El Malpais
Getting There -- You can take one of two approaches to El Malpais, via NM 117 or NM 53. NM 117 exits I-40 7 miles east of Grants.
Visitor Information -- Admission to El Malpais is free (unless you're visiting the privately owned Ice Caves), and it's open to visitors year-round. The visitor center, off Route 53 between mile markers 63 and 64, is open daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Here you can pick up maps of the park, leaflets on specific trails, and other details about exploring the monument. For more information, contact El Malpais National Monument, NPS, P.O. Box 939, Grants, NM 87020 (tel. 505/285-4641; www.nps.gov/elma).
El Morro
Getting There -- El Morro is 43 miles west of Grants on NM 53.
Visitor Information -- For information, contact El Morro National Monument, HC61, Box 43, Ramah, NM 87321-9603 (tel. 505/783-4226; www.nps.gov/elmo). Admission to El Morro is $3 per person 16 and older. Self-guided trail booklets are available at the visitor center (turn off NM 53 at the El Morro sign and travel approximately a half mile), open year-round from 9am to 5pm. Trails are also open year-round; check with the visitor center for hours. A museum at the visitor center features exhibits on the 700 years of human activity at El Morro. A 15-minute video gives a good introduction to the park. Also within the visitor center is a bookstore where you can pick up souvenirs and informational books. It takes approximately 2 hours to visit the museum and hike the trails. The park is closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
