El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico offers families an otherworldly adventure across 114,000 acres of ancient lava flows, cinder cones, and mysterious lava tubes. This unique landscape, whose name means 'badlands' in Spanish, provides an incredible outdoor classroom where kids can explore volcanic geology and discover traces of Ancestral Puebloan culture.
Junior Ranger Program at El Malpais National Monument
The Junior Ranger program at El Malpais challenges young explorers to investigate volcanic features, learn about desert adaptations, and understand how people have lived in this harsh environment for thousands of years. Kids complete activities focused on geology, archaeology, and desert ecology while earning their official Junior Ranger badge through hands-on exploration of this fascinating volcanic landscape.
- Exploring accessible lava tubes and ice caves
- Learning about volcanic formations and how lava flows shaped the land
- Discovering ancient Ancestral Puebloan sites and petroglyphs
Planning Your Visit
Van Life Tip: The visitor center has limited parking for large RVs, so arrive early or use the El Morro National Monument visitor center nearby as an alternative base with better big rig access.
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
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