Grants, NM – Join El Malpais National Monument park rangers for three different guided hike experiences and Perseid meteor shower viewings covering the geology, wildlife, astronomy, and cultural history of the park.
Bat Outflight guided hikes will be offered every Friday evening through Labor Day weekend. Join a park ranger on an easy 2-mile round-trip interpretive walk out to Bat Cave on the El Calderon Trail where thousands of bats typically emerge around sunset. Walks begin approximately one hour before sunset and start times will vary week-to-week. Please visit our website, social media, or call the visitor center at 505- 8762783 to check program start times each week.
Guided hikes will also be offered most weekends through Labor Day at 10:30 am. Join a park ranger on the El Calderon Trail on August 19th, September 2nd, and September 4th to learn more about the fascinating geology and ecology of El Malpais' oldest lava flow. See lava tube caves, beautiful grasslands, old forests, and a cinder cone volcano along this 3-mile guided hike. On August 5th, August 26th, and September 3rd, follow an ancient footpath along the Zuni-Acoma Trail with a park ranger to learn more about the natural and cultural history of El Malpais. This hike will cover approximately the first mile of the trail. Both hikes will last about two hours, with options to extend each hike on your own after the guided portion ends.
On August 11th and 12th, join park rangers under the dark night skies of El Malpais for the Perseid Meteor Shower. On Friday, August 11th, Perseid meteor viewing will take place after the bat outflight program at the El Calderon Trailhead from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm. On Saturday, August 12th, join rangers at Sandstone Bluffs Overlook from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm for an astronomy program, constellation tours, and a chance to spot beautiful meteors and fireballs as the Perseids hit their peak.
For more details on all programs, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/elma or call the El Malpais Visitor Center at 505-876-2783. All events are weather dependent.
SummerProgramsatEl MalpaisThroughLaborDay:
Friday, August 4th – Bat Outflight at El Calderon Saturday, August 5th – Zuni-Acoma Trail Hike Friday, August 11th – Bat Outflight & Perseid Meteor Shower at El Calderon
Saturday, August 12th – Perseid Meteor Shower at Sandstone Bluffs Overlook Friday, August 18th – Bat Outflight at El Calderon Saturday, August 19th – El Calderon Trail Hike Friday, August 25th – Bat Outflight at El Calderon Saturday, August 26th – Zuni-Acoma Trail Hike Friday, September 1st – Bat Outflight at El Calderon Saturday, September 2nd – El Calderon Hike Sunday, September 3rd – Zuni-Acoma Trail Hike.