El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center

NPS Photo NPS Photo

NPS Photo NPS Photo

EXPLORE:

Visit the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center located at 1900 East Santa Fe Avenue in Grants, NM. Plan your park visit with friendly park rangers. The visitor center offers engaging exhibits, area movie, Junior Ranger activities for kids of all ages, a passport stamp station, and the park store filled with unique gifts and souvenirs. Open daily in the summer from 9 am to 5 pm. Winter hours vary. For more information on hours, directions, hiking, and programs visit www.nps.gov/elma.

Enjoy El Morro National Monument located off Hwy. 53 just a short 45 minute drive southwest of Grants, NM. Informed park rangers and volunteers can help you plan your visit to the park. Watch the park movie, view the exhibits, attend a ranger talk, visit the park store filled with unique gifts and souvenirs, and hike the trails. For more information on hours, directions, hiking, programs, and camping visit www.nps.gov/elmo.

FOOD & DRINK: Ancient Way Cafe El Morro RV Park and Cabin Rental Ramah, New Mexico

Chu Chu’s Restaurant 1344 State Highway 53 Zuni, New Mexico

OUTDOORS:

Adventure awaits on the lava flows of El Malpais. Enjoy scenic drives, beautiful overlooks, and miles of hiking trails across 60,000 years of lava flows. Sandstone Bluffs overlook juxtaposes sandstone and fields of lava with views of Mount Taylor in the distance. Popular trails include Lava Falls, El Calderon, Continental Divide, Acoma-Zuni Trail, and the Big Tubes area. Trails range from easy to difficult. Be prepared with a GPS and/or map, water, snacks, sun protection and sturdy hiking boots for walking over rough lava rock.

El Morro trails are open from 9-4. Be prepared with water, sun protection, and wear closed-toed shoes. The easy half-mile paved Inscription Trail takes visitors past hundreds of Spanish and Anglo inscriptions. This trail leads to the unpaved Headland Trail, a 2-mile, 250 foot elevation gain train, to the top of the cuesta. Spectacular views of the Zuni Mountains, volcanic craters, and the valley below are a few of the rewards of this trail. Stop pat the ~700 year-old ancestral pueblo of Atsinna before heading back to the visitor center.

PLACES TO STAY:

El Morro National Monument’s campground has nine individual sites with two vault toilets open year round. Sites are available by selfregistration on a first-come first-served basis and are free. Reservations are not accepted, and no group sites are available.

REASON TO VISIT:

El Malpais National Monument is 85% wilderness. Visitors can experience undeveloped areas, solitude, and untrammeled landscapes to truly leave modern life behind.

El Morro National Monument’s human history is detailed and surprising. The park is a designated International Dark Sky Park where one can view vibrant night skies.

For More Information: Lisa Dittman

Program Manager Visitor Services and Education • El Malpais and El Morro National Monuments 505-285-4641 ext. 218