El Malpais National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: New Mexico
📘 Park Overview
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as lava flows, cinder cones, lava tube caves, 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!
🌤 Weather Information
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
🚗 Directions
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.
Images
Sandstone Bluffs Overlook offers a beautiful view over the vast volcanic landscape of El Malpais.
Credit: NPS Kristi Rugg
Enjoy a stroll along the El Calderon Trail to view beautiful wildflowers in summer.
Credit: NPS Photo/ Maci MacPherson
A vast expanse of lava fields as seen from Sandstone Bluffs Overlook
Credit: NPS Photo/ Maci MacPherson
A hike to the top of El Calderon cinder cone offers one a view of the entire monument.
Credit: NPS Photo/ Maci MacPherson
Explore lava tube caving at El Malpais National Monument
Credit: NPS Photo/ Maci MacPherson
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Tuesday, Mar 3
Sunny
High: 65.1°F | Low: 33.3°F
Humidity: 37%
Wind: 21.7 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.5
Sunrise: 06:38 AM
Sunset: 06:09 PM
Moon: Full Moon (100%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 35.8°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Mar 4
Sunny
High: 63°F | Low: 30.9°F
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 11.6 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.6
Sunrise: 06:37 AM
Sunset: 06:10 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (100%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 32.7°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Mar 5
Sunny
High: 64°F | Low: 29.5°F
Humidity: 33%
Wind: 30 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0
Sunrise: 06:35 AM
Sunset: 06:11 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (97%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 31.1°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Merry Meteor Shower and Stargazing
Location: The El Malpais Visitor Center is located at 1900 E Santa Fe Ave in Grants. Off of I-40 exit 85.
Date: Dec 12, 2025 12:00am to Dec 12, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Great Backyard Bird Count Guided Walk
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a citizen science project that inspires millions of non-professional birdwatchers to contribute data every February. Count birds in your backyard or expand to other areas of your neighborhood such as a city or county park or even a national monument!
What to expect:
Beginners and children are welcome on this guided bird count, walking a maximum of 2 miles. The trail is rocky in some parts and may be covered in snow. We will be looking for, listening for, and identifying birds while enjoying a peaceful morning in a part of the monument that is usually closed to the public. Park staff will provide binoculars and answer questions about birds in the area and how to spot them.
What to bring:
-Warm layers that can be easily shed as the morning gets warmer
-Water and snacks
-Binoculars (or borrow a pair of ours)
Location: Meet at the parking lot at the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) off of Highway 53, located between mile markers 63 and 64. If the gate is closed, please wait for a park ranger to let you in.
Date: Feb 14, 2026 12:00am to Feb 14, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Volcano Festival
El Malpais National Monument welcomes you to join us for a Volcano Festival at the El Malpais Visitor Center on Saturday, March 21, from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm.
At 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm, guest speaker Matt Zimmerer, from the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources at New Mexico Tech, will talk about the incredible volcanism found in New Mexico and at El Malpais.
Throughout the event, rangers will offer hands-on activities and demonstrations related to the geology of volcanoes and lava flows. All ages are welcome, and attendees will earn a special Volcano Fest sticker.
Location: 1900 E. Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM, near I-40 exit 85
Date: Mar 21, 2026 12:00am to Mar 21, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Zuni-Acoma Trail Guided Hike
The volcano celebration continues with a ranger-guided hike on the Zuni-Acoma Trail. The hike starts at the Zuni-Acoma West trailhead off Highway 53. This trailhead is about 16 miles south of Grants, near mile marker 70. Please note the Zuni-Acoma Trail has a second trailhead located on Highway 117. Be sure to go to the west Highway 53 trailhead! The hike covers about 3 miles and includes walking across young, loose lava rock. Wear sturdy shoes, sun protection, and bring water and snacks.
Location: Zuni-Acoma West trailhead off Highway 53 near mile marker 70
Date: Mar 22, 2026 12:00am to Mar 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
1900 E. Santa Fe Ave.
Grants, NM 87020
🏤 Mailing Address:
1900 E. Santa Fe Ave.
Grants, NM 87020
📞 Voice Phone: 5058762783
✉️ Email: elma_social_media@nps.gov