El Malpais
National Conservation Area
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
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Hiking Trails
Help to protect our natural resources by staying on the designated trails
All mileages listed begin from the BLM Ranger Station located 9 miles south of 1-40 on Highway 117.
Ventana Natural Arch. The trailhead
and parking area are located at the
southern end of the picnic area.
Hike Description: The trail takes you
Hike Description: This is a relatively
to the top of a 500 foot sandstone
easy walk to the base of the arch.
mesa where you will have scenic
Along the way you
views of the lava beds
will be
and surrounding
surrounded by
country. At the
dramatic
end of the trail
sandstone cliff
you will have a
formations,
great view of La
pinon and
Ventana Natural
Wear proper clothing. Even in summer, Arch. This is a
juniper trees
carry a light jacket in case you are
along with a
designated
caught out after nightfall.
variety of
wilderness area
shrubs and
Wear good walking shoes or hiking shoes. and is not
grasses. At
accessible by
the end of the
bicycle.
walk you will
be rewarded with a magnificent view
Length of Hike: Approximately 6½
of La Ventana, one of New Mexico’s
miles round trip.
largest natural arches. The trail
leading up to the base of the arch is
primitive. Please stay on the
ARMIJO CANYON:
designated trail in an effort to protect
Directions: Drive south on SR 117
our fragile resources.
for 22.6 miles until you reach CR 41
(otherwise known as “the Pietown
Length of Hike: Approximately ½
road”). Drive south on CR 41 for
mile round trip.
approximately 3.7 miles until you
reach the Armijo Canyon sign, which
will be on the east side of the road.
NARROWS RIM HIKE:
Turn left and after approximately a
Directions: Drive south on SR 117
mile and, a half you will reach the
for 12.5 miles to the Narrows Picnic
parking area, this is the trailhead.
Area located 3 miles south of La
County road 41 and the road leading
to Armijo Canyon may become
impassable when wet, so please
keep an eye on the weather.
Hike Description: This is a pleasant
hike, but keep in mind that it is very
sandy. The trail winds among pinon
and juniper trees and will take you to
a very nice homestead. This is a
designated wilderness area and is
not accessible by bicycle.
Length of Hike: Approximately 4½
miles round trip.
Other Notes: The Dittert Site is at
the mouth of Armijo Canyon. If you
are interested in going to the Dittert
Site please check with the BLM
Ranger Station on SR 117 to get a
brochure and accurate directions.
Carry plenty of
water and a high
energy snack.
GRGR
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LA VENTANA NATURAL ARCH:
Directions: Drive south on SR 117
approximately 9 miles. The arch is
visible from the road.
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HOLE- IN-THE-WALL:
Directions: Drive south on SR 117
until you reach CR 42, also known
as Chain of Craters Back Country
Byway. Turn on this road and proceed northwest for approximately 2.1
miles until you reach a fork in the
road, take a right and proceed north
for approximately 5 miles to the
trailhead. Please keep an eye on
the weather, county road 42 is a
dirt road and is impassable when
wet.
Hike Description: This is a wonderful
hike for the avid hiker and backpacker. Accessing Hole-in-the-Wall
requires hiking several miles across
open plains and lava flows. Hole-inthe-Wall is a 6700 acre kipuka that
consists of ponderosa pine parklands and open rangeland surrounded by lava. This is a designated
wilderness area and is not accessible by bicycle. Please pack in
plenty of water, as there are no
reliable water sources in the area.
trail is marked with a rock cairn
adjacent to the parking area.
Length of Hike: Approximately 3
miles to get into Hole-in-the-Wall and
as much hiking as you can do from
there.
Hike Description: The trail is clearly
marked with cairn markers and
wooden posts. The trail winds
among the Chain of Craters and
passes through pinon, juniper,
ponderosa pine and a variety of
shrubs and grasses. This is a very
pleasant hike. Pack in plenty of
water as there are no reliable sources of water in the area. County
road 42 is a dirt road and is
impassable when wet, so please
keep an eye on the weather.
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NATIONAL
SCENIC TRAIL:
Directions: From SR 53, drive
southwest on SR 53 to CR 42. Turn
south on CR 42 and drive approximately 5 miles until you reach the
trailhead. Parking is available at the
trailhead. The trail is marked with a
rock cairn across the road from the
parking area.
From SR 117: Drive south on SR
117 until you reach CR 42. Once on
CR 42 it is a 9-mile drive across an
open plain to the trailhead. Parking
is available at the trailhead and the
Length of Hike: Approximately 20
miles from trailhead to trailhead .
For more information on the Continental Divide Trail please stop by the
BLM Ranger Station on SR 117 .
Please practice Leave No Trace camping skills and ethics.
Information regarding Leave No Trace is available at the BLM Ranger Station on SR 117.
“A thing is right when it tends to preserve
the integrity, stability, and beauty
of the biotic community.
It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”
_ Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac
For More Information Contact:
El Malpais National Conservation Area
Bureau of Land Management
P.O. Box 846
Grants, New Mexico 87020
(505) 287-7911
www.nm.blm.gov
Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center
1900 East Santa Fe Avenue
Grants, New Mexico 87020
(505) 876-2783
www.nps.gov/elma
BLM/NM/GI-02-011-1220
