Amazing scenery. Spectacular views and highly recommend. Definitely worth a visit. Had a wonderful time exploring this park.Full review by Daydream821715
May 12, 2024
Did the tail in El Calderon. Trail was NOT well marked at times when you get to back (near the cinder cone). On way back, walked on dirt road. Some scenery but overall, not a lot to see based on l…Full review by jeff77664
Apr 17, 2024
The road to many hikes is off exit 89 off Interstate 40. We hiked on Narrows Trail, which was beautiful. We also recommend a stop at Visitor Center off exit 85. Excellent short video that explains t…Full review by Ed S
My girlfriend and I will be road-tripping from NM to AZ next week and hitting NPS sites along the way. We've currently only got a couple hours budgeted to El Malpais NM. Any recommendations on what to do for 3 hours? Should we adjust our plans to stay longer? Really want to make sure we experience the true beauty of the park. Thanks!
A:
I agree with JerryH990. 3 hours should be enough to tour the monument. As Jerry said, the Lava hike is very interesting, but the footing is very uneven and you need to be careful to …
I agree with JerryH990. 3 hours should be enough to tour the monument. As Jerry said, the Lava hike is very interesting, but the footing is very uneven and you need to be careful to follow the trail markers. Good hiking shoes or boots and maybe a hiking stick should be all you need. Worth the time.
The Park area is very slightly south and very slightly east of Grants, NM. The turnoff is easy to miss if you are traveling I-40 and zipping along at the speed limit. Especially if many …
The Park area is very slightly south and very slightly east of Grants, NM. The turnoff is easy to miss if you are traveling I-40 and zipping along at the speed limit. Especially if many trucks are on the road. What I would recommend, if you are seriously interested, is stopping at a gas station in Grants (they are on each side of I-40) and actually asking someone how to get to the National Park Service building. Then find that and talk with a ranger before heading out on your own. You can also write to the Park Service look it up online and call or write to the Park Service location there. There is so much history, and so much to see in the Grants area, that a couple of good maps, along with guidance from one of the rangers, will make it much more interesting and really save you time in the long run. Please remember, much of the area around Grants belongs to the Laguna people, and some of it is sacred according to their traditions. For the best experience, I would advise making an extra effort to understand the area and its history before heading out.
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Frequently asked questions
Q:
Where are the Ice Caves and Bandera Crater?
A:
Although these features are within the monument's legislated boundary, they are privately owned and operated. Visit www.icecaves.com for more information on this area.
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