El Malpais National Monument
11 nearby · 1 free and dispersed site within 25 mi
Photo: NPS Kristi Rugg
2 current alerts
As of Sep 20, 2026 · from nps.gov
- CautionNPS 300 Road ConditionsNPS 300 to Big Tubes is wet with a few areas of standing water. A high clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. The road past Big Tubes is very rough and only accessible to high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles.
- Park closureEl Calderon Trail closed for construction through September 2026The El Calderon Trail and parking area are closed from August 2025 through September 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.
At a glance
- Open
- Year-round
- Near the park
- 11 campgroundsWithin 25 mi
- Free and dispersed
- 1 siteWithin 25 mi
Where to camp
Camping near the park 11
- Aerial viewPublic Land
Joe Skeen Malpais Campground
11 mi · San Rafael, NM
- Aerial viewCampground
Group Campsite
11 mi · San Rafael, NM
Free and dispersed nearby 1
See them on the mapAbout El Malpais
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…
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!
Photos: NPS Photo/ Maci MacPherson
Things to do
- Arts and Culture
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Astronomy
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Caving
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Plan your visit
Getting there
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…
Weather
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…
Plan your visit
Hours
El Malpais National Monument is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the following exceptions: - Sandstone Bluffs Overlook and the West Zuni-Acoma Trail parking lot are open from sunrise to sunset. - El Malpais Visitor Center and parking area is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Winter hours may vary. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, and January 1st. - El Malpais Emergency Operations Center is currently closed to the public.
Getting there
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.
Weather
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
Camped at El Malpais? You could be the first to say which site you'd pick again.
Reviews, photos and cell signal reports from real stays help the next camper choose.