The Land of Fire and Ice is a family-run attraction in New Mexico that combines two impressive and contrasting natural wonders. The first marvel is an 800-foot deep crater left behind when the Bandera Volcano erupted. The second is a natural ice cave where the temperature never exceeds 31 degrees Fahrenheit. These two wonders are within a brief walk of each other, providing visitors with a truly unique experience.

Flickr/Mary Madigan
As you travel along I-40, you’ll notice signs advertising the Land of Fire and Ice, which is located near Grants.
Facebook/Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano
Your first stop is the trading post, which is the jumping off point for both trails. In addition to selling items from local Native American tribes, historic artifacts are also on display here. Some of these were discovered lodged in the lava and are up to 1200 years old!
Facebook/Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano
From the trading post, head to the Bandera View Point first. It makes sense to see the attractions in this order because the trail to the volcano is longer and you can cool off in the ice cave afterwards.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for this portion of your visit. The walk takes roughly twenty minutes and is uphill. If you find yourself puffing and panting, claim that it’s due to the elevation, which is 8122 feet at the overlook!
Facebook/Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano
The Bandera Volcano last erupted roughly 10,000 years ago. The lava flow stretches for 23 miles!

Gaze down and down and down…
Flickr/Beth
The crater’s dimensions are impressive. For starters, it’s 800 feet deep. That can be hard to envision but, for the sake of perspective, it’s approximately the same depth as floor of the Rio Grande Gorge below the bridge.

The crater is also 1400 feet in diameter. So it’s not quite as wide as Elephant Butte Dam (which measures 1674 feet across).
Flickr/notcarbonated
After you return to the trading post, take the short trail in the opposite direction to view the ice cave. This only takes a few minutes, but the walk concludes in some steep steps that take you into the cave (technically a collapsed lava tube).

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Facebook/Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano
Going inside is like entering another world.
Facebook/Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano
This ice cave has been here for a long time. The lowest layer of ice dates back to the 12th century.
Flickr/jileon80
Its gorgeous color comes from Arctic algae.
Flickr/Mary Madigan
This sheet of ice is 20 feet thick and it continues to grow!
Flickr/Kirk Fuson

The Land of Fire and Ice is located at 12000 Ice Caves Road in Grants. It’s open from March through October each year.

The cost of admission is $12 and there are military, senior, and AAA discounts available. Tickets for children under 12 years of age are $6.

Have you seen the Bandera Crater and Ice Cave?

Clearly, New Mexico is a land of natural wonders. Here are 10 more.

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