El Malpais National Monument
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure.
Photo: NPS Kristi Rugg / NPS
About El Malpais National Monument
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!
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Driving times from El Malpais National Monument, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
El Malpais National Monument
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
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
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at El Malpais National Monument?
- Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of El Malpais National Monument?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach El Morro National Monument (2 h 10 min), Petroglyph National Monument (3 h 39 min), Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site (4 h), Petrified Forest National Park (4 h 17 min), Chaco Culture National Historical Park (4 h 21 min), El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail (4 h 44 min).