Ranger Programs

Spring 2025 Programs

All programs are free and do not require reservations. Outdoor programs are weather dependent.

 

Attend an astronomy program: half the park is after dark!

Junior Ranger Day - Saturday, April 19

10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Multiple Locations: El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, El Malpais National Conservation Area Ranger Station (BLM), and Sandstone Bluffs Overlook

Join us in celebrating junior rangers and all explorers of public lands! Rangers from local land management agencies will offer hands-on, educational activities at El Malpais National Monument and El Malpais National Conservation Area. Junior rangers can learn about their role in protecting natural and cultural resources in public lands and at home. This event is free and open to kids and adults of all ages.

Activities will take place at three locations:
1) The El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, 1900 E. Santa Fe Ave in Grants, NM
2) The Bureau of Land Management Ranger Station located 9 miles south of I-40 Exit 89 on Highway 117
3) Sandstone Bluffs Overlook, 10 miles south of I-40 Exit 89 on Highway 117

Junior rangers can earn their badges at both the ranger station and the visitor center. To earn a special Junior Ranger Day bonus, visit all three locations and complete a scavenger hunt. Come enjoy your public lands and learn how the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service work together to support conservation. For any questions, call us at 505-876-2783.

April Astronomy Month

Join El Malpais National Monument Park Rangers to celebrate astronomy and dark night skies during Astronomy Month. Programs are every Friday evening of the month and will be presented at various locations throughout the monument. We encourage people to go outside, look up, and share the sky.

What to Wear: Warm layers and close-toed shoes.

What to Bring: A flashlight or headlamp, preferably one with a red light setting, a bottle of water, and snacks. For stationary programs, you are welcome to bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

April 4 - Bringing the Universe Within Reach at El Calderon
8:30 - 10:00 pm
Come out to El Calderon for a constellation tour, stories, and deep sky viewing through a telescope. The El Calderon Trailhead is located off of Highway 53, about 22 miles south of Grants.

April 11 - Full Moon Hike at El Calderon
8:15 - 9:45 pm
Experience hiking in the moonlight on a 1.5-mile walk on the El Calderon Trail. The El Calderon Trailhead is located off of Highway 53, about 22 miles south of Grants.

April 18 - Under the Stars at Sandstone Bluffs
8:30 - 10:00 pm
Stargaze with rangers, look through a telescope, and watch for meteors from the Lyrid meteor shower. Sandstone Bluffs Overlook is located 19 miles south of Grants on Highway 117. Once at the parking area, look for the red lights.

April 25 - Experience the Night Sky at El Morro National Monument
8:30 - 9:30 pm (Gates open at 8:15 pm)
El Morro National Monument is a certified International Dark Sky Park that is located on Highway 53 near Ramah, NM, around 1 hour southwest of Grants. We invite you to join El Morro park rangers in a brief presentation that will take you on an imaginary expedition from Earth’s nearest celestial neighbors to the farthest reaches of the universe. Following this, join us for a laser-guided tour of the night sky, where we will identify and discuss various stars and constellations. Gates at El Morro will open at 8:15 PM MDT.

The Brazilian free-tailed bats have migrated south for the winter. See you next summer!

 

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