The El Calderon Trail and parking area are closed from August 11, 2025, through July 31, 2026, for a major improvement project. NPS Road 100 will remain open for local traffic only, and the Continental Divide Trail will remain open for CDT thru-hikers.
Full details →+2 more active alerts
Expert Verdict & Insider Tips
For anyone traveling through New Mexico, El Malpais National Monument provides a refreshing and educational outdoor adventure. This national monument is highly recommended for visitors who want to learn about the area's heritage while enjoying scenic trails and local wildlife.
About El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais National Monument is a national monument located in New Mexico. As a general rule, daily temperatures swing roughly 30 (F) from night lows to afternoon highs. Summer is sunny and hot with monsoon rain storms and an average high of 80 (F). Winter is cool, sunny, with potential snow storms and an average high of 45 (F). Spring and fall are generally dry with the occasional storm rain and/or snow storm. For more information on weather and current weather conditions visit https://www.nps.gov/elma/planyourvisit/weather.htm
No roads exist through El Malpais National Monument. To explore the east side of the park, take exit 89 off I-40 and head south on Highway 117. To explore the north side of the park, take exit 81 off I-40 and head south on Highway 53. To reach the visitor center, take exit 85 off I-40 in Grants, New Mexico. After you exit, head south on Santa Fe Ave and continue straight over the freeway overpass. Take a left at the entrance sign for El Malpais Visitor Center and continue 300 yards to the parking lot.
💰 Entrance Fees & Passes
Entry to El Malpais is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.
🥾 Things to Do
El Malpais National Monument offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, and 13 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.
📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist
Custom items selected for activities at El Malpais
📋 Visitor Planning Tips for El Malpais
- →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of El Malpais before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
- →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 3 active alerts for El Malpais. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
- →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding El Malpais get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
- →Altitude & Hydration: The thin air and dry heat in this region will dehydrate you quickly. Pack at least 3 to 4 liters of water per person per day and pack electrolyte replacements.
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes, and sandstone bluffs. While some may see a desolate environment, people have been adapting to and living in this extraordinary terrain for generations. Come visit the land of frozen fire!
Seasonal Visitor Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about El Malpais
About the Author
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.
More Parks Nearby
Butterfield Overland
In 1857, businessman and transportation entrepreneur John Butterfield was awarded a contract to establish an overland mail route between the…
Capulin Volcano
Part of the 8,000 square mile Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field, Capulin Volcano showcases the volcanic geology of northeastern New Mexico. The…
Carlsbad Caverns
High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden…
Chaco Culture
Explore the monumental structures and breathtaking landscape at Chaco, a thriving regional center for the ancestral Pueblo people from 850…
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Travel along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail to experience and learn from a complicated legacy of…
Fort Union
Exposed to the wind, within a sweeping valley of short grass prairie, and along the eroded Santa Fe Trail, lie…