Apollo Astronaut Test Site at Kilbourne Hole Crater

Apollo Astronaut Test Site at Kilbourne Hole Crater

Kilbourne Hole is a spectacular example of a maar crater. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1975, Kilbourne Hole is a mile wide crater created by super-heated gasses and magma from deep within the earth that produced massive amounts of steam causing an explosion and forming the crater within the existing basalt flow. Kilbourne Hole was protected in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in 2014, and is a popular unique destination. Aside from its dramatic appearance, Kilbourne is famous for being a training site for the Apollo space program, used to simulate the terrain of the moon for astronaut training.  At this site you will get to walk around and into the crater.

Total Trip Time: (leaving parking lot of Las Convention Center and Tour Completion): At least 4 hours

Meeting Times: Wednesday Sept. 25 at 12 PM

Where to Meet: Carpool and caravan from the Convention Center Parking Lot

Tour Leader: Devon Fletcher, Author of “Exploring Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument”

Actual Tour Time: 1 ½ hour drive to Kilbourne Hole, 1 – 1 ½ hour tour walking around the rim, and walking into the crater.

Terrain: There is deep sand and rough basalt, but only a small amount of climbing.

What to Bring: Water, snacks, sun-screen, boots, hat. Shorts are probably not a good idea. Jeans or very durable pants are better.

Group Limit: 20

Age Limit: 10 yrs or older

Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Special Directions, Safety Restrictions, etc.: Cooler daytime temperatures mean that late September into October is a happy time of year for snakes.