Valley of Fires

https://www.blm.gov/visit/valley-of-fires

 Valley of Fires State Park was our next stop. It was still early morning and still cold. But it was so unique here that I ;am glad we didn't miss it. I was still very tired from our trek through Carlsbad Cavern's so Sarah took about a 20 minute walk out into the lava fields and took most of the photos of our trip here. After seeing the nice RV parking areas we almost wished we had braved the sun and spent the night here. The rates are very reasonable. I would recommend it for anyone that wants to park overnight in the desert. There is even an area for tent camping. This is a lava field. Unlike the true volcano peaks that most people think of this area erupted in like rivers and that ran across the landscape instead of throwing the lava rocks from a central area. It is very interesting and there are lots of native New Mexico desert plants to see as well as small desert animals like birds, snakes, lizards, packrats, and coyotes. Remember this kind of country can be hard on shoes, clothes and skin. If hiking here you want good hiking shoes or boots, no sandals.

Do not confuse this park with Nevada's Valley of Fire near Las Vegas, NV. I remember going there several times as a child when we lived on Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada during the late 1950's.