Signed NPS overlook in El Malpais National Monument where Jurassic Zuni Sandstone cliffs drop to a black basalt lava sea. Sweeping views of McCartys and other young basalt flows, cinder cones, and the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field—one of the easiest high-payoff geology stops along NM-117 south of I-40.
Field facts
| Region | Cibola County, NM |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34.9459, -107.8353 |
| Unit | El Malpais National Monument (NPS) |
| Rock | Zuni Sandstone over basalt malpaís |
| Access | NM-117 scenic corridor |
| Nearby | Grants / La Ventana Arch (NCA) |
Nearby locations
Nearby amenities
- CampgroundJoe Skeen Campground1.2 km away
- CampgroundJoe Skeen Campsite1.3 km away
- RestroomJoe Skeen Restroom1.3 km away
- CampgroundJoe Skeen Campsite1.3 km away
- CampgroundJoe Skeen Campsite1.4 km away
- CampgroundJoe Skeen Campsite1.4 km away
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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