All parks › Capulin Volcano National Monument
Capulin Volcano National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle, 7 days
- $20[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- July[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 89,489[3]
- Visitor centers
- 1[4]
Capulin Volcano National Monument is a National Park System unit in New Mexico[5]. NPS lists a $20 entrance fee for a private vehicle[1] and says entrance fees are cashless[6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Private Vehicle[1] | $20 |
| Motorcycle[7] | $15 |
| Per Person[8] | $10 |
| Non-commercial Groups[9] | $10 |
| Annual Entrance - Park[10] | $35 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[11].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[6].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[12] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[12] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[12] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[12] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[12] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[12] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[12] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[12] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[12] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
In 2025 the busiest month was July with 19,553 recreation visits[2]. June had 17,244[2]. NPS data shows January at 2,132 visits and February at 2,313[2]. Vehicle access on Volcano Road opens at 8:30 in the morning[13] and closes at 4:00 in the afternoon[13]. NPS says pedestrians and bicycles may use the road after 4:30[13]. Trails are open from sunrise to sunset, and the night sky viewing area stays open through the night[14]. NPS lists closures on 2026-11-26, 2026-12-25 and 2027-01-01[13]. NPS notes that snowfall from December into April may close the volcano road for a time[15]. Check weather before you go[15].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 2,132 |
| February | 2,313 |
| March | 6,263 |
| April | 4,414 |
| May | 9,199 |
| June | 17,244 |
| July | 19,553 |
| August | 10,269 |
| September | 8,469 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 3,365 |
| December | 6,268 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS pet rule says pets must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet where they are allowed[16]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, and each park can close more areas to them[16]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 2 of its 5 listed things to do here: viewing the night sky and driving to the top of the volcano[17].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment, says NPS[6].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[11]. The Resident Annual Pass costs $80[12].
- The Capulin Volcano Annual Pass costs $35 and can be bought at the visitor center[10].
- Vehicles on Volcano Road are limited to 26 feet in length and 8 feet in width, per the NPS fee note[1].
- Confirm current fees and hours on the official NPS park page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Capulin Volcano National Monument?
- NPS lists $20 for a private vehicle, $15 for a motorcycle and $10 per person on foot or bicycle[1][7][8].
- When is the best time to visit Capulin Volcano?
- July had 19,553 recreation visits in 2025, and NPS data shows 0 for October[2]. NPS notes that snowfall from December into April may close the volcano road[15].
- Are dogs allowed at Capulin Volcano National Monument?
- NPS lists pets as permitted for viewing the night sky and driving to the top of the volcano[17]. Where pets are allowed they must be on a leash no longer than six feet or crated[16].
- What are the Volcano Road hours?
- NPS lists vehicle access from 8:30 in the morning[13] until 4:00 in the afternoon[13]. Pedestrians and bicycles may use the road after 4:30[13].
- Can I pay the entrance fee with cash?
- NPS says entrance fees here are cashless, so plan on a card or mobile payment[6].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $20. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 106,623, 2022: 88,541, 2023: 88,514, 2024: 96,078, 2025: 89,489. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Capulin Volcano Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Capulin Volcano National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument) in New Mexico. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Capulin Volcano National Monument are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $15. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $10. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Non-commercial Groups: $10. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $35. National Park Service
- Capulin Volcano National Monument accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Volcano Road Volcano Top Vehicle Access: Volcano Road Vehicle Access is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pedestrians and Bicycles are allowed on volcano road after 4:30. Listed exceptions: Holiday Closures 2026-11-26 to 2026-11-26; Holiday... National Park Service
- Operating hours, Capulin Volcano National Monument Trails: Capulin Volcano National Monument trails are open from sunrise to sunset with the exception of the night sky viewing area (visitor center overflow parking lot) which is open throughout the night.... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Capulin Volcano National Monument. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 5 things to do at Capulin Volcano National Monument: View the Night Sky at Capulin Volcano, Drive to the Top of Capulin Volcano, Explore the Visitor Center at Capulin Volcano, Hike Trails at the Base of Capulin Volcano, Become a Junior Ranger at... National Park Service