The green landscape of the West Malpais Wilderness.

West Malpais Wilderness

The West Malpais Wilderness is a flat landscape of 18,000 year old volcanic lava flows. The southeastern portion of the wilderness is a grassland with expansive views. The western portion is a piñon-juniper woodland and the northern portion is characterized by ponderosa pine. The most distinctive landform within the West Malpais Wilderness is a 6,700-acre kīpuka (a Hawaiian term meaning island of fertile ground) in the north part of the wilderness called Hole-in-the-Wall. Hole-in-the-Wall is encircled by jagged basalt flows. The Wilderness is located within the El Malpais National Conservation Area.

Quick Facts

Location: South of Grants

Elevation: Approximately 7,200 feet

BLM Acreage: 39,540 acres

Contact Us

BLM Ranger Station 
(505) 280-2918

Rio Puerco Field Office
100 Sun Avenue NE
Pan American Bldg.
Suite 330
Albuquerque, NM  87109-4676
505-761-8700