Photo: NPS Kristi Rugg
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure.
Weather now61°F Sunny
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!
The El Calderon Trail and parking area are closed from August 2025 through November 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.
NPS 300 to Big Tubes is wet from ongoing rain. A high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to attempt this road. The road past Big Tubes is very rough and only accessible to high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles.
8 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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!
Learn more about El Malpais Night Skies on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Explore Sandstone Bluffs Overlook on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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.
Learn more about Follow Ancient Footpaths on the Zuni-Acoma Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Hike the El Calderon Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about Hike the Narrows Rim Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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…
Learn more about See a Bat Outflight at Bat Cave on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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.
Learn more about Traverse the Lava Falls Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
La Ventana Natural Arch is a beautiful natural arch formation located just off Highway 117 in El Malpais National Conservation Area.
Learn more about Visit La Ventana Natural Arch on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)Showing 8 of 8
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Facility
Located on exit 85 off I-40 in Grants, NM, the El Malpais Visitor Center is staffed by park rangers from the National Park Service. Stop in for maps, information…
1900 E. Santa Fe Ave., Grants, NM (505) 876-2783 Directions
Open 24 hours, daily · El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais National Monument is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the following exceptions: - Sandstone Bluffs Overlook and the West Zuni-Acoma Trail parking lot are open from sunrise to sunset. - El Malpais Visitor Center and parking area is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Winter hours may vary. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, and January 1st. - El Malpais Emergency Operations Center is currently closed to the public.
No entrance fees listed.
64° 46°
70° 46°
67° 50°
Updated 27 min ago
As a general rule, daily temperatures swing roughly 30 (F) from night lows to afternoon highs. Summer is sunny and hot with monsoon rain storms and an average high of 80 (F). Winter is cool, sunny, with potential snow storms and an average high of 45 (F). Spring and fall are generally dry with the occasional storm rain and/or snow storm. For more information on weather and current weather conditions visit https://www.nps.gov/elma/planyourvisit/weather.htm
No roads exist through El Malpais National Monument. To explore the east side of the park, take exit 89 off I-40 and head south on Highway 117.
To explore the north side of the park, take exit 81 off I-40 and head south on Highway 53. To reach the visitor center, take exit 85 off I-40 in Grants, New Mexico. After you exit, head south on Santa Fe Ave and continue straight over the freeway overpass. Take a left at the entrance sign for El Malpais Visitor Center and continue 300 yards to the parking lot.
Mailing address: 1900 E. Santa Fe Ave., Grants, NM 87020
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
AI answers can be wrong. Check official NPS info before you go.
