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

    El Malpais

    National Monument New Mexico

  • All caves in El Malpais National Monument are closed to recreational use.

    This closure is due to a combination of factors including the outbreak of a fungal disease that is killing millons of bats. Read more at our Nature and Science page. More »

Accessibility

El Malpais features extremely rugged lava terrain.

NPS Photo

A hiker treks through rough lava country.

Fully Accessible Facilities

The Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center has universal design features: accessible parking spaces, ramped sidewalks and walkways, accessible picnic tables, automatic doors, and accessible restrooms. The theater features captioning for videos and assistive listening equipment.

The El Malpais Information Center features accessible parking, paved walkway, and accessible restrooms.

The BLM Ranger Station features accessible parking, paved walkways, and accessible restrooms.

Activities

Scenic driving will take visitors to good views of many features in the park. The parking areas at Lava Falls on Highway 117 and the Zuni-Acoma Trail on Highway 53 are accessible. Other trailheads have gravel or dirt parking areas and are accessible with assistance. Trails in the area are not accessible due to the extremely rugged nature of the terrain.

Did You Know?

A Western Diamondback rattlesnake in the desert

The Western Diamondback rattlesnake is one of several species of rattlesnake that inhabit the high desert of El Malpais. Like all wildlife in the park, they are protected and should be given space and respect. More...