Memorial Day weekend ranger programs at El Malpais 

Come to El Malpais National Monument for a ranger program this Memorial Day weekend! All programs are free of charge and weather dependent. Be sure to bring water, sun protection, and comfortable hiking shoes.

Overlook Observations with a Ranger - Friday, May 22, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Take in the early evening scenic views at Sandstone Bluffs Overlook. Park rangers will be at the overlook to answer questions about the landscape and share information on some of the plants and wildlife found around the bluffs. Stay until sunset to watch the sun dip behind the Zuni Mountains. Sandstone Bluffs Overlook is located 19 miles south of Grants on Highway 117. 

Lava Falls Evening Hike - Saturday, May 23, 5:00-7:00 pm

Come hike with a ranger to discover the story behind a land of stunning lava features, intriguing plants, and hidden water on New Mexico's youngest lava flow. The hike consists of a 1.1-mile loop trail marked by rock cairns. The entire hike is on young lava rock. Most of the flow is smooth, but there is some stepping up and down required. The Lava Falls Trailhead is located 37 miles south of Grants on Highway 117.

Zuni-Acoma Trail Guided Hike - Sunday, May 24, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Take a guided hike with a ranger and discover the hidden life, diversity, and resilience thriving on the Twin Craters lava flow. The first part of the hike is through grassland along a dirt trail. Eventually, the trail turns into a cairn-marked route across rubbly lava flows with loose rocks. The guided portion of the hike will cover about the first 1.5 - 2 miles of the trail and return to the parking area along the same route. The Zuni-Acoma West Trailhead is 16 miles south of Grants on Highway 53, just past mile marker 70.

Please contact us at 505-876-2783 or email ELMA_Social_Media@nps.gov with any questions.