Map: El Malpais NM Recreation Guide - NM990

El Malpais, which means "the badlands" in Spanish, is the historical name given to the lava flows near Grants, New Mexico. El Malpais is one of the best examples of a recent volcanic landscape in the continental United States. It includes a 263,000-acre National Conservation Area and a 115,000-acre National Monument, two wilderness areas, a historic trail, Chain of Craters Back Country Byway, and La Ventana natural arch. Camping, hiking, biking, scenic driving, 4Wheel driving, and picnicking are possible.See El Morro National Monument. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail(hiking) passes through El Malpais. Revised 2008 edition shows land status, roads, trails. Scale is 1:100,000