El Malpais
United States
About El Malpais
El Malpais National Monument preserves a spectacular volcanic landscape featuring lava flows, cinder cones, pressure ridges, and lava tube caves. The monument's name means 'the badlands' in Spanish, reflecting the rugged terrain created by volcanic activity over the past million years. Managed by the National Park Service, the monument also protects important cultural sites including ancient Puebloan ruins and historic trails. The area offers unique opportunities for caving, hiking, and exploring one of the youngest volcanic fields in the continental United States.