El Malpais Night Skies
El Malpais National Monument
Explore 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!
El Malpais National Monument has dark features both on the ground and far above. Why not take an evening to look up at rivers of stars after a day of looking down at cooled rivers of lava? Or perhaps trade in the urban light of Albuquerque or Santa Fe for a softer, more ancient kind of light? Although park staff are in the early stages of putting together an International Dark Sky Park application, you don’t need to wait until the park is certified to do some stargazing. With a bit of planning, the right gear, and a fully charged sense of wonder, the night skies have something for everyone!
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1-8 Hours
Timing, seasons, and weather may affect how long you spend outside.
No
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Night, Dawn, Dusk
All parking areas are gravel and pit toilets are available. Service animals are allowed, although not encouraged to use the trails at night. Safety note: We do not recommend hiking on the Lava Falls Trail at night due to uneven terrain.
Yes — We welcome pets at El Malpais National Monument, so long as they are on a leash no longer than six feet (2 meters) and you are attached to the other end. More wildlife is active at night during the summer months, so remember to keep your pet under control at all times.
No
Throughout the Park and Surrounding Areas
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