National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
El Malpais National MonumentA panoramic view from Sandstone Bluffs
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
El Malpais National Monument
Visitor Centers
 
Three visitor centers are in the El Malpais region: two are National Park Service facilities and the Bureau of Land Management has one on the east side of the monument.
 
The Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center in Grants.

NPS

The Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center is located off Interstate 40, Exit 85, in Grants, New Mexico.

Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center

The center has USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service staff on duty to help the traveler to the region. Call them at 505-876-2783 for your travel planning needs or click here for the center's page.
 
The Information Center on Highway 53

NPS

The Information Center is on Highway 53 near the Continental Divide.

El Malpais Information Center (NPS)

The center is located 23 miles southwest of Interstate 40 (exit 81) on NM 53. Exhibits show the different aged lava flows, aerial perspectives and the natural history of the monument. The center is open from 8:30-4:30 from Friday through Tuesday, and closed Wednesday - Thursday. The water spigot outside will still be available for CDT hikers Wednesday and Thursday. Call 505-783-4774 and our knowledgeable staff can assist you.
 
The BLM's ranger station on Highway 117

NPS

The BLM Ranger Station is on Highway 117 along the east side of the monument.

El Malpais Ranger Station (BLM)

Located about nine miles south of Interstate 40 (exit 89), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ranger Station serves as the gateway to the El Malpais National Conservation Area. The station is open from 8:30 to 4:30 daily. For more information about the conservation area, contact the BLM at 505-280-2918, write to them at PO Box 846, Grants NM 87020, or click here for their website.
A lava moonscape in El Malpais  

Did You Know?
When people say that El Malpais lava country looks like a "moonscape" they aren't far from the truth. Much of the moon is covered with basalt lava flows which form the "maria" or lunar seas. Astronauts trained on lava flows in preparation for walking on the moon.
more...

Last Updated: November 03, 2009 at 12:49 EST