GRANTS, N.M. – With spring around the corner and more residents planning day trips to El Malpais National Monument, the National Park Service is reminding visitors that several closures remain in effect, including the seasonal shutdown of lava tube caves and a longer-term closure at El Calderon.
All lava tube caves closed through April 30
The National Park Service reports that all lava tube caves inside El Malpais National Monument are closed from Nov. 1 through April 30 as part of the park’s annual winter closure.
According to the agency, the seasonal closure is intended to protect hibernating bats during the winter months. Visitors should plan for the caves to remain off-limits until May.
A second closure impacts one of the monument’s wellknown hiking areas.
The National Park Service said the El Calderon Trail and the El Calderon parking area are closed from Aug. 11, 2025, through late May 2026 due to a major improvement project.
During the closure period, the agency said NPS Road 100 will remain open for local traffic only, and the Continental Divide Trail will remain open for CDT thru-hikers.
NPS Warns Drivers About Road Conditions
The National Park Service is also urging caution for visitors planning to drive to the monument’s popular Big Tubes Area, which is typically accessed using County Road 42 and NPS Road 300 (Big Tubes Road).
The park warns that these routes are unpaved and often rutted dirt roads, and that highclearance four-wheel drive vehicles are sometimes recommended depending on conditions.
The agency also emphasized that County Road 42 is not a shortcut between Highway 117 and Highway 53, particularly for drivers in vehicles that are not suited to rough dirt-road travel. The park said it is always faster to backtrack to I-40 to reach the other side of the monument.
Road conditions can become dangerous quickly when wet. The park cautioned that County Road 42 and NPS 300 can be treacherous and even impassable in wet weather, creating mud pockets and ruts that can immobilize vehicles. When drivers attempt to go around damaged stretches, the park said it can lead to vehicles getting stuck and cause resource damage to the surrounding landscape.
The National Park Service also noted that there is little cell phone service in the Big Tubes area. A vehicle could remain stuck for an extended period, towing can be expensive and difficult to arrange until conditions improve, and drivers may be held responsible for any damage to the landscape caused during recovery operations.
“Preserving and protecting the unique landscape of El Malpais means enjoying it responsibly,” the park said.
For the most up-to-date information on road conditions on County Road 42 and NPS Road 300 leading to Big Tubes, the National Park Service recommends checking the park alerts page or contacting park staff.
The El Malpais Visitor Center can be reached at 505-876-2783.