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Information courtesy of National Park Service

A sea of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush describes this “weird and scenic landscape” known as Craters of the Moon. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve contains three major lava fields covering almost half a million acres. These remarkably well preserved volcanic features resulted from geologic events that appear to have happened yesterday and will likely continue tomorrow… Crater Cam – Area Map – Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve – Detailed Map

Established by Presidential proclamation in 1924, Craters of the Moon National Monument has been enlarged by additional proclamations. The expanded Monument and Preserve are co-managed by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

Operating Hours & Seasons

The Monument and Preserve remain open all year, although winter snows limit automobile access around the Loop Drive and on roads in the Preserve. The visitor center is open seven days a week throughout the year except for winter holidays. The visitor center contains a museum with exhibits explaining the natural and cultural history of the area.

A seven mile scenic drive starts just beyond the visitor center. This drive provides scenic views of lava flows and cinder cones and trail hiking opportunties ranging from a few hundreds yards to eight miles. A campground near the visitor center provides sites for campers.

Getting There:

By Plane – Nearest airports are located in Hailey, Idaho (60 miles), Idaho Falls, Idaho (84 miles), and Twin Falls, Idaho (90 miles)

By Car – 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles northeast of Carey, Idaho on Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls.

Getting Around (No public transportation)

ACTIVITIES:
The Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (except for winter holidays). There are exhibits and a wide selection of books available from the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association.

Craters of the Moon sits astride the “Great Rift.” Eight times in the past 15,000 years lava poured from cracks which opened along this weak spot in the earth’s crust. Expanding gases in the lava ejected bubbly rocks hundreds of feet into the air. In some cases these cinders showered the ground to form cones. Less explosive lava flowed in sheets and rivers. The lava moving beneath the congealing crust sometimes tugged the surface into folds resembling coils of rope. This type of lava is called pahoehoe, which means “ropy” in Hawaiian. Cooler, thicker aa lava—with a consistency much like peanut butter—inched along, twisting and shattering into tumbled masses of jagged rocks. Aa is a Hawaiian word loosely translated as “rough on the feet,” a description worth keeping in mind as you select your hiking shoes.

You may see all these volcanic features, and others too, on the trails described below. Numbers in parentheses correspond to parking areas as marked on the park brochure. Trail mileages are one way.

There is a 52-site campground among the lava formations beyond the visitor center. The camping fee is $10 per night per campsite. Campsites are equipped with a picnic table and grill, with running water and restrooms nearby. There are no hookups, showers, or dump station. Because wood is scarce in this volcanic desert, wood fires are prohibited in the campground. Charcoal for cooking is on sale at the visitor center. Camping is on a first come, first served basis.

The wilderness trail leads four miles from the Tree Molds parking lot to the Sentinel. The Lava Trees and Echo Crater both make good day hike destinations. Most backpackers spend the night at Echo Crater, three miles from the trailhead, but there are also camping opportunities at the Sentinel and beyond.

Begin at the Tree Molds parking lot. Walk back along the road approximately 75 yards to a trail on the right. You will hike over Broken Top cinder cone, passing through stands of antelope bitterbrush and rubber rabbitbrush. The trail then enters the cool shade of a limber pine grove before descending onto the most recent lava flow in the monument.

At this point you may detour cross-country to Buffalo Caves. Approximately 50 yards beyond where the trail hits the lava flow at the base of Broken Top, watch for a large pile of rocks (cairn) on the right of the trail. Follow the cairns along the base of Broken Top for 100 yards to reach the cave entrance. In the cave wear a helmet or hat to protect your head and carry a flashlight. It is not wise to enter caves alone. Backtrack to return to the wilderness trail.

The trail continues past Big Cinder Butte, which rises 800 feet above you. A half mile beyond Big Cinder, look for a series of lava trees and fissures West of the trail. The trail winds between Coyote and Crescent Buttes to Echo Crater. Be sure to climb to the rim for a spectacular view of the row of cinder cones that mark the Great Rift. From the top, it is an easy walk down the south side of the cone. You can go into the crater and find protection from the sun and wind under the limber pines.

The hiking trail becomes less distinct beyond Echo Crater, but can be followed as far as the Sentinel, where it disappears altogether. You can travel cross-country beyond that point; however, dense shrubs and uneven lava make the going slow and sometimes unpleasant. Wear long pants for bush whacking or your legs will get shredded!

ENTRANCE FEES

Individual (foot or bicycle) – Fees – $3.00 – 7 Days

Private vehicle – Fees – $5.00 – 7 Days

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
18 miles W of Arco on Hwy 20
P.O. Box 29, Arco, ID 83213
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Craters of the Moon National Monument
Bureau of Land Management
Shoshone Field Office, P.O. Box 2B, Shoshone, ID 83352

By Phone
Visitor Information
(208) 527-3257
Headquarters
(208) 527-3257
By Fax
208-527-3073

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