There are many areas awaiting your exploration of El Malpais. Below are some of the main visitor use areas that offer sightseeing, hiking, caving, photography, birding and solitary experiences:

Sandstone Bluffs Overlook

An easy drive on a dirt road leads to a ridge of sandstone. From here you are offered excellent vistas of the El Malpais lava flows and the surrounding countryside.

La Ventana Natural Arch (BLM)

One of the largest of New Mexico's natural arches, La Ventana was eroded from sandstone that dates back to the age of dinosaurs.

Cebolla Wilderness (BLM)

East of NM 117 lie some 62,000 acres of forested rimrock country. This wilderness is rich in prehistoric petroglyphs and historic homesteads.

Lava Falls Area

Explore lava features and plant adaptations unique to McCartys flow, the youngest lava flow in this region.

Zuni-Acoma Trail

This ancient puebloan trail follows a trade route between Zuni and Acoma Pueblos. This is a strenuous 7 ½ mile one-way hike across 4 of the major lava flows in this region.

El Calderon Area

Forested and offering year-round opportunities, this area includes Junction Cave, Double Sinks, El Calderon cinder cone, lava flows and sandstone formations.

Chain of Craters (BLM)

Magma found a weak area here and created a rift lined by 30 cinder cones.

West Malpais Wilderness (BLM)

Lava surrounds a large ponderosa pine parkland known as Hole-in-the-Wall.

Big Tubes Area

Lava tubes can be huge and this area is home to one of the largest systems in North America. A cairn route leads to Four Windows and Big Skylight Caves, and to Caterpillar and Seven Bridges Collapses.

VISITATION:

100,000+ visitors per year. Visitation is highest in July and August, lowest in December and January.

LOCATION:

Grants, New Mexico

ADDRESS:

P.O. Box 939
Grants, NM 87020-0939

TELEPHONE:

El Malpais Information Center (505) 783-4774
Monument Headquarters (505) 285-4641
FAX (24 hours) (505) 285-5661

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

The monument is always open to visitors except for the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook that closes at dusk. El Malpais Information Center is open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

El Malpais ranges in elevation from 6500 to 8300 ft. The weather in northwestern New Mexico is unpredictable and visitors should be prepared for all conditions throughout the year. Thunderstorms are a common occurrence during summer afternoons and lightning poses a hazard to hikers. Winter snowstorms are common and nights are cold with below freezing temperatures. Visitors planning to explore lava tube caves need to come prepared with warm clothing, protective headgear, three sources of light, and leather gloves. Sturdy hiking boots are required when hiking on lava terrain and daypacks with water, snacks, raingear, first aid kit and sunscreen are suggested. Backcountry exploration requires planning and rangers at El Malpais Information Center can provide assistance prior to your visit.

DIRECTIONS:

El Malpais is located south of Grants, NM. Two major state highways border the monument and conservation area and both are accessed via Interstate 40. Exit 89, east of Grants, will take you along NM 117 which forms the eastern boundary. BLM's El Malpais Ranger Station is located 9 miles south of this exit and is open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. Exit 81, west of Grants, will take you along NM 53 which forms the northwestern boundary. NPS's El Malpais Information Center is located 23 miles south of this exit and is open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Monument: The best access to the monument is by private automobile. Major airlines serve Albuquerque, NM which is 72 miles from the monument. Rental vehicles are available in Albuquerque and limited rentals are available in Grants, NM and Gallup, NM. Greyhound bus lines has limited service to Grants, NM.

In Monument: Private automobile for paved roads; high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for travel on dirt roads and are required for travel on primitive roads; mountain bikes and horseback (no bike or horse rentals available).

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No fees are charged. Donations are appreciated!

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

El Malpais Information Center is located 23 miles south of Grants, on NM 53. It contains exhibits about volcanology and natural history, bookstore, and area information. Picnic tables, water and restrooms are available.

Trails, Roads:

Two state highways provide paved access to many areas in the monument. County Road 42, a dirt road, provides access to the backcountry's primitive dirt roads. These roads may be impassable when wet. Travel on these roads is restricted to high clearance vehicles and those with four-wheel drive are preferred.

Hiking routes exist throughout the monument. Most traverse lava flows and are marked with rock cairns. Few dirt routes exist. Backcountry hiking and cave exploration is permitted, but no water is available. Topographical maps and a compass or GPS unit are strongly suggested for backcountry exploration.

Use extreme caution hiking on lava terrain - it is sharp and unstable! Please don't hike or cave alone.

Programs/Activities:

Ranger guided activities are available during the summer weekends. These include hikes, programs, cave explorations and evening bat flights. Contact El Malpais Information Center for details. Ranger guided programs for educational groups are available by reservation. Contact monument headquarters for information.

Lodging and Camping Facilities:

The monument does not have an established campground. Primitive camping is allowed and all overnight use requires a free backcountry permit available from El Malpais Information Center. There are developed RV campgrounds in Grants and there is one on NM 53 near El Morro National Monument. The US Forest Service, Mt. Taylor Ranger District, operates campgrounds in the Grants, NM area.

Overnight accommodations, food, supplies, and gasoline are available in Grants. Contact the Grants/Cibola Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-748-2442.

Food and Supplies:

None in the monument. Nearest sources are in Grants or Ramah.

Accessibility:

Accessibility is limited. A portion of Sandstone Bluffs Overlook is wheelchair accessible as is a short loop trail at the Zuni-Acoma Trailhead. Restroom facilities at areas throughout the monument are accessible. El Malpais Information Center is also accessible.

Special Needs:

Visitor parking is available at all sites and these areas have room for a limited number of RVs or buses.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Explore the diverse volcanology of lava flows and associated features dating from 115,000 to 3,000 years old. Photography, sightseeing and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Hike along established routes or make your own way. Go underground and experience the diversity of life abounding in lava tubes. Picnic or camp. The back countrycamper is virtually certain of isolation. Connect to past times as you travel ancient routes and explore old homesites. Rangers are eager to help you plan your visit!

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

All overnight and backcountry use requires a free permit. Some caves require a Special Use Permit. Educational groups need to make reservations for ranger-led activities.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

This area is vast and for many, it's taken a lifetime to explore! You'll need at least a day to view the features easily reached by NM 117 and NM 53. If time is limited, then you'll need to select one area for a one to three hour exploration.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Rangers conduct a variety of programs, hikes and demonstrations during the summer months. A favorite is our Creatures of Darkness program conducted once each month June-August. Join a ranger for a guided hike to observe bats in their natural environment, then return to the parking area where a telescope awaits dark sky viewing. This program may be cancelled without notice due to bad weather.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Information concerning road conditions is available from the information center. Wilderness areas are closed to mechanized vehicles. Sandstone Bluffs Overlook is closed at dusk.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

There are several National Park Service areas within a day's drive from El Malpais:

El Morro National Monument

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Petroglyph National Monument

Petrified Forest National Park

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Recreational opportunities abound in nearby National Forest areas, Mt. Taylor and the Zuni Mountains. Bluewater Lake State Park offers fishing and camping opportunities. The Grants Mining Museum takes you underground through a recreated uranium mine. You can visit nearby Acoma Pueblo, Zuni Pueblo, the privately owned Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano and Ramah Lake.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write to the Superintendent, El Malpais National Monument,
PO Box 939,
Grants, NM 87020-0939,
or call (505) 783-4774 for more information.

_______________________________

Last Updated:Tuesday, 13-Apr-99 18:21:05
http://www.nps.gov/elma/