National Monument & Preserve

Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

West

Plan a Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve trip

About Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow.

From the National Park Service.

Region: West
State: Idaho
Designation: National Monument & Preserve
Entrance fee: $20, private vehicle

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve.

Entrance fees

$20 Private Vehicle This per-vehicle fee applies to private, non-commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. The fee covers the driver and any passengers.
$15 Motorcycle
$10 Per Person
Free Education/Academic Groups

Passes

$35 Annual Entrance - Park

Hours

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

Open 24 hours a day, every day.

The Loop Road is typically open from mid April through late November as conditions allow.

Weather and when to go

Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. Intense summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 170°F and air temperatures in the 90s. Drying winds are a daily occurrence, especially in the afternoon, and may reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.

Getting there

Visitor Center and Loop Drive are located 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles northeast of Carey, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls. Physical address is 1266 Craters Loop Road(Lat/Long: 43° 27.711'N/113° 33.7) Access to the main visitor use area is via a paved highway. Unpaved roads provide additional access to the BLM monument and NPS Preserve but should only be utilized by four wheel drive and high clearance vehicles.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: Craters of the Moon National Monument, 1266 Craters Loop Road, Arco, ID 83213
Phone: (208) 527-1300
Email: crmo_information@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/crmo

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Visit Craters in Winter

Cross-Country Skiing · about 45 min

Tour a lava wonderland blanketed in snow. Winter visitors can enjoy skiing the groomed park road or venture into the park on snowshoes.
Hike Devils Orchard

Hiking · about 35 min

Enjoy an easy, 0.5 mile walk through an open limber pine woodland.
Visit the Spatter Cones

Hiking · about 15 min

Take a short walk to view some of the park's mini-volcanoes up close and personal.
Explore a Cave

Caving · about 1.2 hours

Explore Craters' dynamic underground world of lava tubes.
Stargazing at Craters of the Moon

Stargazing · about 45 min

See the night sky like never before! The natural darkness of Craters of the Moon lends to superior stargazing opportunities.
Backpack the Craters of the Moon Wilderness

Backcountry Camping · about 45 min

Immerse yourself in the solitude of the Craters of the Moon Wilderness.
Hike the North Crater Trail

Hiking · about 1.7 hours

This strenuous 3.5-mile trail drops into the mouth of North Crater.
Hike Broken Top Loop

Hiking · about 1.2 hours

Find a variety of unique volcanic features on this moderate-difficulty 1.8 mile loop.
Hike Up Inferno Cone

Hiking · about 35 min

Climb a short but very steep trail to the top of a volcanic cone for awe-inspiring views.

Campgrounds in Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.

Lava Flow Campground

42 first-come sites

The Lava Flow Campground is a 42-site campground accessible by automobile from May through November depending on snow conditions. All sites are available on a…