Bat Cave and Xenolith Cave are parts of a lava tube system created by lava flows from nearby El Calderon Cinder Cone in El Malpais National Monument. Bat Cave is an important habitat for bats, and during the summer, thousands of bats can be seen flying out of bat cave at dusk to feed on insects.
As one of the largest lava tube caves within El Malpais National Monument, Big Skylight Cave is sure to impress anyone who comes across it's massive passageway.
Begin your journey into a volcanic landscape at the Big Tubes Trailhead. Be prepared to encounter rough basaltic terrain and witness massive lava tube features.
Lava trenches, like this trench along the El Calderon Trail at El Malpais National Monument, form when lava tubes collapse during or shortly after eruption.
Start your journey through El Malpais at the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center. Here you'll find information, rangers, a bookstore, and restroom, all to get you a head start on your adventure.
Wildfire is a naturally occurring and necessary process that historically occurred in the forests of El Malpais every eight to ten years. After decades of fire suppression practices, the park now strives to replicate the natural wildfire cycle by conducting prescribed burns to burn excess fuel and reset the natural forest ecology.
Explore the Bandera Crater and Ice Cave at this privately owned site within El Malpais National Monument. An entrance fee is required to visit this incredible lava landscape.
Junction Cave is a lava tube created by the lava flows from nearby El Calderon Cinder Cone. At 115,000 years old, this is one of the oldest lava tubes in El Malpais National Monument.
La Ventana Natural Arch within El Malpais National Conservation Area (Bureau of Land Management) is a spectacular natural sandstone arch just off of Highway 117 adjacent to El Malpais National Monument.
Start your hike across the youngest lava flow at El Malpais National Monument at the Lava Falls Trailhead. This trailhead features a vault toilet, picnic tables, and interpretive signage to utilize before heading out on the one-mile Lava Falls Trail loop.
At Sandstone Bluffs, every direction you turn gives you a different view with a new feature to focus on. Below the bluffs are the lava flows of El Malpais. To the north is a dramatic view of Mount Taylor. Below your feet is Dakota Sandstone that contrasts with the dark lava flows farther below where you stand. If you enjoy sweeping vistas, Sandstone Bluffs is the place to be for a sunset or a cloudless afternoon.
El Calderon is a 115,000 year old cinder cone in El Malpais National Monument. From the El Calderon Summit, take a short 0.8 mile hike around the rim of El Calderon and look down into the eroded core of an ancient volcano.
The west-side start of the Zuni-Acoma Trail. If you want to take on the challenge of one of the most difficult trails in the area, this is one of two places where you can get started.
