El Malpais National Monument - New Mexico

Address:Grants, New Mexico
Tel: (505) 285-4641

Attractions in El Malpais include its many deep caves, a 17-mile-long lava tube structure, natural sandstone arches, Anasazi ruins, and sensational viewing points including the outstanding Sandstone Bluffs Overlook and Cerro Encierro. The most recent lava flow originated from McCarty's Crater within the last 2,000 to 3,000 years, so the park is technically a geologically active area. Human history in El Malpais dates back more than 10,000 years, as evidenced by numerous archeological findings throughout the park.
Several fascinating cave tours are available to experience the unique cave geology and experience the diversity of life blossoming in the lava tubes. Junction Cave and Four Windows Cave are great for those with less caving experience.
There are many great hiking paths throughout the monument as well, all traversing breathtaking scenery. The challenging Zuni-Acoma Trail is a fantastic way to get up close to four of the park's five lava flows. La Ventana Arch, the largest of New Mexico's accessible natural sandstone arches, is another very popular site.

El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area was established in 1987 and is a relative newcomer to the National Park System. This monument preserves 114,277 acres of which 109,260 acres are federal and 5,017 acres are private. El Malpais means "the badlands" but contrary to its name this unique area holds many surprises, many of which researchers are now unraveling. Volcanic features such as lava flows, cinder cones, pressure ridges and complex lava tube systems dominate the landscape. Closer inspection reveals unique ecosystems with complex relationships. Sandstone bluffs and mesas border the eastern side, providing access to vast wilderness. For more than 10,000 years people have interacted with the El Malpais landscape. Historic and archeological sites provide reminders of past times. More than mere artifacts, these cultural resources are kept alive by the spiritual and physical presence of contemporary Indian groups, including the Puebloan peoples of Acoma, Laguna,and Zuni, and the Ramah Navajo. These tribes continue their ancestral uses of El Malpais including gathering herbs and medicines, paying respect, and renewing ties.