El Malpais National Conservation Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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El Malpais National Conservation Area

If you are near Grants, New Mexico, plan an adventure to El Malpais National Conservation Area. When you first arrive, you may see a desolate environment, but once you start looking closer, you will discover lava caves, sandstone bluffs, and cinder cones. While there are no designated Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at El Malpais National Conservation Area, you can go primitive camping. This is a super opportunity to experience BLM camping near me when exploring west-central New Mexico. This site is about 315 miles west of Grand Canyon National Park and 355 miles northeast of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Lava Falls Trail

Follow claims along this trail to see pressure ridges, squeeze-ups, and lava toes as you hike this lava-rock trail. Enjoy seeing gorgeous views of McCarty's Crater, one of North America's youngest and longest lava flows. This trail can get very hot in the middle of the day, so it is best hiked at sunrise or sunset. Length: 1 mile Intensity: Moderate

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

This trail starts on the Mexican border near Chihuahua, Mexico and ends at the Canadian border near Alberta, Canada. About 48 miles of this trail runs through El Malpais National Conservation Area and El Malpais National Monument. Usually, people who intend to hike the entire trail visit this site in mid-to-late spring. Length: 3,028 miles Intensity: Strenuous

El Calderon Trail

The first mile of the El Calderon Trail passes by a lava cave, where you can often see Mexican bats flying at sunset. Then, the trail winds through a Ponderosa forest to the top of El Calderon cinder cone. Take the primitive road back to the parking lot at the hike's start, or use the connecting trail to hike the Continental Divide Trail back to the starting point. Length: 4.8 miles Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Bluewater Lake in Bluewater Lake State Park is a terrific place to fish for tiger muskies, rainbow trout, and channel catfish. Motorized and motorized boats are allowed on this lake about 25 miles west of Grants, New Mexico. Anglers have caught trout weighing up to nine pounds in this lake.

Climbing

Many climbers describe the sports climbs at Enchanted Tower in Socorro County, New Mexico as the best in the state. The southeast face of this boulder is easier to climb and lets climbers climb about 200 feet above the ground.

Wildlife Viewing

El Malpais National Conservation Area is a terrific place to go for wildlife viewing. Visitors often see black bears in the ponderosa forests and laugh at the antics of the Gunnison's prairie dogs in meadow areas. You may also see coyotes throughout the conservation area.

Picnicking

The six covered picnic tables and grills at the South Narrows Picnic Area are terrific places for a picnic. Diners often see various birds at this site, which is located a short distance off New Mexico 117. After your picnic, continue your drive along this highway, allowing you to see La Ventana Arch, one of the largest natural arches in New Mexico.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

While there is no designated Bureau of Land Management RV camping available at El Malpais National Conservation Area, there is a small private camping area. Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano offers RV camping, though there are no hookups. There are several campgrounds in the nearby town of Grants. For over 30 years, campers have been staying at Blue Spruce RV Park. Lavaland RV Park offers a laundry and a taproom, and Bar S RV Park is easily accessed from Interstate 40.

Free Camping

Backcountry camping is allowed at El Malpais National Conservation Area. There are also many free campgrounds in the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands. Campers can stay at Black Kettle Campground, which has a boat ramp onto Dead Warrior Lake. Another terrific option is to head about 25 miles southeast of Grants to primitive camp at the Bureau of Land Management free camping option in San Lorenzo Canyon, which is a fantastic place to go hiking and see old ranches and homesteads. The National Park Service operates a free campground at El Morro National Monument, about 50 miles southeast of Grants.

RV Rentals Near El Malpais National Conservation Area Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your El Malpais National Conservation Area BLM trip

El Malpais National Conservation Area is known for its lava tube caves. You should bring sturdy, closed-toed shoes and a good light source when caving. A flashlight or a headlamp offering at least 200 lumens is ideal. Options with spot and distance lighting will give you the most flexibility while exploring. Since these locations are usually cool and damp, you should bring a lightweight waterproof jacket. Park staff also recommend wearing a bump hat while caving. Bicycle and construction helmets can make great choices. The easiest cave to access is Bat Cave, where you can see thousands of Mexican bats exiting on their nightly insect hunting expeditions at night. While you must get a permit from the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center or the El Morro National Monument Visitor Center before exploring nearby Xenolith Cave, you will be intrigued by how non-volcanic and volcanic rock mixed forming the lower passageways in this cave. You will also need a permit to explore Junction Cave. Scientists believe this cave contains more cave-adapted species than most caves, so you should bring a high-powered magnifier to see them because most are very small. El Malpais National Conservation Area is a fantastic place for a boondocking camping trip, where you can go hiking and caving. Nearby, there are terrific climbing and fishing locations. Before setting out on your camping trip, learn more about RV camping by reading this blog.

Leave No Trace

Please do not eat or drink in the caves. Leaving trash behind can damage lava, calcite, and ice formations permanently, so pack out any waste you generate. While visiting this area, you will see hydrophobic bacterial mats, and horizontally stratified microbial communities. It has taken thousands of years for these areas to form, and your trash can destroy them almost instantly, so be sure not to leave anything behind except your footprints. "Leave No Trace" is the kindest way to exit.

El Malpais National Conservation Area Location

Getting to the visitors center at El Malpais National Conservation Area from Grants, New Mexico is easy. Start by getting on U.S. Route 66, which is also West Santa Fe Avenue. Turn left on Cliflear Boulevard, which is also Eury Lane. Go 0.5 miles, and you will see the visitors center on your right. Address: El Malpais National Conservation Area, 1900 East Santa Fe Avenue, Grants, New Mexico 87020 Ready to visit El Malpais National Conservation Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.