The Lava Falls Trail forms a one-mile loop across the McCartys Lava Flow, with a short spur trail leading into a natural amphitheater of lava. This trail is marked by cairns, or rock piles that serve as trail markers. Although the trail is relatively short, its surface is very jagged and uneven. Hiking here with pets is not recommended. Picnic tables and the pit toilet are wheelchair accessible. 
The Lava Falls Trail is located 36 miles south of I-40 on NM-117.

Nick-named “the badlands” by Spanish explorers as they detoured around forbidding and unrelenting flows of basalt, El Malpais National Monument is home to one of the most complete sequences of lava flows in the country. Preserved within this harsh yet starkly beautiful landscape are many lava tube cave systems, cinder cones, spatter cones, and other intriguing volcanic features. Exploring this surreal region can be done via scenic drives, overlooks, and short trails. For a more immersive experience in the volcanic mysteries of El Malpais, rugged backcountry and lava tube caves are yours to explore.

Great birdwatching sites along NM-117 include Sandstone Bluffs, La Ventana Natural Arch, and Narrows Picnic Areas. NM-53 on the west side of the monument offers access to the El Calderon area, Zuni-Acoma Trail, and County Road 42. Summer monsoons create vernal, or seasonal, ponds along roadsides that attract visitors such as great blue herons. Always be aware of your surroundings while bird watching.