New Mexico’s Land of Fire & Ice
OPEN march 1 - nov 1 !
For a real experience in contrast, visit the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano, "The Land of Fire and Ice," located right on the Continental Divide. Walk through the twisted old-growth Juniper, Fir, and Ponderosa Pine trees, over the ancient lava trails, down into the cave, and into a dormant volcano. Inside the cave, the natural layers of ice glisten blue-green in the reflected rays of sunlight, illuminating natural arctic algae. Take a walk around the Bandera Volcano and view one of the best examples of volcanic eruption in the country. Browse the historic Ice Caves Trading Post featuring ancient artifacts, geologic souvenirs, refreshing snacks, and warm New Mexican hospitality.
Education Corner
We offer many educational opportunities including worksheets and other activities. We offer educational discounts for school field trips
History
A New Mexico family heritage. A fascinating history of four generations of the Candelaria family conserving the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano.
ICE CAVE AND BANDERA VOLCANO
Located on the Continental Divide, New Mexico’s Land of Fire & Ice features two self guided trails: one into the Bandera Volcano and the other into the perpetual Ice Cave.
Photos by Jacob Alford
ICE CAVES Trading post
The Ice Caves Trading Post features local Native American jewelry, pottery, rugs, and other art. In addition to contemporary Native American arts, the historic Ice Caves Trading Post features a museum of ancient artifacts recovered from the Ice Cave and surrounding areas and dated 1,200 years old! We also have an extensive rock shop and lots of fun souvenirs available for sale. Our cozy dining room features cold drinks, hot drinks, snacks, ice cream and some groceries for your convenience.
The two trails start from the front of Trading Post, one leads out to the Ice Cave, and the other up the Bandera Volcano.
SELF GUIDED WALKING TOURS TAKE one HOUR AT A LEISURELY PACE TO SEE BOTH landmarks, THE BANDERA VOLCANO AND THE PERPETUAL ICE CAVE.
A map of the path to both the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano.
You can download and print our official trail-guide BY CLICKING here.
Bandera Volcano
Bandera exploded in volcanic fury some 10,000 years ago - very recent in geologic time. It is one of the finest examples of an erupted cinder cone and lava field in North America as well as one of the most accessible. Bandera spans 1,400 feet wide at the rim and reaches 800 feet deep. The trail winds up and around and into the southern breach to the very best vantage point to see the inside of the crater.
The trail to Bandera Volcano is nearly half a mile long and takes 40 minutes round trip to complete. The trail rises gradually from its base to the lookout point for an elevation gain of 150 feet. The lookout gives a spectacular vantage to imagine earth’s raw, explosive fury spraying molten lava in a fiery mist to form the cinder cone and then the all out assault of magma tearing out the southern breach draining into the valley below with a 23 mile river of fire and flood of molten lava.
Ice Cave
Located in a section of Bandera’s collapsed lava tube, the perpetual Ice Cave's temperature never rises above 31º F. year round. The natural layers of ice have been forming for over 3,400 years. The perpetual Ice Cave is a natural phenomenon made possible by a combination of physical factors forming a natural ice box; a 20 foot thick mass of ice accumulating in a well insulated cave of porous lava and shaped just right to trap cold air, continually generating new ice as rain water and snow melt seep down and freeze.
The trail to the Ice Cave is nearly a quarter mile long and takes 20 minutes round trip to complete. The viewing platform is located 70 steps from the landing at the upper surface of the lava tube. Note the unusual transition in temperature throughout the descent. At the viewing platform, you are inside the cave but do not lose sight of daylight, The Ice Cave is a sacred place with a 1,200 year history of human interaction dating back to the Ancestral Puebloans (also known as the Anasazi) and continuing to this day as a spiritual and refreshingly cool, peaceful space.
Gemstone Mining
The Ice Cave features a gemstone mining sluice where you can pan for gemstones and arrowheads in the old time water tower and trough. Match your gemstone treasures to an included indentification key to learn what you've discovered! The gemstone mining sluice is great fun for all ages, and provides an educational diversion for your stay.
Pricing
NO RESERVATION REQUIRED