El Malpais National Monument

The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore diverse geologic features such as lava flows, cinder cones, lava tube caves, and sandstone bluffs. A beautiful and breathtaking landscape, people have been adapting to and living in this extraordinary terrain for centuries and generations.

1900 E Santa Fe Ave
Grants, NM 87020
United States

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505-783-4226

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Discover El Malpais National Monument

Venture into a landscape shaped by fire and time at El Malpais National Monument, where vast lava flows, towering sandstone cliffs, and hidden caves create a rugged, otherworldly terrain. Located in western New Mexico, this striking volcanic landscape has been home to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years and remains a place of cultural significance. Hike through lava fields, peer into ancient lava tubes, or take in sweeping views from sandstone bluffs. El Malpais offers a unique and unforgettable experience in the high desert, where geology, history, and adventure converge.

Visit the WNP store

Visit the WNP store inside the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center. Shop collectibles, keepsakes, trail guides, books, mementos, and more and remember your visit to this beautiful place.

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Exploring Petrified Forest National Park, El Malpais National Monument, & El Morro National Monument

Discover ancient landscapes, volcanic wonders, and historic inscriptions on this three-day remote adventure through Arizona and New Mexico.

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Hike the Lava Flow Trails

Trails like the El Calderon Trail and Lava Falls Trail take you across ancient lava fields with stunning views.

Explore lava tubes

Some caves, like the 60 thousand-year-old Junction Cave, are open to visitors with a free permit—bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes.

Visit Sandstone Bluffs overlook

This scenic viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramas of the lava fields and distant mountains.

Check road conditions

Some areas, like the remote Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway, require high-clearance vehicles and can become impassable after rain.

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Upcoming events

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Volcano Festival

Oct 4 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Join us for Volcano Festival at the El Malpais Visitor Center as we celebrate our wonderful volcanic landscape! We invite all ages to come learn about the geology of volcanoes and lava flows and earn a special Volcano Festival sticker. At 10:00 am...

Lava Falls Guided Hike

Oct 5 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Join a guided hike on the 3,900-year-old McCartys Flow via the Lava Falls Trail. Lava Falls Trail consists of a 1.1-mile loop trail marked by rock cairns. The entire hike is on young lava rock. Most of the flow is smooth, but there is some stepping...

Stargazing at Sandstone Bluffs

Oct 10 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Stargaze with rangers, look through a telescope, and learn about the importance of dark night skies. Sandstone Bluffs Overlook is located 19 miles south of Grants on Highway 117. Once at the parking area, look for the red lights. Wear warm layers and...

Zuni-Acoma Trail (Hwy 53) Guided Hike

Oct 11 10:30 am – 1:00 pm

Learn about what makes El Malpais home to some of the region's most diverse plant communities, and experience the dramatic landscape changes, sometimes from just one step to the next. The hike will visit and discuss the burn scar from the 2024...