This volcanic landscape in Idaho contains vast lava fields, cinder cones, and deep caves formed over 15,000 years ago. Visitors can explore unique basalt formations.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve covers 1,117 square miles in Idaho, shaped by volcanic eruptions along a 52-mile fissure called the Great Rift. Walk on fields of sharp lava rock, look into deep cinder cones like Inferno Cone, and explore underground tunnels formed by molten rock over 2,000 years ago. Early visitors thought the black rock and sparse plants resembled the moon’s surface, giving the area its name. The park’s lack of light pollution makes it one of the best places in the U.S. to see stars, a fact recognized by its 2017 International Dark Sky Park designation. Begin at the Robert Limbert Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps and start the seven-mile Loop Road to trails, caves, and viewpoints.
Start your visit by driving the seven-mile Loop Road, which connects key sights. Stop at Inferno Cone, a 6,181-foot hill of loose cinders—hike to the top for views of the Snake River Plain. Walk the Devil’s Orchard Trail, a half-mile paved path winding through lava fragments and twisted pines. At North Crater Flow, a flat trail crosses a 2,000-year-old lava river with textures ranging from smooth to jagged. The road closes to cars from November to mid-April but becomes a route for cross-country skiing; rangers lend snowshoes for guided winter hikes.
Choose from over 20 trails that take you past volcanic formations. The Broken Top Loop, a 1.8-mile hike, circles a cinder cone and passes lava bombs the size of cars. For a longer trek, try the 4-mile Wilderness Trail to the Tree Molds, where lava once engulfed trees, leaving behind hollow molds. Get a free backcountry camping permit at the visitor center if you plan to stay overnight—bring all your water, as none is available. Southwest of the Loop Road, rough dirt roads lead to less-visited areas like Echo Crater, a lava tube system best explored with a high-clearance vehicle.
Four caves formed by ancient lava flows sit near the end of the Loop Road. Indian Tunnel, the largest, stretches 800 feet with collapsed ceilings that let sunlight filter in. Before entering any cave, get a free permit at the visitor center to help prevent the spread of bat diseases. Bring a strong flashlight, wear thick-soled shoes to protect against sharp rocks, and avoid touching cave walls to preserve mineral growths. Ice often stays in the caves until June, so check for closures if visiting in spring.
The Lava Flow Campground has 41 sites available first-come, first-served from May to September. Each site includes a picnic table and grill, with restrooms nearby (running water is seasonal). Campfires aren’t allowed due to the lack of firewood, but you can use portable stoves. In winter, the campground stays open for tents, but services are minimal. For fewer crowds, visit in late September or October when temperatures drop. Groups of 10–30 can reserve sites online through Recreation.gov.
The park sits on the Great Rift, a crack in the Earth’s crust that erupted repeatedly over 15,000 years. The youngest lava flow, called the Blue Dragon Flow, has glassy rocks with a blue sheen caused by light reflecting off tiny mineral crystals. At the visitor center, exhibits explain how gas bubbles in lava created features like spatter cones—steep mounds of sticky lava—and pressure ridges, where cooling rock cracked into jagged lines. Join ranger talks in summer to learn how plants like limber pine grow in cracks between rocks.
Sagebrush grows in older lava fields, while younger flows have pockets of soil where wildflowers like bitterroot bloom in spring. Look for elk grazing in open areas and listen for pikas—small mammals related to rabbits—whistling near cinder cones. Over 200 bird species nest here, including prairie falcons that hunt over lava fields. After dark, the park’s lack of artificial light lets you see the Milky Way clearly, especially during meteor showers.
Pick up maps and permits at the Robert Limbert Visitor Center before exploring. Summer temperatures often exceed 80°F, and lava rocks can get hot enough to burn skin—hike in the morning and carry at least one gallon of water per person. Pets are allowed only in parking areas and the campground; never leave them in cars. Check the park’s website for 2024 events like guided hikes and astronomy programs. To reach the park from Arco, drive 18 miles southwest on Highway 20.
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