El Malpais National Monument New Mexico

El Malpais National Monument is located in the Zuni Mountain in New Mexico and is the sight of many interesting volcanic features. The name El Malpais is Spanish in origin and literally means the "badlands." The area is composed of two wilderness areas: the West Malpais and the Cebolla area. The attraction was embraced in 1987 as being a meaningful place of natural scenic history and has been recently preserved by the National Park System. The El Malpais National Monument covers over 114,000 acres of land, most of which is owned by the federal government. The area is so large that most visitors stop at ranger stations to pick up maps, literature, and other helpful information. Visitors to the park are encouraged to wear sturdy hiking boots, pack water and gear for inclement weather, and ensure that a day pack with first aid, sunscreen, and snacks are also available. The monument is estimated to be between 2000-3000 years old but the area's exact age is unknown.

The park is used to educate the public about natural history, volcanoes, geology, and geography. Each area of the land has been researched by scientists and archeologist over the years. Researchers are still unraveling all that the El Malpais National Monument has to offer the world. Some of the volcanic remnants that can be found at the monument include lava flows, pressure ridges, cinder cones, and tube systems which almost dominate the landscape of the area. Scientists and ecologists who frequent El Malpais are interested in the complex relationships shared by multiple ecosystems within the conservation area. The El Malpais National Monument ranges in elevation and starts at 6500 feet with its highest point being 8300 feet. A scenic overlook from the high point is located on the east side of El Malpais. The natural terrain in El Malpais is substantially rocky making it difficult for natural trails to be furnished throughout the area. Some of the other attractions in the area include a 17 mile-long tube structure, natural arches of sandstone, deep caves, and the Anasazi Ruins.

El Malpais National Monument is protected by the Conservation society and the federal government. Visitors to the area are not allowed to move any artifacts, plants, or animals and any hunting or trapping done in the conservation requires a state license.

Local contemporary Native American groups still play a prominent role in the conservation area. Different tribes such as the Puebloan peoples of Acoma, Ramah Navajo, Laguna, and Zuni tribes all visit the area to gather herbs, pay respects to the place that was once inhabited by their ancestors, and renew bonds. The ancestral ties that various Native American groups have with the El Malpais National Monument are of great interest to anthropologists. The monument is consistently open to the public with the exception of major holidays.

Visitors to the El Malpais National Monument that want additional information before touring the conservation area can attend the El Malpais Information Center. The Information Center has various exhibits that focus on natural history, geology, local art work, cultural topics and volcanoes. Special programs are held at the exhibit during the summer months and various hikes and demonstrations also have their starting point at the Information Center.