El Malpais Visitor Center
Facility · New Mexico ·
Managed by the National Park Service
El Malpais National Monument (National Monument) · Open Access
- 6,440 ft
- Elevation
Located on exit 85 off I-40 in Grants, NM, the El Malpais Visitor Center is staffed by park rangers from the National Park Service. Stop in for maps, information, orientation, cave permits, a Western National Parks bookstore, museum exhibits, and park movies.
Getting there
Take Exit 85 off I-40 in Grants, NM. If coming from the east, turn left at the stop sign, and proceed across the freeway overpass. If coming from the west, turn right at the stop sign. Turn left at the entrance sign to the El Malpais Visitor Center. Continue 300 yards to the parking area.
35.11865, -107.82885 · 35°7'7.1"N 107°49'43.9"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about El Malpais Visitor Center
- Can you reserve a site at El Malpais Visitor Center?
- No. El Malpais Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near El Malpais Visitor Center
- Coal Mine 10.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lobo Canyon Picnic ground 8.7 mi · Campground
- Joe Skeen Campground 12.3 mi · Campground
- Ojo Redondo Campground 16 mi · Facility
- El Morro Campground 29.3 mi · Campground
- El Morro Visitor Center 29.9 mi · Facility
- McGaffey Campground 42.9 mi · Campground
- Quaking Aspen Campground 44.8 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone (505) 876-2783
- Email elma_social_media@nps.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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