Zuni-Acoma Trail Road — El Malpais Lava Field Crossing via Grants
Frozen lava and ancient trails under open sky.
The El Malpais backcountry west of Grants, New Mexico is one of the most unforgiving pieces of ground in the American Southwest — a frozen sea of basalt that stretches forty miles and swallowed cattle, horses, and homesteaders whole. The County Road 42 and BLM backcountry route that parallels and crosses the ancestral Zuni-Acoma footpath runs from Highway 117 near La Ventana Natural Arch west toward the Zuni Pueblo boundary, cutting through cinder fields, sandstone bluffs, and juniper flats with almost zero services and zero shade. The Junction Cave trailhead and Lava Falls area are key waypoints, and the road surface shifts constantly between volcanic rock, soft cinder, and eroded clay wash — sometimes all three within a half-mile stretch.
High clearance is non-negotiable; a true 4WD with skid plates is strongly recommended because volcanic rock will shred sidewalls and tear up undercarriage without warning. Spring and fall are best — summer temperatures hit 100°F and monsoon rains in July and August turn clay sections into axle-deep grease. Permits aren’t required for the BLM sections but the land transitions in and out of Acoma Pueblo territory, so respect boundaries and don’t trespass. Carry two full-size spares, at minimum five gallons of water, and satellite communication. The payoff is absolute solitude inside a landscape that looks like the moon with pinyon pines.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7245 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Grants, NM |
| Land manager | BLM Albuquerque Field Office / El Malpais National Monument |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this trail without modifications?
A stock 4WD high-clearance rig can make it, but skid plates are non-negotiable — the sharp basalt rock will tear up an unprotected underbelly fast. All-terrain tires are strongly advised; the jagged lava surface chews through highway rubber and sidewalls alike.
When is this trail actually passable, and what kills access?
March through May and September through November are the reliable windows. Summer monsoons (July–August) turn portions to slick mud and can flood low crossings, while winter snowpack and ice on the lava make navigation and traction genuinely dangerous.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp here?
No permit is required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping on the BLM sections, but portions cross into El Malpais National Monument where regulations differ — check with the BLM Albuquerque Field Office before you go. There's no fee to access the trail as of current information, but confirm at blm.gov/visit/el-malpais.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The lava field crossings are relentless — not one gnarly obstacle but miles of uneven, tire-punishing basalt that demands constant low-speed attention and beats up your suspension the whole way. Navigation is cairn-guided in sections with no clear track, so if you lose the route on the lava you can find yourself genuinely stuck with nowhere to turn around easily.
How far is the nearest gas and water, and is there any cell service on trail?
Grants, NM is your last fuel and water stop — top off completely because there is zero cell service on this trail and no water sources on the lava field itself. Carry more water than you think you need; this is dry, high-desert volcanic terrain with no bailout options mid-route.
Trail track
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