El Malpais National Monument

11/06/2026

Across the National Park System, memorials, monuments and historic landscapes preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed. From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the newly dedicated Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, these places invite us to reflect on the people behind the history.

Beyond the memorials, historic battlefields, military forts and other sites across the country help tell the stories of generations who served. On Veterans Day, take time to visit a place of remembrance, discover a story you didn't know, and honor those who served.

Explore places that commemorate America's military history: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/veterans-day.htm

Image: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Raptors in Flight. NPS/Brodsky

11/06/2026

11/05/2026

The histories, cultures, and living traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities are an important part of the stories told across our national parks.

Throughout the year, and during November’s Native American Heritage Month, explore the stories, places, and cultural heritage preserved and shared in national parks and communities across the country: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm

NPS Photo

11/04/2026

It’s leaf-peeping season. The trees have made an effort, so the least we can do is go outside and stare at them.

Leaf peeping is the ancient human tradition of traveling long distances to look at leaves, take photographs, and stand in the middle of roads while saying, “Oh, wow, look at that one.”

Nobody knows exactly when this became a major event, but the trees seem okay with the arrangement. So get out there and see what all the rustle is about.

NPS photos

11/04/2026

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/02/2026

Hello darkness, my old friend. Now you start at 5:00 pm.

With daylight saving time behind us, the sun is clocking out a littler earlier. Just as before, if you’re heading to a national park, make sure and check park hours, trail conditions, weather forecasts, and sunset times.

Fun fact: admiring fall foliage is much more enjoyable when you’re not trying to navigate a trail in the dark while wondering which tree looks familiar.

NPS photo

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

🦋 Imagine flying thousands of miles to make it home for a family reunion. Monarch butterflies do it every year.

Every fall, two journeys come together. As millions of monarch butterflies travel south on one of nature's greatest migrations, families gather to honor loved ones during Day of the Dead or Día de los Mu***os.

For many communities, the arrival of the monarchs is more than a sign of the changing season. These butterflies are seen as messengers, symbolizing the return of loved ones in spirit and serving as a beautiful reminder of the enduring connections between generations.

Traveling thousands of miles across North America, they depend on healthy habitats, including in parks, to rest, feed, and continue their journey.

What animal makes you feel connected to your family or community?

Several parks across the country host cultural Day of the Dead programming, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, among others.

NPS Photo taken at Amistad National Recreation Area

11/02/2026

Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. Its roots stretch back to Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, where ancestors were remembered through ritual, art, and celebration. When the Spanish arrived in what is now Texas, these native customs merged with Catholic traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day; creating the vibrant holiday we know today.

At San Antonio Missions, you can see this cultural fusion come to life. From colorful altars adorned with marigolds and candles to music, food, and stories, the park reflects how Spanish and Indigenous traditions shaped communities along the San Antonio River.

Come explore mission descendant ofrendas/ Day of the Dead altars while they are still inside the Mission San Jose granary for a few more days!

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

10/31/2026

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins* scream in the dead of night!

Happy Halloween!

*No pumpkins have been observed screaming in national parks. You may be hearing a coyote, bobcat, fox, owl, or that marmot looking for Alan…or was it Steve?

Image: Boo! Carved jack-o’-lantern with ranger hat at Hartwell Tavern at Minute Man National Historical Park

10/30/2026

Have you ever wondered where bats call home?

Fourteen species of bats can be found within El Malpais National Monument, but they don't all live in the same spot. Depending on the species, a bat may roost in a crack in a sandstone cliff face, a ponderosa pine tree, or, commonly at El Malpais, a lava tube cave. A bat's roost provides safety and shelter. A warm, quiet spot to rest or eat, protection from predators, and a place to socialize, which are all important for bat health and survival. Some roosts serve as maternal colonies, where female bats give birth to and raise their young pups.

Roosts can be used year round, seasonally, or even just for a night. During the warmer months, the park's lava tube caves are active from dusk until dawn as bats emerge nightly to feed on insects. In winter, some caves are used as a hibernaculum where bats must hibernate to survive since there's no food available. El Malpais' lava tube caves are where many bats choose to make their home, a place where they feel comfort and at ease. We can help protect their homes by staying out of caves during winter hibernation.

When you think of your own home, what gives you comfort about that place?

NPS Photo

10/29/2026

Two poops converged in a yellow wood... and I took neither one.

Robert Frost may have been referring to yellow leaves in his poem, but these animal s**ts were found on the Narrows Trail, which is characterized by ponderosa pine, commonly referred to as yellow pine. Is this simply the favored spot of one animal or the result of an animal trying to out-doo (pun intended) the other? Let’s dig in!

The difficulty identifying omnivore s**t is that it varies just as wildly as their diet. The whitish s**t is full of fur, common among those who eat meat, of course. Then, there’s shape, and while that’s a useful distinguishing characteristic, does it really help when that shape is... well, shapeless? Amorphous s**t is common among those who eat juicy foods, and sure enough, the reddish pile appears to be full of cactus fruit. That may suggest a critter such as a ringtail, raccoon, or skunk, but even animals who have a reputation for meat-eating often partake in plants when the supply is readily available.

Then, there’s context. Bobcats and coyotes are both known for pooping in the middle of the trail, but the fact that the whitish s**t is segmented and slightly tapered makes us suspect bobcat. The process by which plants rely on animals to spread their seeds is called zoochory. It may surprise you that this would involve so-called carnivores, but animals have many professions, not least of which is defying our expectations. Don't let your guard down. Stay curious on this .

📷NPSPhoto

10/28/2026

“Should I stay or should I go now?” -The Clash

As autumn takes over the land, bats have a tough decision to make concerning how to keep their tiny bodies from freezing. Luckily for those indecisive ones, biology largely determines whether a bat escapes to warmer climes or sticks it out in a state of deep chill. For example, our bats in the family Molossidae are hefty and built for strong, sustained flight, indicative of a migratory strategy.

However, most of our 14 species of bats go the way of hibernation. Sounds simple, right? In fact, hibernation is one of the most extraordinary biological feats on earth, making bats some of the most impressive animals in the park.

Bats are warm-blooded like us humans, but they’re so much cooler... literally. Bats as well as some other mammals and birds can drop their internal temperature to levels that better mimic the external, ambient temperature. The more a bat can match their body’s temperature to that of the environment, the less energy is required to maintain their internal thermostat. Caves serve as excellent hibernacula (hibernating roosting sites) because they don’t experience temperature fluctuations during severe cold snaps.

You may be thinking it’s a problem that caves aren’t plentiful everywhere, but even in places where they are, bats still get creative. How about that dead, standing tree in your yard you haven’t gotten around to cutting? Great news! Don’t worry about it. Even a humble-looking snag can offer hundreds of sheltered spots you don’t even notice, from hollows in the trunk or branches to the nooks and crannies underneath the bark.

📷Photo courtesy of Sandia Mountain Natural History Center: This silver-haired bat found a cozy spot to slumber in a ponderosa pine tree notch.

10/27/2026

Imagine walking outside at night. You might hear the wind blowing, leaves rustling, and maybe a few insects chirping. Nighttime often feels calm and quiet, but what if it's not as quiet as you think?

Bats are an incredible group of creatures who are part of this nighttime soundscape. As they fly through the darkness, bats produce high-frequency sounds using their larynx (voice box). These sounds travel through the air, bounce off nearby objects, and return to the bats as echoes. This amazing ability, called echolocation, helps bats find insects, avoid obstacles, and navigate through the night.

However, most of these sounds are too high-pitched for human ears to hear. Human hearing generally reaches frequencies up to 20 kilohertz (kHz), while many bat echolocation calls range from 20 to 200 kHz. That means bats can be calling all around us without us hearing a thing. Some bats, like the spotted bat, do produce calls low enough for people to hear.

So how do we know there are sounds that are inaudible to our ears? Scientists at El Malpais use special acoustic detectors to record high-frequency bat calls then examine the different frequencies, patterns, and timing of these sounds. By doing this, they can learn which bat species are in the area and tell whether they're actively searching for food or just flying by.

There could be an entire cloud of bats flying high above your head at night, and you would have no idea. Just because we can't hear something doesn't mean it isn't there.

NPS Photo of a Townsend's big-eared bat.

10/26/2026

Behold! It's Bat Week! 🦇

El Malpais National Monument is home to at least 14 species of these amazing flying mammals. Check out the first five photos for facts about bats that are also found at El Malpais. The western mastiff bat, the largest bat in North America, ranges into southwestern New Mexico but not our area.

10/25/2026

"BAT!" - Laszlo 🦇

Have you heard? We sent ravens. We sent 500 RAVENS! Put out the creepy paper (Oh! Multipack!) and celebrate because it’s !

Bat Week is an international, annual celebration designed to raise awareness about bats. Millions of bats live in national parks. In fact, more than 45 unique species of bats can be found in national parks! Although we may not always see them, bats are relentless, almost Nandor-like, in their pursuit of insects, pollinating flowers, and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees.

Want to learn more? It’s not goat sorcery. Everyone can join in on the Bat Week fun! From your fancy room at home, browse articles on nps.gov to learn more about bats, engage in bat-tivities, and discover current bat science.

Visit BatWeek.org for inspiring stories, events, and more.

10/23/2026

NM-117 is currently covered in 3-4 inches of water approximately 1.5 miles south of Joe Skeen Campground. Please proceed with caution while driving through the area. The Full Moon Hike event at La Ventana Arch will proceed as planned at 7:00 p.m.

10/21/2026

A beautiful double rainbow over our land of lava. What does it mean?

A rainbow begins with sunlight and drops of water floating in the air after a rain shower. Even though sunlight looks white, it is made of many colors. When sunlight enters a raindrop, the light bends or refracts. As light travels through the drop, the different colors bend by slightly different amounts, separating white light into a rainbow of colors. Millions of tiny raindrops bend the light over and over, creating the colorful arc we see.

At El Malpais, rain showers and sunshine can create a spectacularly colorful sight above our dark lava flows. Each rainbow is a radiant reminder that even an ordinary raindrop can do something extraordinary when the conditions are right.

Where did you last see a rainbow?

NPS Photo

10/19/2026

Join rangers from Bureau of Land Management - New Mexico and the National Park Service for a moonlit walk this Friday!

October 23
7:00-8:30 pm
Location: El Malpais NCA, La Ventana Arch Trailhead

Come for the hike🥾stay for the show✨

Discover a whole new side of the desert as you join our park rangers for a moonlit hike at La Ventana Natural Arch Trail!

📅Fri, Oct 23
🕑7pm-8:30pm
📍El Malpais NCA, La Ventana Arch Nature Trailhead

What to bring:
✅flashlight
✅weather-appropriate clothes
✅sturdy, close-toed shoes
✅water/snacks

10/16/2026

Algae—can't live with ‘em; can’t live without ‘em.

On a basic level, lichens are the product of photosynthesizing algae or bacteria (or both) living communally with a fungus. But, lichens refuse to be basic. They’ve been stumping scientists for a long time, and they don’t see any point in stopping.

Some fungal species who live with a photobiont (the photosynthesizing partner) can live independently, as well. Some cannot. As if that weren’t complicated enough, some lichens involve more than one species of fungus and photobiont. Some even involve non-photosynthesizing species of bacteria. Why? Scientists are still trying to understand exactly which players do what within the lichen structure, but whenever they crack a code, they crack open another slurry of questions.

Some species of fungus even colonize lichens, feeding on the fruits of their mutual labor. These fungi remain distinctly separate from the lichen commune, much like a parasite... until they don’t. Sometimes they become integrated within the already existing structure of a lichen like that party crasher who’s so likeable that they’re allowed to be part of the crowd.

Are you crying from confusion yet? Or, are you crying with awe at the beautiful, astonishing complexity this planet has created and which we are infinitely lucky to witness? Lichens help demonstrate one of the most important aspects of our relationship with the natural world: We don’t have to know all the answers to know how to appreciate the subject. On lava flows such as those in El Malpais, are the very first soil-makers to break ground. That alone is enough to earn our appreciation.

📷Photo of lichens on basalt in the Lava Falls area, courtesy of ©s0leil