Carrizozo Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area

The Carrizozo Lava Flow WSA is located in central New Mexico. This lava flow is believed to be one of the most recent lava flows in the continental United States, dating back 1,500 years. This is a flat plain but a rugged landscape nonetheless. The surface of the lava is extremely rough and broken by fractures, collapsed lava tubes, and pressure ridges. Sparse desert shrubs and grasses grow in the cracks providing an interesting contrast of green against the black lava. The area supports a remarkably diverse ecosystem, including melanistic species with fur or skin darker than is typical for their species since they live mostly on the dark lava. The landscape is difficult to traverse; consequently, the opportunity to find solitude is limitless.

The establishment of a Wilderness Study Area (WSA) identifies areas for Congress to consider adding to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The BLM manages these areas to ensure their suitability for designation as wilderness is not impaired. To learn more about Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, visit  https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/wilderness.