Image Source:
https://images.pexels.com/pho...
The region also teems with a variety of wildlife, including bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barberry sheep, and lizards. Birdwatching enthusiasts can revel in the opportunity to spot great horned owls, burrowing owls, turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows, and golden eagles. The recreation area caters to outdoor enthusiasts with 19 RV campsites and six tent camping sites, each equipped with picnic shelters, tables, grills, and potable water. Among these sites, 14 offer RV electric hookups, and two are designed to be wheelchair accessible. The facility boasts a fully accessible bathroom with showers, while vault toilets are conveniently scattered throughout the park, providing essential amenities for a memorable and comfortable stay amid the extraordinary landscapes of Valley of Fires.
Immediately adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow, the Valley of Fires recreation area stands as a testament to the geological wonders of the Tularosa Basin. Around 5,000 years ago, the eruption of Little Black Peak unleashed molten rock that flowed 44 miles, blanketing the basin and giving rise to the vast expanse of the lava flow. Encompassing 125 square miles, this remarkable lava flow, at 4 to 6 miles wide and 160 feet thick, is considered one of the youngest in the continental United States. Despite its initial appearance of barren rock, a stroll along the nature trail within Valley of Fires reveals a flourishing ecosystem, featuring a diverse array of flowers, cacti, trees, and bushes characteristic of the Chihuahuan desert.