Parks / El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais National Monument
National Monument · NM
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes, and sandstone bluffs. While some may see a desolate environment, people have been adapting to and living in this extraordinary terrain for generations. Come visit the land of frozen fire!
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (2)
NPS 300 Road Conditions
NPS 300 to Big Tubes has not been evaluated since the most recent rainfall. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. The road past Big Tubes is very rough and only accessible to high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles.
El Calderon Trail closed for construction through September 2026
The El Calderon Trail and parking area are closed from August 2025 through September 2026 for a major improvement project. NPS Road 100 will remain open for local traffic only, and the Continental Divide Trail will remain open for CDT thru-hikers.
Entrance Fees
This park is fee-free.
Upcoming Events
BLM Presents: Constellation Exploration Astronomy Program
Sep 4, 2026 · La Ventana Natural Arch Parking Lot, located 25 miles south of Grants on Highway 117. From exit 89 on Interstate 40, head south on Highway 117, and turn at mile marker 39.
Cactus Curiosities Guided Hike
Sep 5, 2026 · Lava Falls Trailhead, 36 miles south of Grants on Highway 117. From exit 89 on Interstate 40, head south on Highway 117, and turn just past mile marker 28.
Things to Do
El Malpais Night Skies
Explore the Milky Way, countless stars, and planets any time of year! You don’t have to travel far into El Malpais to look deep into space!
Explore Sandstone Bluffs Overlook
Gaze across one of the youngest lava flows in the continental U.S. from the vantage of a high sandstone bluff created during the time of the dinosaurs. Explore the cliffs for different views, including a glimpse of New Mexico's second highest mountain!
Follow Ancient Footpaths on the Zuni-Acoma Trail
Hike across a historic trail that connects the pueblos of Acoma and Zuni. This strenuous 7.5 mile hike is an El Malpais classic hike.
Hike the El Calderon Trail
El Calderon Area at El Malpais National Monument offers easy to moderate difficulty hiking past lava tube caves, over ancient lava flows, and around the top of an extinct cinder cone. This trail can be hiked as a 3 mile or 5 mile route.
Hike the Narrows Rim Trail
Spectacular panoramic views of the lava flows at El Malpais and surrounding landscape are the main attraction of this hike. You may also encounter ravens and other birds of prey enjoying the thermal uplifts here.
See a Bat Outflight at Bat Cave
On warm summer evenings, Mexican free-tailed bats burst from a lava tube known as Bat Cave for a night of hunting insects over the lava flows of El Malpais National Monument. Witness this phenomenon for yourself along the El Calderon Trail off Highway 53.
Traverse the Lava Falls Trail
Take a hike on the youngest lava flow in El Malpais National Monument and in New Mexico. You will encounter numerous unique volcanic features on this one- mile cairned route.
Visit La Ventana Natural Arch
La Ventana Natural Arch is a beautiful natural arch formation located just off Highway 117 in El Malpais National Conservation Area.
Visitor Centers
- El Malpais Visitor Center
Source: National Park Service.