Visitor Center at Capulin Volcano National Monument

OPERATING HOURS

Capulin Volcano National Monument Visitor Center is typically open year-round from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, except when closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Keep in mind that times can always change, so be sure to get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the park.

AMENITIES

• Ranger-staffed information desk where you can ask questions and pick up a park brochure
• Purchase entrance passes
• Book and souvenir store
• Park film
• Exhibit area
• Restrooms

Information desk and souvenir store at the Capulin Volcano National Monument Visitor Center

PARK FILM

The 12-minute film Capulin Volcano plays on a loop in the Visitor Center auditorium. It details the history of Capulin’s eruption and provides information on the surrounding Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field and landscape. Suitable for all ages, the film is worth watching before you head out to explore the monument and trails so that you have a better understanding about what you are seeing.

EXHIBIT AREA

Exhibit area at the Capulin Volcano National Monument Visitor Center

The small exhibit area inside the Visitor Center features information panels and artifacts about the geology, the local wildlife, and the human history of Capulin Volcano. A few display cases hold lava rocks and small artifacts. There is also a model of the volcano and its lava flow, plus a touch table where you can feel samples of volcanic rocks.

Touch table with lava bombs and other artifacts at the Capulin Volcano National Monument Visitor Center

Four small monitors around the room show short, captioned videos that cover topics such as the creation of the national monument, the surrounding landscape, night sky preservation, and George McJunkin, a local cowboy and former slave who discovered the nearby Folsom Archeological Site. Each video is about three to four minutes long and plays on a constant loop.

Short video programs in the exhibit area of the Capulin Volcano National Monument Visitor Center

Also on display are telescopes the park uses for its Dark Sky program. Capulin Volcano National Monument is one of the darkest locations in the continental United States, boasting nearly pristine night sky conditions. It was named a Gold-Tier Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association in 2016. The park hosts Dark Sky viewings most Saturday nights during summer months and select nights throughout the rest of the year. Get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Calendar web page.

For those with their own telescopes, the far left side of the Visitor Center parking lot is designated as the park’s Dark Sky Viewing Area. It is open all night, every night. For more information, see the National Park Service’s official Astronomy web page.

Telescopes used for Dark Sky viewing at Capulin Volcano National Monument

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

Plan to spend about 30 to 45 minutes at the Capulin Volcano National Monument Visitor Center. This gives you enough time to watch the film, check out the exhibit area, and talk with a Ranger about what there is to see and do at the park.

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