National park · United States
El Malpais National Monument
Go if you want lava you can walk on: drive NM 117 for La Ventana Arch and Sandstone Bluffs, hike the Zuni-Acoma Trail early, and enter caves only with a free permit and three lights. No entrance fee.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
463 km²179 sq mi
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 463 km²179 sq mi
- 114,277 acres for the national monument; the adjacent national conservation area adds about 263,000 acres (check).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
El Malpais protects a black sea of young lava flows, cinder cones and lava-tube caves, edged on the east by sandstone bluffs and mesas. It is a national monument of about 114,277 acres, with a BLM conservation area of roughly 263,000 acres alongside it. There is no entrance fee and no lodge: you drive in from Grants, walk on sharp rock, and carry all your water. The caves are the draw for some, the arch and overlooks for everyone else.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1987.
Size and age
463 km²179 sq mi · national park since 1987
114,277 acres for the national monument; the adjacent national conservation area adds about 263,000 acres (check).
Why go
- Walk across lava flows that look like nothing else in the Southwest, with few other people around.
- La Ventana Natural Arch is the largest easily reached natural arch in New Mexico, a short walk off NM 117.
- Four lava-tube caves are open with a free permit, from an easy mile-long walk to a crawl-and-climb route.
- Sandstone Bluffs Overlook gives the classic view over the lava field and the cliffs that border it.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, snow possible; NM 53 and dirt roads may close
- FebCold nights; ice on rock
- MarMild days, wind
- AprWarm, dry, clear
- MayWarm; dry before the monsoon
- JunHot; afternoon storms start
- JulMonsoon; lightning on the lava
- AugWettest month; flash floods in washes
- SepStorms ease; good walking
- OctCool, dry, stable
- NovCool and clear; short days
- DecCold; snow and ice
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden eagles, red-tailed hawks and prairie falconsMar–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mule deer, elk and coyotesOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Rattlesnakes and scorpionsApr–Oct · They shelter under rocks; look before you reach or step. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bats in the lava-tube cavesMay–Sep · Disinfect gear and follow any seasonal cave closures. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Grants
I-40 exit 85 to the visitor center, or exit 89 for NM 117 (east side) and exit 81 for NM 53 (west side).
20–40 min
From Albuquerque
I-25 north to I-40 west, then as above; rent the car at the airport.
1.5–2 h
From El Morro National Monument
NM 53 east from El Morro to the monument's western side.
45 min–1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern side (NM 117) | La Ventana Arch, Sandstone Bluffs Overlook, the Narrows and the BLM ranger station. | Open; paved highway, short walks. |
| Western side (NM 53) | El Malpais Information Center, Junction and Xenolith caves, the big lava flows. | Open; the information center is seasonal. |
| Backcountry (County Road 42) | Big Skylight and Giant Ice caves, primitive dirt roads and long lava walks. | High-clearance or 4WD only; impassable when wet. |
| El Malpais National Conservation Area | BLM land around the monument, with the free Sandstone Bluffs and Narrows camping. | Open; no permit for backcountry use. |
Sketch map
- 1El Malpais Visitor Center, Grants · Headquarters≈35.119, -107.829NPS visitor center off I-40 exit 85; permits and maps.Map ↗
- 2El Malpais Information Center (NM 53) · Ranger station≈34.992, -108.037Seasonal; cave permits and restrooms.Map ↗
- 3La Ventana Natural Arch · Viewpoint≈34.869, -107.891Map ↗
- 4Sandstone Bluffs Overlook · Viewpoint≈34.945, -107.920Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Junction Cave · Cave≈34.970, -108.030Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Big Skylight Cave · Cave≈34.920, -108.090Approximate; backcountry off County Road 42.Map ↗
- 7Bandera Crater Ice Caves · Cave≈34.993, -108.081Private attraction inside the monument boundary.Map ↗
- 8Grants · Town≈35.148, -107.852Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance to El Malpais National Monument | Free | person | No entrance fee for the monument or the BLM conservation area (check). |
| Caving permit | Free | person | Free, but required in advance for the open caves; get it at a visitor center. |
| Backcountry use permit (monument) | Free | person | Free; not required in the conservation area. |
| Bandera Crater Ice Caves (private, inside the monument boundary) | US$7–15 | person | 2026 estimate; privately run, separate from NPS sites. |
| Camping near Sandstone Bluffs and The Narrows (BLM) | Free | site | Primitive, no fee; no water or hookups. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Cave entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping (monument) permit or guide
Gear disinfection permit or guide
Park rules
- Cave permits
- Only four caves are open to the public and all need a free permit obtained in advance; check the caving policy at a visitor center.
- Lights
- Carry at least three independent light sources and a helmet; a lost light in a lava tube is a serious emergency.
- Stay out of closed caves
- Do not enter gated or unpermitted caves; some are closed for bat protection.
- Dirt roads
- County Road 42 and backcountry roads are for high-clearance or 4WD vehicles and may be impassable when wet.
- Ordnance near McCarty's Crater
- The area was once a bombing range; do not touch any metal object that could be munitions, and report it to rangers.
- Water and litter
- No water is available in the park; carry at least a gallon per person per day and pack out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
Grants
The practical base: motels, restaurants, groceries and the NPS visitor center, about 10 miles north of the park.
Near the park
Sandstone Bluffs camping (BLM)
Free primitive sites off NM 117 in the conservation area; no water, no services.
Near the park
The Narrows camping (BLM)
Four miles south of La Ventana Arch on NM 117; primitive, free.
In the park
Backcountry camping
Allowed in the monument with a free permit; no water and no established sites.
Safety
Getting lost on the lava high
Heat and exposure high
Lightning and flash floods in monsoon medium
Cave injury medium
Winter snow and ice medium
Accessibility
- The visitor center in Grants, La Ventana Arch trail and Sandstone Bluffs Overlook are the easiest stops for limited mobility; the arch trail is short but uneven.
- Lava terrain, cave floors and the Zuni-Acoma Trail are rough and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Disinfect caving gear to prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome among bats.
- Do not collect lava rock, artefacts or plants; the landscape and its archeological sites are protected.
- Carry out everything you carry in, including food scraps, and use the vault toilets at trailheads.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter El Malpais National Monument?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee for the national monument or the surrounding BLM conservation area. Cave permits and backcountry permits are also free, though the privately run Bandera Crater Ice Caves charges its own admission (2026 estimate US$7–15).
What are the best hikes in El Malpais National Monument?
For most visitors: the short walk to La Ventana Natural Arch and the drive-up Sandstone Bluffs Overlook. For a real day out, the Zuni-Acoma Trail runs about 7.5 miles one way over four lava flows and takes 5–7 hours; the Lava Falls Area is a shorter cairned route over lava. All of it is rough, exposed and waterless.
When is the best time to visit El Malpais National Monument?
April, May, September and October: warm or cool days, dry rock and stable weather. July and August bring monsoon storms and lightning on the lava; December to February can bring snow and closed roads.
Do I need a permit for the caves?
Yes. Only four caves are open and each needs a free permit, obtained in advance from the El Malpais Visitor Center in Grants or the El Malpais Information Center on NM 53. Ask for the current caving policy, and disinfect gear if you have been in another cave.
Can I camp in El Malpais?
Yes. Backcountry camping in the monument needs a free permit; in the conservation area no permit is required. The BLM's primitive sites near Sandstone Bluffs and at The Narrows are free and have no water or services. There are no hotels in the park; most people sleep in Grants.
Is El Malpais worth visiting if I am not a caver?
Yes. The lava landscape, La Ventana Arch and Sandstone Bluffs Overlook are the main sights and need no permit. Pair it with El Morro National Monument on NM 53 for a full day.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go