New Mexico · National Monument trail

Lava Falls Trail Stop #9

in New Mexico · centroid 79 mi from Albuquerque

Connections Over Time The McCartys flow may be young by geologic standards, but it is old enough to be included in human history. It is very likely that ancestors of today's Acoma Pueblo, Zuni Pueblo, and Navajo Nation all witnessed the McCartys eruption. All three Tribes have oral histories that include a battle between two brothers and a monster rising up from the earth.

During the battle, the monster bleeds, and when the battle is over, the blood dries black. What color is lava when it flows? What color is the landscape you are on now? Although the word "volcano" is never used, the oral histories of Acoma Pueblo, Zuni Pueblo, and Navajo Nation all document a volcanic event.

These three Tribes and many others in the region maintain a relationship with this landscape today. Acoma Pueblo and Zuni Pueblo continue their connection to the lava and each other with today's Acoma-Zuni Trail (or Zuni-Acoma Trail off of Highway 53), maintaining the connection through lava on foot. After completing the Lava Falls Trail, you have had the chance to create your own connection and experience with a lava landscape.

States: New Mexico
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid nearest city: Albuquerque, NM · 79 mi · ~2.3 hr drive
Centroid coords: 34.7360°, -107.9771°

About El Malpais National Monument

National Monument

This trail is inside El Malpais National Monument, a national monument managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/lafa_stop9.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/elma/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Lava Falls Trail Stop #9 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.

Stay nearby

Affiliate · disclosed

Driving in? The nearest documented metro is Albuquerque, NM — 79 miles away (~2.3 hr drive). See accommodation in Albuquerque on Booking.com → RoamFound earns a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. How we handle affiliate links.