La Ventana Arch•El Malpais

00:00     Title 
00:14     Lava Badlands
02:48     Visitor Center 
05:02     Joe Skeen Campground
08:06     La Ventana Arch 
10:06     Big Skylight Cave Trail
18:39     Fin​

El Mailpais National Monument boasts one of the largest unspoiled black lava flow areas in the west and some of the most interesting points of interest can be found around the eastern edge of the lava field in the Conservation Area. La Ventana Arch is one such spot and this point of interest can easily be accessed with a passenger car. This grand sandstone arch is just a few miles south of the Sandstone Cliffs and Joe Skeen Campground on SR 117, so it is easy to find without a map. The parking area is small but adequate, because relatively few mainstream tourists meander to this lesser known place. There are facilities onsite and plenty of shade trees for a picnic, which makes La Ventana Arch a nice choice for a day trip venture.

There is a short hiking trail through the pine thicket to a spot where La Ventana Arch comes into full view. This pale sandstone arch truly is massive in size and the naturally shady cool alcove underneath certainly is alluring on a hot day. The best time to view or photograph La Ventana Arch is early in the day or sunset, because the bright sunlight glowing on the pale sandstone is absolutely blinding mid afternoon. With the majestic Sandstone Cliffs being just down the road, an entire day can be spent in this end of the park without getting bored. La Ventana is one of the great natural arches of the west, so be sure to chalk this point of interest high on the list!