The Fascinating Boardwalk In New Mexico That Stretches As Far As The Eye Can See
While New Mexico’s natural beauty is jaw-dropping, it can also be rugged and unforgiving. Such is the case with the Malpais Lava Flow, which occurred thousands of years ago in the area that’s now the Valley of Fires Recreation Area. The lava flow and its surrounding landscape are incredible sights to see, but the lava can be both slippery, and very sharp. To safely see this natural wonder, take the Valley of Fires Nature Trail.
The Valley of Fires Recreation area is located in south-central New Mexico, and if you've never explored this place, you'll want to put it on your bucket list.
The area includes some of the Malpais Lava Flow, which covers 125 square miles in the Tularosa Basin.
This landscape looks rugged and barren, but once you see it up close, you'll find that it's teeming with life. You'll also be fascinated by the lava flow formations in the basin.
Take the one-mile-long Malpais Nature Trail to immerse yourself in the beauty of this place. Before you head out, you'll want to have sunscreen, a hat, some comfortable walking shoes, and plenty of water.
The nature trail is a combination of paved surface and boardwalk, and it's fully accessible. The Bureau of Land Management has a guide brochure that includes information about the lava flow and 14 points of interest along the way.
...and several rest stops. You might be surprised to see a large variety of cactus, sage, and junipers here too. One of the juniper trees here is at least 400 years old!
In fact, many of the plants you'll see here are unique to New Mexico. Some of them put their roots right down into the cracks in the lava, carving their existence in a spot you might not think is habitable for living things.
Watch for lizards scurrying across the trail, and cottontail rabbits hiding amongst the plants. Look above you to see all kinds of birds, from tiny cactus wrens to golden eagles.
Allow yourself 60-90 minutes to walk this loop trail. You'll definitely want to have your camera along to capture this stunning scenery.
If you want to see lots of wildlife, visit in the early morning or evening, when the weather is a little cooler and the animals move around more.
Visit the Bureau of Land Management’s website for more information. Have you visited the Valley of Fires Recreation Area? Tell our readers about your trip in the comments.
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
