Valley of Fires Recreation — Attraction in Four Corners States

This was our second time staying here. The campground is well maintained, with clean restroom and shower facilities. The mile long loop trail is lovely (especially on an overcast day). We stayed in site #6 and it had electric and water hookups, along with a great view of the lava trail. It was also close to the restroom/shower building. Upon checkin, the QR code was worthless. I walked over to the bookstore and was assisted by a very nice man who helped me to check in without having to use an app. I wrote a good old fashioned check for our one night stay. I also purchased a few books in the gift shop. On our first stay, the police were called out for an unruly camper, he was not arrested, rather, he was allowed to spend the night and leave the next morning, after yelling obscenities to his daughter. Yesterday, around midnight, a man, woman and dog entered the park and proceeded to park at the restroom/shower facilities (very close to our campsite). They entered the restrooms while smoking cigarettes, they took their dog in with them, and stayed and partied for around two hours. The camp host told us in the am, he found a bunch of empty bottles in the restroom. NOT OK! How about installing a key pad on the restroom doors and provide the codes to the campers? Lock the restroom/showers at 10 pm each night and the paying customers can enter with a code that is changed on a daily basis. While the host was wonderful, and the area itself was clean, and beautiful, on both of my visits, I felt a bit unsafe. I am not sure if I'll give this place another try (3 strikes and your'e out), or not. It is a shame that the tweekers from town choose to come party here on a...

Beware—a reservation here means “we’ll take your money,” and that’s it. It doesn’t mean they’ll actually save you the spot you paid for.

Called in advance to let the camp host I would be arriving late. Von (the host) said that’s fine. I came far out of my way to stay here anyway since I had already paid.

I arrived and circled a dozen times, confused by the layout and small numbers and unable to find my spot. Finally saw it was occupied by a huge RV setup with a giant fire going. They told me they had an emergency that made them have to take my spot, and to contact Von.

Von’s girlfriend (?) came out of the trailer. He was apparently unavailable. She said I could look for another open spot or try to contact the reservation system get a refund. No help with the refund or apologies offered about the situation at all. Really disappointing. And now who knows if I’ll be able to get a refund at all due to the government shutdown! I’ll probably be out $25+ for nothing.

If the camp host had just called me to let me know that he gave my spot away, I could’ve saved hours and hours and money and time and just planned to go somewhere else and not gone out of my way to find “my spot” occupied. Even after I called to let him know my ETA, he didn’t update at all....

Nice little park right off 380 as you travel east/west across New Mexico. Easy in/out for big rigs but parking for big rigs is limited. The bookstore/visitor center has good info, helpful friendly staff, maps and souvenirs. There was a single, clean bathroom inside. The campsites have a covered Ramada, picnic table and grill. There are sites with pull throughs, electric and water. There’s a dump station available.

The sites and road are paved but not all sites are level. The camping area is on a raised island overlooking the lava flow so it is windy. There’s no natural shade. But the views of the mountains, malpais and plains are gorgeous. I bet sunset and sunsets are amazing. This park is certainly close enough to visit the ski areas in the Lincoln NF, White Sands NP, and more.

The interpretive trail is paved and 3/4 mile long and showcases many interesting features of the flows. The trail is ADA accessible but there are a couple cracks in the pavement. Dogs...