By:
Submission
The Hiker Hideout is primitive, hike-in, wilderness campsites. There is no water or showers. There is an outdoor-composting toilet. The property once had a historic cabin, unfortunately the cabin and outhouse were destroyed by wildfire in 2022. The Hiker Hideout is an inholding surrounded by El Malpais National Monument, all park rules apply.
Follow New Mexico highway 53 towards the continental divide. Go south on County Road 42 (Chain of Craters Scenic Byway) 2.44 miles. Look for the Dead End road sign, this is the parking area. Follow the signs and rock cairns to the campsite. It is only a short .16 mile hike from the parking area.
The backcountry byway C-42 is not in the best condition and is ONLY safely traveled in 4-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle with aggressive tires and decent ground clearance. (If you get stuck out here with no immediate help, there's no cell service and it's a LONG way back to civilization.) Travel time between hwy 117 and 53 on backcountry byway is about 2-2.5 hours. Chain-of-Craters is a much older volcanic field than El Malpais and many cinder/scoria cones and lava tubes can be accessed in the area.
