Oversized Vehicles

The Volcano Road
The 2 mile Volcano Road was surveyed and constructed in 1925 by custodian Homer Farr using mules dragging weighted boards up the volcano. He believed that better access to Capulin Volcano would bring more tourists to the monument and boost the local economy. Though the building of the road was controversial even for its day, visitors are still able to enjoy the accessibility it has provided over the past 90 years. At that time, there was no way of even conceiving of the size of today's RV's. Even if Homer Farr had, there is simply no room on the road, or in the volcano top parking area for anything other than vehicles 26 feet and under.

Oversized Vehicles (Vehicles over 26 feet in length)
Because the Volcano Road was built initially in 1925, it predated current roadway standard widths. Large vehicles, such as tour buses and motor homes, struggle to navigate the tight S curves and narrow lanes without encroaching on the opposing lane of traffic. As a result, in 1994 the National Park Service implemented policies that restricted the length and width of vehicles safely able to negotiate the Volcano Road alone. To ensure safety, Capulin Volcano National Monument instituted traffic control protocols. Due to this restriction and the short one lane section on the road, Capulin Volcano does not allow oversized vehicles to travel up Volcano Road.

Vehicles Pulling Trailers
No trailers are allowed on the volcano road. There is an oversized vehicle/trailer parking area, where it is possible to drop the trailer. Semi-tractors with trailers or travel trailers over 34 feet, the road leading to the visitor center is narrow with a tight parking lot entrance, and turning around can be difficult approaching impossible. If you wish to visit, please drop your trailer at the gravel patch just outside to the south of our entrance.

Last updated: July 12, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

46 Volcano Highway
Capulin, NM 88414

Phone:

575 278-2201

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