West Malpais Wilderness

West Malpais Wilderness
Map showing the location of West Malpais Wilderness
Map showing the location of West Malpais Wilderness
LocationCibola County, New Mexico, United States
Nearest cityGrants
Coordinates34°53′24.6″N 108°09′30.4″W / 34.890167°N 108.158444°W / 34.890167; -108.158444
Area35,940 acres (145.4 km2)
Established1987
Governing bodyUnited States Bureau of Land Management
WebsiteWest Malpais Wilderness

West Malpais Wilderness is a designated Wilderness Area managed by the U. S. Bureau of Land Management [BLM] located south of Grants, NM in Cibola County, New Mexico. Established in 1987, the 35,940-acre West Malpais Wilderness is located within the larger El Malpais National Conservation Area, a 231,230-acre BLM-managed area created in 1987 to protect the Grants Lava Flow, the Las Ventanas Chacoan Archeological Site, and other significant natural and cultural resources in Western New Mexico. One of two Wilderness Areas in the Conservation Area, the 35,940 acre West Malpais area is open to hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and "Leave No Trace" primitive camping, and contains a short section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.[1]

  1. ^ "Wilderness Connect". wilderness.net.