m.–6 a.m.BLM page says until 7 a.m.
Stay limit14 daysThen move 25+ miles for 28 days
ReservationsSome sites24+ hours ahead on Recreation.gov
First comeOther sitesFill on weekends
PetsLeashedWatch for cactus and sharp lava
CampfiresRings & grillsBring wood; no cutting
Dump7 a.m.–7 p.m.One dump included
FireworksNot allowedNo shooting in the campground
Checked against BLM.gov and Recreation.gov on October 18, 2026. Fees changed on July 1, 2025 and can change again; see the BLM page or call the visitor center at (575) 648-2241 for the latest. Some sites are reservable on Recreation.gov at least 24 hours ahead; the rest are first come, first served.
Good to know before you pull in
Five things that change your booking
Ask these on the phone before you reserve.
- Can I reserve? Some sites book on Recreation.gov at least 24 hours ahead; the rest are first come.
- Is my site level? Check the site notes on Recreation.gov for slope and length.
- Are fire restrictions on? Ask the camp host or call 575-627-0272.
- Do I have a senior or access pass? Ask whether it discounts your fee.
- Is the visitor center open? Hours are limited and change.
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
A few details before you hit the road.
Season: Year-round
Ready to camp beside a lava flow?
Book a water-and-electric site, walk the lava trail at sunset and spend the days in Carrizozo, Capitan and the Sacramento Mountains. Reserve on Recreation.gov or arrive early for a first-come site.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. The campground photos are from the Bureau of Land Management via Recreation.gov (public domain). Video: Roaming With Rosie on YouTube. Area photos via Wikimedia Commons: Dennis Adams, Federal Highway Administration (Midtown Ruidoso; public domain), Jonathan Cutrer (Ski Apache; CC BY 2.0), Road Travel America (Smokey Bear Historical Park; public domain) and Pablorgalindo (White Sands; CC BY-SA 4.0); the images were resized. Other-park photos: Bonito Hollow RV Park, Along the River RV Park and Rob Jaggers Campground. Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the parks we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Valley of Fires Recreation Area Campground unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the park’s published materials and publicly available sources. Pricing, availability, rules, policies, regulations, amenities and other details are set by the park and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel or book, please confirm all details directly with Valley of Fires Recreation Area Campground at blm.gov or (575) 648-2241. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
We will always do our best to keep this page up to date. Thank you to everyone who contributes; we truly appreciate your help and support.