Operating Hours & Seasons

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Park Hours

El Malpais National Monument is open year-round. Trails and trailheads are open 24 hours a day with the exception of Sandstone Bluffs Overlook which is open from sunrise to sunset. No overnight camping or parking is permitted at trailhead parking areas.

The El Malpais Visitor Center and parking area at Exit 85 off I-40 are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 7 days a week during summer months and Thursday through Monday during the winter. No overnight parking is permitted at the visitor center parking lot.

Access to backcountry areas can vary throughout the year. Many of the dirt roads can become impassable after summer rains or winter snowfall. Contact a park ranger during visitor center hours at 505-876-2783 for current road conditions and trail information.

 

 

El Malpais Visitor Center Hours

Summer Hours

From May through late October, the El Malpais Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The parking lot is closed nightly at 5:00 pm.

Winter Hours

From late October through April, the El Malpais Visitor Center is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Thursday through Monday. The visitor center is CLOSED Tuesday and Wednesday. The visitor center is also closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, and January 1st. Check park alerts for exact seasonal closure dates.

The rest of the park is still open even when the visitor center is closed.