Current NPS alerts (3)
NPS 300 Road Conditions
NPS 300 to Big Tubes has not been evaluated since the most recent thunderstorms. A high clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. The road past Big Tubes is very rough and only accessible to high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles.
All lava tube caves closed November 1 through April 30
All park lava tube caves are closed for the winter from November 1 through April 30 to protect hibernating bats.
El Calderon Trail closed for construction through November 2026
The El Calderon Trail and parking area are closed from August 2025 through November 2026 for a major improvement project. NPS Road 100 will remain open for local traffic only, and the Continental Divide Trail will remain open for CDT thru-hikers.
Weather alerts (National Weather Service)
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 24 at 6:53PM MDT until October 24 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 24 at 6:38PM MDT until October 25 at 3:30PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM
About this site
The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais (el-mal-pie-EES) offers solitude, recreation, and adventure. Explore incredible geologic features such as young lava flows, cinder cones, lava tubes, and sandstone bluffs. While some may see a desolate environment, people have been adapting to and living in this extraordinary terrain for generations. Come visit the land of frozen fire!
- Type
- National Monument
- State
- New Mexico
- Address
- 1900 E. Santa Fe Ave., Grants, NM 87020