589 units scored Refreshed on a schedule Independent, no sponsored rankings
Recreation AreaNM
Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway
NPS / Martin Wagner, Share the Experience
45/ 100FOCUSED
parkverdict Experience ScoreIndependent, not sponsored
45 of 100. Our independent breadth-and-access index. How we score
Our verdict
Should you visit Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway?
This 33-mile unpaved byway, cutting through the volcanic lava fields of northwestern New Mexico, delivers a raw, unhurried drive for those seeking meaning in desolate landscapes.
It connects two state highways along the western edge of the West Malpais Wilderness, offering genuine solitude and a profound sense of geological scale. The experience score here reflects tangible limitations: dramatic developed amenities are absent, road conditions are variable, and infrastructure is sparse. However, for a specific traveler, that austere quality defines the appeal. Casual sightseers should look elsewhere.
Who should go
For those prioritizing volcanic landscapes and solitude, this destination delivers. Primitive camping appeals to those adequately prepared. However, visitors seeking paved amenities, extensive visitor services, or abundant wildlife will find their expectations unmet.
Highlights
A 33-mile backcountry auto tour through stark lava country with almost no development or traffic
Direct access to the West Malpais Wilderness boundary for off-road hiking into volcanic terrain
Primitive camping along public lands with genuine dark skies and isolation
Photography opportunities centered on dramatic lava formations and wide open high-desert light
Editor's tipCounty Road 42 presents a significant access barrier. After rain or snow, the road can become impassable. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended in all conditions. Consult BLM El Malpais NCA road reports before travel.
How we scored it
How Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway earned its 45
Where does a 45 come from? One formula, run the same on every place we cover, built only from public data on what a unit offers and how reachable it is. It says nothing about how pretty a spot is or how busy it gets. This is what fed it:
Activity breadth6 documented activities
Topic breadth0 topics
Official imagery2 public-domain images
Camping on sitedocumented
Entry costVaries
No number is hand-adjusted and no unit pays for placement. The full weights, the floor at 18 and a worked example are on how we score.
The honest limits
What the number leaves out
Worth saying plainly: this number only knows what the data shows, which is breadth and access. It has no idea whether the scenery is jaw-dropping, whether the lot is a zoo in July, what shape the trails are in, or how good the guided walks are. So do not read a lower score as a worse day out. A focused little site can beat a big all-rounder for the right person. Compare the numbers for what is on offer, then read the verdict for who each place actually suits.
The basics
Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway at a glance
The Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway is a 33 mile route in northwestern New Mexico. It travels through both El Malpais National Conservation Area (NCA) and El Malpais National Monument. This byway is County Road 42. It runs almost entirely across public lands, forming the western boundary of the West Malpais Wilderness. County Road 42 links NM 53 and NM 117. More details on sites along the byway and access to public lands are on the BLM's El Malpais NCA recreation website.
On documented breadth and access, Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway ranks 24th of 24 park and public-land units we score in New Mexico.
Is Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway worth visiting?
This 33-mile unpaved byway, cutting through the volcanic lava fields of northwestern New Mexico, delivers a raw, unhurried drive for those seeking meaning in desolate landscapes.
Is Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway free to visit?
Not free. Getting in runs about Varies.
What is Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway best for?
It leans hardest toward hiking, camping, wildlife watching, scenic drives, going by the 6 activities it actually documents.
How is the Experience Score for Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway calculated?
The 45 comes straight from public data on how much the place documents and how easy it is to reach, things like activities, topics, photos, camping and whether entry is free. It says nothing about scenery or how busy it gets.
Reviewed by Irene A. Taranina, founding editor/Checked against official public data/Published /Updated /Independent, no sponsored rankings
Published by Mine Marketing LTD, an independent digital publisher. Not affiliated with the National Park Service.
