El Malpais National Monument
El Calderon Trail Educational Signs
El Calderon Trail Educational Signs
Artist rendering of new accessible trail inside lava tube
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National Natural Landmark
1969 National Monument 1987 Park Size 115,049 Acres Annual Visitors 167,000 Park Fee none Superintendent Kelly Fuhrmann Park Partner none Location Cibola County, NM |
El Malpais National Monument features rugged lava flows, scenic overlooks, bat caves, natural arches, historic trails, and petroglyphs. The Zuni-Acoma Trail served as a trade route, connecting the two Tribes inhabiting the land, for thousands of years. The El Calderon Trail provides access to lava tubes, cinder cones, and lava flows. Called the "badlands" by early Spanish explorers, the rough landscape is also home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, cougar, elk, golden eagles, bats, and hummingbirds.
The park is currently converting part of the El Calderon Trail to be its first-ever accessible trail surface, greatly expanding opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities. The Fund for People in Parks is providing a grant for the design and installation of five new educational signs for the trail to provide information on the park's landscape, history, and cultural importance. One of the signs includes a tactile map of the 0.75-mile trail and ramp system designed to meet accessibility requirements. Another sign, with a tactile bat component, provides context about bat behavior and lava tube caves. Funding Needed: $41,690 Project Approved: 2024 Visitors, in general, and young visitors (such as students), in particular, will be able to make much deeper connections to the park, leading to greater appreciation and stewardship. This entire project is about making key park resources, including the park's most popular trail, accessible and safe." |
Current entrance to Junction Cave (inaccessible to people with disabilities and children)
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Artist's rendering of newly accessible path into Junction Cave
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Visitors waiting for bats to emerge from Bat Cave (difficult for those with mobility issues)
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An artist's rendering of the plan for Bat Cave, with new railing and amphitheater seating
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Locations for the five new educational signs (Junction Bridge will have two signs)
