El Malpais National Conservation Area
The El Malpais National Conservation Area (NCA) was established in 1987 in western New Mexico to protect nationally-significant geological, cultural and natural resources surrounding the the Zuni-Bandera volcanic fields. El Malpais translates to "the badlands" in Spanish.
Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area
The NCA is located in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Blanca Mountains. At over 42 miles long, the Cave is the second longest in New Mexico, the 10th longest in the U.S., and the 43rd longest in the world.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Located on the Pajarito Plateau, the Monument is rich in pumice, ash, and tuff deposits. The cone-shaped tent rock formations are the products of explosive volcanic eruptions that occurred 6-7 million years ago.
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
In the ruggedly beautiful Rio Grande Mesilla Valley, five iconic mountain ranges rise above Chihuahuan Desert grasslands: the Robledo, Sierra de las Uvas, Doa Ana, Organ, and Potrillo Mountains.
Prehistoric Trackways National Monument
The Prehistoric Trackways National Monument includes a major deposit of Paleozoic Era fossilized footprint mega trackways. The trackways contain footprints of numerous amphibians, reptiles and insects, as well as petrified wood dating back 280 million years.
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
Río Grande del Norte National Monument, located near Taos, New Mexico, includes approximately 242,500 acres comprised of rugged, wide open plains, volcanic cones and steep canyons cut by hidden rivers. Evidence of ancient use is found throughout the area in the form of Native American petroglyphs, prehistoric dwelling sites, and many other types of archaeological sites. The Monument provides year-round protection for many of New Mexico's iconic species like the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, cougar, black bear, bald eagle, and the native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout.