Jun 28

Written by:
6/28/2010 8:49 AM 

In the July/August issue of Gold Prospectors magazine, an article by Ken Weinman states you can access El Malpais National Monument if "it is not posted against trespass and is open to the public." In New Mexico, it is still considered trespassing whether or not any signs are posted.

It is always a good idea to pick up a map ahead of time from the Bureau of Land Management or the National Park Service and research areas that are public and private. Residences in the El Malpais area have been vandalized due to trespassing. The lack of signs DOES NOT necessarily permit access to any property. 

Also, the NPS office is on New Mexico State Route 53, not SR 117. 

- Larry Brillhart