National Natural Landmark (1975) maar crater—an explosive volcanic pit with little cone-building—set in the Chihuahuan Desert basin between the Potrillo Mountains and the Rio Grande. Roughly 1.7 miles long and hundreds of feet deep; famous for mantle-derived olivine-rich volcanic bombs. Rim lands are BLM within Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument; crater floor includes private inholdings—view and hike the public rim only.
Field facts
| Region | Doña Ana County, NM |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31.9701, -106.9500 |
| Type | Maar volcanic crater / NNL |
| Age | ~24,000–100,000 years |
| Manager | BLM Las Cruces (OMDP NM) |
| Access | County dirt roads (high-clearance) |
Nearby locations
Nearby amenities
- Rec areaKilbourne Hole Volcanic Crater0 km away
- Point of interestKilbourne Hole Volcanic Crater Nnl1.5 km away
- Rec areaAden Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area7.8 km away
- Rec areaAden Lava Flow Wilderness10.8 km away
- Rec areaMount Riley Wilderness Area12.5 km away
- Rec areaEast Potrillo Mountains Wilderness Area16.1 km away
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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