The lava making up the flow came from Little Black Peak , about 10 miles north-northwest of Carrizozo . It reached about 40 miles south-southwest along the bottom of Tularosa Basin in two active flows . Initial age estimates ranged from 1,000 to 1,500 years ago , but recent cosmogenic dating techniques revealed the eruption date is 5200 ± 700 years ago . At their southern end , the lava flows are about 12 miles north of the dune fields of White Sands National Monument . The Carrizozo Woman 's Club helped protect this state area . The '' ' Valley of Fires Recreation Area ' '' provides access to the Malpaís on its east edge , about 3 miles west of Carrizozo on U.S. Route 380 . The highway has several scenic overlooks where it crosses the Malpaís . The entire extent of the flow can be seen from higher elevations to the east on U.S. Route 380 . The Trinity ( nuclear test ) , first atomic bomb detonation site , is 20 miles NW
Trinity ( nuclear test )
Trinity (nuclear test)
Carrizozo Malpais