Laws & Policies

Ranger and two visitors stand at an overlook in early morning light.
Ranger and visitors at Capulin Volcano National Monument

NPS Photo

Rules and regulations are in place to protect the visitors and the wonderful resources of Capulin Volcano National Monument. Please do your part to protect this special place.

Aircraft-based Remote-controlled Equipment
Use of remote-controlled equipment (including but not limited to helicopters, drones, and other aircraft-based equipment) within Capulin Volcano National Monument is prohibited.

Bicycling
Bicycling is not permitted on the Volcano Road during operating hours. Cyclists may ride the Volcano Road before opening in the morning or after closing in the evening.

Fees
A fee is required to enter the park and for some special use permits. Visit Fees and Passes for more information on fees. Visit Do Business With Us for more information on special use permits.

Firearms
People who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, can legally possess firearms in Capulin Volcano National Monument and must follow all state and federal laws. Discharging firearms or hunting within the park is prohibited. Firearms are prohibited in park facilities.

Large Groups
Some large organized groups may require a special use permit. Please visit Do Business With Us to see whether your group requires a permit.

Off-road Vehicles
The use of ATVs, OHVs, UTVs or other vehicles designed for off-road use is prohibited within Capulin Volcano National Monument regardless of registration status. This includes "street legal" ATVs.

Pets
Pets, with the exception of service animals, are prohibited in buildings and on trails other than the Nature Trail adjacent to the Visitor Center. In areas where pets are allowed, they must be on a leash. For more information, visit Pets.

Resource Damage
Damaging the park's natural and cultural resources is prohibited. Activities that damage resources include walking on vegetation, the taking of rocks and other natural or cultural objects, and graffiti and other vandalism.

Vehicles
Capulin Volcano's Compendium states that the maximum size of vehicle allowed on the Volcano Road is 26 feet in length and/or 8 feet in width. In order to accommodate large vehicles (motorhomes, buses, etc.) we must stop traffic. Learn more about large vehicle restrictions and our traffic control procedures on the Oversized Vehicles page.

Wildlife
Feeding and harassing wildlife is prohibited. Squirrels, mule deer, and other wildlife become aggressive when they become dependent on human food. Interactions with visitors raise the potential for injury, disease transmission, and potential destruction of the animal.


Traffic Laws
Capulin Volcano National Monument, as well as other National Park Service sites, enforces the same traffic laws as other law enforcement agencies, in addition to other park specific regulations. Below are a few of specific regulations. Please keep in mind that while the location is very different from your hometown, basic traffic laws are the same.

Speed
Capulin Volcano has roads with narrow lanes, sharp turns, long drop-offs, beautiful vistas, and close up encounters with wildlife. Help ensure your safety and protect the park's wildlife by obeying all speed limits.

Obey Road Signs
All road signs must be obeyed, such as parking signs and lane markings. Help protect the resource by parking only on hard paved pullouts and not parking on vegetation.

Drugs and Alcohol
Possession of any controlled substance is prohibited. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants, or having open containers of alcohol in a vehicle, is prohibited. Help us protect the park resources and other visitors by identifying a designated driver.


More Information
Federal Regulations
Certain regulations apply to every national park unit. Those regulations can be found in the
Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7).

Superintendent's Compendium
The Superintendent's Compendium is an addendum to the CFR that lists specific rules and regulations for Capulin Volcano National Monument, including the justification for each. 2023 Capulin Volcano National Monument Superintendent's Compendium (PDF Document, 695 KB)

Capulin Volcano Foundation Document
Every unit of the national park system is to have a foundational document that will provide basic guidance for planning and management decisions—a foundation for planning and management, or foundation document. Capulin Volcano Foundation Document

Last updated: May 14, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

46 Volcano Highway
Capulin, NM 88414

Phone:

575 278-2201

Contact Us