Aden Lava Flow Wilderness

Aden Lava Flow Wilderness is a nature reserve featuring hardened lava flows, volcanic craters, and sandy dunes within the Chihuahuan Desert landscape. The terrain displays diverse volcanic formations creating a complex geology of basalt ridges and depressions.

The area gained official protection through the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation Act in 2019, making it part of the national wilderness system. This designation formally preserved the volcanic landscape for long-term conservation.

The volcanic landscape supports specialized wildlife adapted to harsh basalt terrain and desert conditions. These habitats demonstrate how animals thrive in extreme environments shaped by geological forces.

The reserve is reachable from Las Cruces by traveling west on Interstate 10, then following local roads to the entrance area. Visitors should stay on marked routes and prepare for varying desert terrain and weather conditions.

The landscape contains lava tubes and steep-walled depressions reaching up to 100 feet (30 meters) in width that form natural shelters. These geological features provide remarkable hiding places for bat colonies inhabiting the desert terrain.

Location: Doña Ana County

Operator: BLM

GPS coordinates: 32.05217,-106.99911

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:00