• Capulin Volcano National Monument by J. Unruh

    Capulin Volcano

    National Monument New Mexico

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce Capulin?

The Spanish pronunciation is Ka-poo-leen, but most people say Cap-u-lin.



When did it last erupt?

The volcanic rock is currently dated at between 56,000 and 62,000 years old.



How far is it to the top? Can I drive?

The road around the volcano is 2 miles. Hiking to the top is permitted only when the road is closed to vehicles.



What is there to do here?

Drive to the top of the volcano, hike into the crater and/or around the crater rim.



I heard I can see 5 states from here. Which ones?

From the highest point on the crater rim trail on a clear day, visitors can see formations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Some claim to see Kansas, but since there are no high points in western Kansas, it's hard to tell. The last formation in New Mexico to the east, Rabbit Ear Mountain, is visible on clear days and anything beyond it is Texas.

Did You Know?

Black and white photograph of Folsom projectile point.

Distinctive projectile points found in 1928 imbedded amongst bones from an extinct Bison stunned archeologists and changed the known date of human arrival in the new world from 3,000 years ago to more than 10,000 years ago. The points were named Folsom after the nearby town.