Little Black Peak Wilderness Study Area

The Little Black Peak Wilderness Study Area is located in central New Mexico. Little Black Peak, at 5,676 feet, is the primary source of the surrounding lava flow. It's also the only feature rising significantly above the surrounding plain. The Wilderness Study Area is a rugged landscape of lava spewed out and cololed about 5,000 years ago. The lava is broken by fissures, jumbled outcrops and the occasional lava tube. Sparse desert shrubs and grasses grow in the cracks, providing an interesting contrast of green against the black lava.

The area supports a diverse ecosystem, including some lizards that have developed darker skin colorations to help them disappear against the rock. To go hiking around on the lava, you want to be well prepared with appropriate footwear and other outdoor gear.

Broken lava falls and cactus everyhwere

Little Black Peak Wilderness Study Area map