Grants, NM - Join El Malpais National Monument park rangers for three different guided hike experiences in July covering the geology, wildlife, and cultural history of the park.
Bat Outflight guided hikes will be offered every Friday evening in July. 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 505-876-2783 to check program start times each week.
Guided hikes will also be offered on Saturday mornings in July and on July 4th starting at 10:30 am. Join a park ranger on the El Calderon Trail on July 4th, 15th and 29th 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 July 8th and 22nd, 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.
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 hikes are weather dependent.
July Programs at El Malpais:
Saturday, July 1st - Bat Outflight
Tuesday, July 4th - El Calderon Hike
Friday, July 7th - Bat Outflight
Saturday, July 8th - Zuni-Acoma Trail Hike
Friday, July 14th - Bat Outflight
Saturday, July 15th - El Calderon Hike
Friday, July 21st - Bat Outflight
Saturday, July 22nd - Zuni-Acoma Trail Hike
Friday, July 28th - Bat Outflight
Saturday, July 29th - El Calderon Hike
Tags: ranger program guided hikes
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service