El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais National Monument is located south of Grants New, Mexico. El Malpais visitor center is on New Mexico State Highway 53 and is 23 miles south of Grants. The monument does not have a campground but nearby Grants has a number lodging facilities availalbe.
El Malpais means "the badlands" as the area is full of lava flows, cinder cones and prehistoric ruins. The monuments activities include hiking and caving/spelunking. El Malpais is bordered by two state highways that offer viewpoints, download the monuments map for locations. (map pdf, 292k)
Visitor Center
- Daily: 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
- Phone: (505) 783-4114
El Malpais has two paved state highways and a 4-wheel drive dirt road that take you to various viewpoints. There are very few developed hiking trails and the terrain can be very difficult. One of the most popular landmarks is visiting the La Ventana Natural Arch which has a short trail leading up to it and is the largest in Mew Mexico.
Caving
Caving is permitted in the following: Junction Cave, Xenolith Cave, Four Windows Cave and Big Skylight Cave. Braided Cave is closed from May - September to protect a bat species of concern. You will need to bring your own equipment to explore these caves: hard hat, leather gloves, three non-heat producing sources of lights, layered clothing,and wear sturdy hiking boots.
The Bandera Ice Caves are privately owned and a fee is charged to visit the caves.
Zuni-Acoma Trail
15 miles, round trip
Hwy 53 or Hwy 117
There are no area Dog Kennels that offer Boarding.
There are no fees charged at this time for El Malpais National Monument
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