Hike-in Required
No
Open Year-round
Yes
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Sandstone Bluffs are one of the few overlooks within El Malpais National Monument, offering fantastic views out across the lava flows below.

The Sandstone Bluffs are about a half hour drive from Grants, New Mexico and are located down a gravel side road. There is a large day use are with parking, vault toilet and picnic area.

The bluffs are fun to explore, but do use caution when hiking off trail and around the steep drop-offs.

Views abound from the Sandstone Bluffs. Far below are the lava flows of El Malpais. These lava flows are some the most recent in the US, only a couple thousand years old. In front of you and beyond the lava flows are the Zuni Mountains, including shield volcanoes and cinder cones, and to the north Mount Taylor is visible.

Enjoy the Sandstone Bluffs and remember to leave no trace.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Pros

Fun to explore. Great views.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Features

Vault toilet
Wildlife
Family friendly
Geologically significant
Big vistas
Picnic tables

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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