Craters of the Moon National Monument

Craters of the Moon National Monument - Idaho

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Craters of the Moon National Monument was set aside back in 1924 to preserve the unique volcanic features. The Craters of the Moon Lava Field is the largest (618 sq. miles) basaltic, dominantly Holocene (last 10,000 years) lava field in the conterminous United States. The monument, which protects 83 square miles of the field, provides a stunning array of volcanic features and is literally an outdoor classroom. The features include: lava flows such as pahoehoe, aa, and blocky; cinder cones; spatter cones; rafted blocks; and lava tubes (caves). It hosts a fascinating number of plants and animals adapted to live in the harsh volcanic and high desert environment.

Location Information
Operating Hours/Seasons
Reservations/Permits
Fees, Costs and Rates
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Facilities and Opportunities (including trails, camping, concessions)
Recommended Activities
Visitation
Special Events Programs
Adjacent Visitor Attractions

Location Information:

18 miles west of Arco, Idaho

Address:
P.O. Box 29
Arco, ID 83213

Telephone:
(208) 527-3257

Directions:
Follow highway 93/26/20 west 18 miles from Arco, ID to the park entrance.

Transporation:
To Park: no public transportation available.
In Park: none, rental vehicles in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Hailey.

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Operating Hours/Seasons:

The visitor center is open daily:
Summer - 8:00 AM to 6 PM;
Spring, Fall and Winter - 8 AM to 4:30 PM (closed Winter Holidays).

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Reservations/Permits:

Reservations for educational groups required for orientations.
Backcountry use permits required.
Reservation for Lavaflow Campground not accepted - first come basis.

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Fees, Costs and Rates:

Vehicle - $4.00
Individual - $2.00
Camping - $10.00 per site, per night.

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Climate, Recommended Clothing:

Summer: Average high temperature 84 F, low 51 F;

Winter: Average high temperature 31 F, low 12 F; precipitation, average 17 inches per year.

Wear sturdy boots for hiking. Water is only available at the visitor center and the campground. A flashlight is required to explore lava tubes (caves), and a hat is recommended. Bring sun-screen and sunglasses. In winter bring layers.

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Facilities and Opportunities:

Visitor Center/Exhibits
Visitor center is located at the park entrance; information, exhibits, book sales outlet.

Trails, Roads
Seven mile loop drive through monument, numerous trails from 1/4 to 8 miles round trip.

Programs/Activities
Summer - regularly scheduled guided walks and programs.

Lodging and camping facilities
Fifty-two site campground with restrooms, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and scattered water taps. No hookups. No wood fires allowed.

Food/supplies
Snack and pop machines available at visitor center.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities
A book store managed by the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association is located in the visitor center.

Accessibility
Visitor center is accessible. Barrier-free trail at Devil's Orchard (one-half mile in length).

Special Needs
Road and parking areas will accommodate commercial buses and recreational vehicles.

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Recommended Activities/Park Use

Summer/Spring/Fall - Hiking, self-guided trails, wildlife and plant viewing, photography, sight seeing, caving, and backpacking in the wilderness.

Winter - Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, telemarking, skate skiing, photography, observing animal tracks in snow.

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Visitation

Highest in July and August; Lowest in December and January.

Basic Visit Recommendations

Summer - A visit of three hours allows sight-seeing at major sites. Allow 1 or more full days to experience all of the hiking trails and scheduled programs. Stop at the visitor center for advice.

Spring/Fall/Winter - stop at visitor center for trail and safety information.

Visitor Impacts
Visitors are encouraged to stay on the trails to prevent damage to fragile rock surfaces. Some areas closed to off-trail use--check at the visitor center.

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Special Events Programs

Winterfest is held in early February.
Special Saturday programs during the summer.

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Adjacent Visitor Attractions

Craters of the Moon National Monument is part of the Columbia Cascades Cluster.

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