• Sweeping panoramic views of lava flows, cinder cones, and distant mountains can be enjoyed at Sandstone Bluffs.

    El Malpais

    National Monument New Mexico

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  • Cave permits now available for selected park caves

    FREE mandatory cave permits are now available to visit specific caves in El Malpais. Permits can be obtained at the El Malpais Information Center on NM Highway 53 or at the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center at I-40/Exit 85. More »

For Kids

Become an El Malpais Junior Ranger!

Join our Junior Ranger program; click here to see what you need to do!

 
A young girl explores the rings of Saturn with a telescope.

A young girl explores the rings of Saturn through a telescope.

NPS Photo by Jaclyn Waggoner

Be a Junior Ranger Night Explorer!

Throughout the year, the park hosts astronomy programs at the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center and other sites. Join us for telescopic tours of the moon, planets, and other galactic wonders! Kid-sized scopes are available, and technical help is available for those who bring their own telescopes. Check this space for program announcements.

 
A park ranger and his trusty horse on patrol.

A park ranger heads out on horse patrol.

NPS

See what Rangers do!

Have you ever thought about what park rangers do while on duty? Click here to check out our park ranger photo gallery and explore rangers in action in our national parks!

Did You Know?

Cerro Rendija is a shield volcano

Cerro Rendija volcano, just west of Big Tubes in El Malpais National Monument, is a good example of a shield volcano. Low viscosity lava spread out rapidly from the vent and kept the volcano from gaining much vertical height. More...