El Malpais National Monument

Achieve inner peace as you hike and stroll through the sandstone bluffs and lava falls of this stunning national monument. The basic Loop is an easy hike, and you can get a free permit from the Visitors Center to let you go inside the caves. Pull out your phone for spectacular photos at the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook—but hang on tight to it, because the edge has no warning signs, walls, chains or anything to grab hold of. (Parents, take heed!)

Want more serenity? (And a little bit of a challenge?) Head across the Lava Flows. No, there's no actual path, but following the cairns put in place by the rangers is kind of fun. Yes, those are pronghorns checking you out from the nearby meadows. (Fun fact: They're not sheep, goats or antelope, but a mammal unique to this area.)

The caves are fascinating— but you're on your own here (often literally, since this monument isn't a touristy destination). Good shoes are a must, as are a flashlight (head lamp preferably), gloves, and a jacket—You're underground and it's going to get cold.

The rangers here are awesome. They'll do the whole Junior Ranger thing with your kids, and they know the park inside and out. Pick up the excellent maps to figure out what you want to see. If you're short on time, you can hike to the natural arch in a few minutes—but this monument is worth at least half a day to explore remarkable natural beauty of so many types in one location.