Geology
Cibola County, NM
Approximate location — plotted from published sources, not a site visit, and not a guarantee of access.
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.
| Region | Cibola County, NM |
|---|---|
| Coordinates (approx.) | 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) |
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.