When traveling we not only like looking for new attractions to visit, but we also look for beautiful places in nature to visit along with national parks & popular tourist spots. I like to plan our trips ahead of time and we pack as much into our trips as well can to make the most out of our time. On our recent trip into New Mexico, I knew we would be arriving in the state would be on Christmas, so we didn't expect much to be open. I did manage to find a tourist type spot to visit on our way into New Mexico that would be open on Christmas & that spot was the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook. We were traveling along Interstate 40 into Albuquerque, and the bluffs is just a short twenty-five-minute drive down the 117 in Grants, New Mexico.
When you google this area, you will find two different areas, the first is the El Malpais National Monument & a little further down the road the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook. We visited the actual Sandstones Bluff overlook; the national monument was closed for the holidays. However, if you were to visit any other time there is a welcome center at the national monument. The bluffs overlook is down a dirt road just off of the highway, you will drive down about two miles of dirt road. The road itself isn't bad, pretty much every vehicle type will be able to make it to the destination without any issues. You'll find a small parking lot at the end along with a singular bathroom.
After a long drive from Phoenix, this was a great spot to get out and stretch our legs while checking out some gorgeous views. This spot looks down onto the lava fields, which can be hard to see depending on the time of the year due to the vegetation that has grown over the lava rocks, however quite a bit of it is still visible. The sandstone bluff itself is also a sight to see, I loved walking along the top of the rocks seeing where pools of water have formed holes into the stones, seeing where the wind has carved out markings into the stones and watching birds fly by looking for tourists to drop a snack.
The sand that comes from this area is so soft, if you visit be sure to feel the sand. Also helpful to know before you go; This area is free to visit! The bathroom lock didn't work very well, so I would have someone stand outside so no one walks in on you. There is very little shade, I would bring a hat to wear and don't forget your sunblock, water and hand sanitizer. We didn't stop at it, because I completely forgot I saw it on the map, but on the dirt road leading into this spot is an old stone cottage that is still partially intact that you can take photos at. The address for this on google maps is "Sandstone Bluff Overlook, Grants, NM 87020"
🚗Looking for more fun travel destinations? I have posted about some wonderful places to visit in Arizona, California, Nevada & New Mexico! In the search bar of my blog you can type in "Things to do in ___" (add the state) and it will bring up all the posts I've done in those states.
🟊 This is not a sponsored post, we paid for this ourselves. I just enjoy sharing awesome spots with my readers.
