El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area was established in 1987 and is a relative newcomer to the National Park System. This monument preserves 114,277 acres of which 109,260 acres are federal and 5,017 acres are private. El Malpais means "the badlands" but contrary to its name this unique area holds many surprises, many of which researchers are now unraveling. Volcanic features such as lava flows, cinder cones, pressure ridges and complex lava tube systems dominate the landscape. Closer inspection reveals unique ecosystems with complex relationships. Sandstone bluffs and mesas border the eastern side, providing access to vast wilderness.

For more than 10,000 years people have interacted with the El Malpais landscape. Historic and archeological sites provide reminders of past times. More than mere artifacts, these cultural resources are kept alive by the spiritual and physical presence of contemporary Indian groups, including the Puebloan peoples of Acoma, Laguna,and Zuni, and the Ramah Navajo. These tribes continue their ancestral uses of El Malpais including gathering herbs and medicines, paying respect, and renewing ties.

Operating Hours & Seasons

The monument is always open to visitors except for the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook that closes at dusk. El Malpais Information Center is open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time, but is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.