Overview
About El Malpais National Monument.
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. 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!
Weather
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
Gallery
Photos of El Malpais National Monument.
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Things to do
Discover El Malpais National Monument.
El Malpais Night Skies
1-8 HoursExplore 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!
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Explore Sandstone Bluffs Overlook
15-60 MinutesGaze 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, including a glimpse of New Mexico's second highest mountain!
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Follow Ancient Footpaths on the Zuni-Acoma Trail
2-8 HoursHike across a historic trail that connects the pueblos of Acoma and Zuni. This strenuous 7.5 mile hike is an El Malpais classic hike.
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Hike the El Calderon Trail
1-3 HoursEl 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 be hiked as a 3 mile or 5 mile route.
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Hike the Narrows Rim Trail
1-6 HoursSpectacular 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 uplifts here.
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See a Bat Outflight at Bat Cave
1-2 HoursOn 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 for yourself along the El Calderon Trail off Highway 53.
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Traverse the Lava Falls Trail
1-2 HoursTake 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.
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Visit La Ventana Natural Arch
20-30 MinutesLa Ventana Natural Arch is a beautiful natural arch formation located just off Highway 117 in El Malpais National Conservation Area.
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