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El Malpais National Monument

El Malpais National Monument is located eight miles southwest of Grants in northwestern New Mexico. The name is a Spanish translation of "badlands", referring to the volcanic features that dominate this region. A lava tube cave system extends for more than 17 miles.

Must-see attractions nearby:
Hours
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips
Free permits for overnight camping are available at the Visitor Center. Open fire restrictions in the summer. Carry all the water you need.

Related Attractions

Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway
Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway is a 36-mile long route through ancient volcanic landscape at El Malpais National Monument.
El Malpais - Big Skylight Cave
Big Skylight Cave at El Malpais National Park is named for the large opening in the roof. The cave is 600 feet long, and 50 feet high near the entrance.
Tips
Bring hard hats, boots, protective clothing, gloves, water, and three sources of light.
El Malpais - Casamero Pueblo
Casamero Pueblo has ruins of a Chacoan Anasazi settlement from the 11th and 12th centuries.
El Malpais - Hole in the Wall
The Hole-In-The-Wall is a 6,700 acre island of fertile ground. There are species of animal and plant life that would be unable to survive in the surrounding lava flows.
El Malpais - Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano
The temperature of the Ice Caves, collapsed lava tubes in El Malpais National Monument, never rises above 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Bandera is an inactive volcano that erupted 10,000 years ago and provides an example of a volcanic eruption.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open8:008:008:008:008:008:008:00
CloseSunsetSunsetSunsetSunsetSunsetSunsetSunset
Cost
Adult$ 9.00
Senior over 65$ 7.00
Child 12 & under$ 4.00
Child 5 & underFREE
All values are in United States Dollars
El Malpais - Ice Caves Trading Post
Ice Cave Trading Post in El Malpais National Monument has artifacts from ancient and contemporary Indian cultures.
El Malpais - Lava Wall
The highest lava wall at El Malpais National Monument is over 100 feet high in some places. Plant life is able to grow thanks to moisture collected in some of the wall pockets.
El Malpias - Four Windows Cave
Four Windows Cave at El Malpais National Monument gets its name from the openings in the roof.
Tips
Bring hard hats, boots, protective clothing, gloves, water, and three sources of light.
Grants - El Malpais Visitor Center
The Visitor Center for El Malpais National Monument is located in Grants.
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Natural arch at El Malpais National Monument.
Sandstone cliffs at El Malpais National Monument.
Lava rock at El Malpais National Monument.
Sandstone bluffs at El Malpais National Monument.
A watering hole at El Malpais National Monument.
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