Craters of the Moon National Monument

We stayed at the campsite with was awesome! On the loop road there are many great hikes and everything is so well looked after with plenty of parking places even for a 33ft RV. The hikes are lovely from short to more strenuous. I would give it 10 stars if i could! The campsite and the Park

In a addition to the interesting, expansive scenery and wide-open lava fields, there are plenty of bathrooms at trailheads, picnic areas, and well defined trails. The trails have great signage about what to expect, such as length and incline, and many can be done by wheelchairs. A great place for all ages and abilities.

Fascinating place, driving along the main highway you get a glimpse of the enormity of the site, but the real ‘goodies’ are actually inside the park! Driving round the scenic route you get to see many different aspects of the park, but getting out on the short trails gets you really close up.

What a hidden gem! I was pleasantly surprised at the whole experience! Feel free to fall in love with Bob the little Pika astronaut. And please give to Project Bob. It does make a difference to give everyone a chance to make memories out there on the well marked trails including some that are beautifully designed for wheelchair accessibility. I found the signs information awesome! What! A scientist wrote detailed description of the paths, the formations, and the animals that are found there! Perfect! There are clean bathrooms, nice little gift shop, very informative rangers near entrance. Give this a try, you won't regret it! 2 thumbs up!

This place is fascinating and mesmerizing. I love being here. The park rangers and staff are all so helpful and knowledgeable. The visitor center has exhibits, maps, etc that help in understanding the history and formation of this place Give yourself plenty of time to see and enjoy this place

if you like lava you will like it here there is a lot of old lava but not a lot of new lava there is lots of lava rocks and ash this place is big my favorite part was the big black hill thingy definitely worth a quick stop I would say i love idaho

Craters of the Moon is definitely worth going out of the way for. The ancient volcanic landscapes is otherworldly. I had no idea we had this in Idaho. Thought one would have to go to Hawaii, or Sicily or West Africa. Amazing!

Very cool!!! Caves were fun to go through, but you probably can't get through safely without a flashlight. 🤣 long walk to get to caves, but it's worth it. Park rangers were super friendly and gave lots of advice for caves and around the park.

I honestly never knew this place existed, but I love a national park, so we drove a few hours to get here. We came at the perfect time, late in the day in September when the park had emptied out and the weather was cooler. It was almost like a ghost town. There are lots of paths to walk, and I think this place would even be great for someone in a wheelchair since the paths were so nice and smooth. The welcome ranger was a doll and the gift shop was decent. I do wish they had a little movie screening room that shared some history about the place. That would have made the visit even better!! Bathrooms were nice and clean.

It's a bit off the beaten path but worth the detour. Some may think this is a barren, volcanic graveyard but they would be way wrong. There were so many colors, textures, shapes, caves, cones, spatters, and life in this National Monument. Loved the hiking and views. We did the north crater trail starting away from the visitor and going about half way. There are some big hills walking in sand so it's not an easy trek and half way was enough. The views looking into the crater are awesome. The broken top loop trail gave you a more up close look at the vibrant vegetation. The first part is uphill but after it down and flat. We did the Indian Cave which had plenty of light. It does involve traversing rocks so be prepared. You'll need solid shoes. You need to get a stamp to go into the caves. Stop at the visitor center to answer 2 simple questions. My fav trail was the Inferno Cone viewpoint. The first part is steep but the views from the top are amazing. So worth it.

Craters of the Moon National Monument sort of sits alone in the middle of Southern Idaho. It's its own beast so to speak, if that even makes any sense, lol. But if you're exploring in this part of Idaho, it can be well blended into a worthwhile itinerary. I guess what I'm trying to hint at is...I'd like to relay how I came to visit, going east to west. Craters of the Moon is located 80 miles northwest of Blackfoot, Idaho. You can stop by the charming Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot before coming here for a full day. You can camp at Craters of the Moon if interested, but I made visiting just a daytrip which was more than enough time to explore the rugged volcanic landscape before driving 90 miles south back into civilization and the city of Twin Falls which (btw)...hosts some terrific waterfalls. There is no entrance fee at Craters of the Moon. And...it's accessible to everyone without having to hike or work hard to better understand what makes this desolate, under the radar monument so unique. There are 8 stops to check out along a scenic 7-mile park loop road. Each stop offers mostly short to medium length paved pathways for visitors to wander around and come face to face with " a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush" according to visitidaho.org. Upon starting out, make sure to head inside the Visitor Center to pick up souvenirs, get your Parks Passport stamped, speak with a ranger if you have any questions and...receive a free permit to explore Stop #8 - the Caves Area. Without this permit, you cannot see The Caves. All that's required to obtain the permit is answering a few simple questions confirming your footwear hasn't been exposed to elements that can harm the resident bats of the caves. Then, you're good to go for the day. Also, bring food with you because the park offers nothing and the nearest gas station/market is 20 miles away in Arco, Idaho. Let me briefly run down the 8 Craters of the Moon stops in the park before whoever's reading this gets bored real fast and swipes away to the next review, lol... Stop 1 - Visitor Center Stop 2 - North Crater Flow Trail - 1/3rd of a mile boardwalk loop to confront some of the newest lava in the park. Stop 3 - North Crater Trail - 3.6 mile roundtrip loop that traverses Big Craters and North Crater. Stop 4 - Devils Orchard Nature Trail - 1/2 mile paved walk for more exposure to scattered islands of lava. Stop 5 - Inferno Cone - this is probably the main event activity at Craters of the Moon. It's a steep 1/4 of a mile trek up to the summit for 360 panoramic views from high above. The scenery is nice and pleasant but nothing dramatic. It can be pretty windy at the top of Inferno Cone. Stop 6 - Spatter Cones & Snow Cone - very short strolls to catch glimpses inside mini volcanoes. No way to sugarcoat this experience but to say they are a waste of time. Absolutely nothing to see. Stop 7 - Tree Molds Trail, Broken Top Loop Trail & Wilderness Trail. Wilderness Trail is 8 miles roundtrip so I skipped that. But...I hiked Tree Molds Trail and Broken Top Loop Trail which are 2 miles roundtrip each and they were okay. The surroundings got a little redundant at this point in the day. It's just more walking among ashy volcanic settings. The hikes are casual without much elevation but they give you more in depth looks into the remoteness of Craters of the Moon. Stop 8 - Caves Area - from the parking lot, Dewdrop Cave is 1/4 of a mile away. It's a quick introduction cave. Next, you can veer to the right and Indian Tunnel Cave or towards the left and Boy Scout and Beauty Caves. I chose Indian Tunnel which (imo) is the most recognizable cave at Craters of the Moon. There's a sturdy staircase to venture down with plenty of lighting and spacing for beginner explorers. Boy Scout Cave (I skipped) can be advanced with a very tight opening which could require crawling and be problematic for people who are claustrophobic (like myself). Finally, Beauty Cave is a 300 foot long tunnel with a wide opening and some scrambling to reach the bottom. It's just okay inside and not too photogenic. And that's all. In the end, I wouldn't say Craters of the Moon is extraordinarily special, but since there aren't too many parks and monuments around Idaho, making the effort to introduce and expose yourself to volcanic lava tubes, rifts, craters and fissures can make for a rewarding day in the great outdoors.

I have visited a lot of national parks and preserves recently and honestly this one is probably my least favorite. I think it probably just depends on what you like and what you're interested in. If you are super into geology and rock formations then you might really enjoy a stop here. I definitely learned a few things and the landscape is interesting, but here's a pro tip: the welcome center is before the gate to pay $20 to get in, so if you just need to use the restroom you can do that for free. Also, it's not very pet friendly and most of the landscape looks similar to the surrounding area, so if you're a little adventurous you can experience it in your own way. It was a lovely drive, I just found myself getting a little bored but to be fair, my husband liked it a lot more than I did. So to each their own. It's good to get out into nature and support national monuments.

Such a cool place to visit! We love our National Park Pass and I'm glad we decided to make the drive up to Craters of the Moon. The visitor center has nice restrooms, a few informational exhibits, and of course a bookstore. If you are going to visit the caves, make sure you ask for a free permit here. I talked to the ranger on duty for easier walk/hike suggestions and he was great and provided several options. Even if you aren't a big hiker, there are some paved trails that aren't too long and you get to see plenty. Worth a trip!

We went again - 8 years after our first effort. The review remains exactly the same - except we went in the morning and it was cooler. So... take a look at the review from 2017 - gives you what you need to know!

Craters of the Moon is a beautiful National Park located in Idaho. That is made up of lava fields. Some things that I recommend doing while you are there include climbing the inferno cone. This will give you a view of cinder cones along the Great Rift. Also, another must is to explore the Indian Tunnel lava tube. You'll need to stop at the visitor's center to get a free permit. It was beautiful inside, and I loved watching the birds fly in and out.

Visitors center is air conditioned with clean facilities. Dogs not allowed inside or on the trails-- too hard on their paws. Some picnic spots are shaded. It was only 70 degrees and windy (nice cooling breeze) so pretty nice on our visit. But on most summer days it's hot, the sun sometimes heating the dark lava to 170 degrees! Folks recommend visiting early morning, or coming for star gazing.

Truly a unique experience in the middle of nowhere, Idaho! Very chill experience, no crowds, and a landscape you can't see anywhere else. It somewhat reminded us of Kona (Big Island, Hawaii) because of the large black volcanic rocks. The drive from Hailey wasn't bad at all. There are hikes for everyone here- very accessible and lots of paved sections. You can see mini volcanoes, big craters, caves, and climb the Inferno Cone! It's windy and sunny, so bring a hat that will stay on, plus a headlamp or flashlight for the caves. Pick up a free caves permit at the visitor center when you first arrive- make sure you're wearing clothes and shoes that have never been in other caves.

his is a tougher national park site to reach but it's a beauty! There's so much to see and hike. The landscape is lava rock and a mix of black, charcoal, and shreds of green from shrubs and a few trees. If you're camping be careful with your gear because everything is sharp. There's lots of hiking available but absolutely no cover so be mindful of heat or rain. The visitors center is great with tons of info and exhibits. This year (2024) is their centennial so check out the special programs and stamps.

As always the National Parks and National Monuments are something to behold and experience in the United States as there are many remarkable geographical features and a wide range of variety so each park provides a different experience. Craters of the Moon is a lava field and a very impressive one at that as it takes up a considerable area. Walking paths throughout the monument is highly doable and you don't have to be an advanced hiker to see some beautiful country and features but there are some challenging paths as well in which at the beginning of the trail it states how difficult the path will be at the trail head. There is a path that goes into lava tube caves but you need special permits to acknowledge and and have the knowledge of accommodating the bats that roost there. I loved the big, black volcanic hill ( the Inferno Cone) some folks were going up which was made up of sand and going into an extinct volcanic cone was also a highlight while visiting here. Excellent information on the area and the history and the park's environmental state. It's encouraged to bring water while walking these paths and sun protection and this is where the only gripe that comes into play here that I have and that's that the visitor station when you come into the park had vending machines for water but they were completely out of stock... ok... well I guess that can happen during tourist season I guess. The next hang up was that the gift shop in the same building couldn't take debit or credit cards at the time and that they would only accept cash. And wouldn't you know it there is no ATM that was spotted to do such a transaction. So I would recommend to bring water from perhaps one of the not so near towns on the way to the park and maybe even a bit of cash. These things were temporary but you don't want to go there and get caught in those types of snags. Despite those two issues with the visitor station it didn't diminish my review at all from giving the National Monument five stars as it is very much a beautiful place and well worth making the stop if it can be worked into your road trip schedule.

Out of this world experience! You feel like you are transported to another planet or maybe even the moon. Impressive to see all these lava rock formations and be able to walk through/ on them. Highly recommend getting a cave pass. Even if you don't go all the way in, you will feel in awe of the wonders of nature. Most of the areas to walk on are paved making it easier to get to the caves and enjoy the "scenery". For people that aren't able to walk easily or just want a quick look, you enjoy some views on the car ride through the park too. Volcano Cove was a fun stop and picture op, and don't miss the Dwarf Buckwheat fields - amazing how this little flowers withstand the dry soil and weather and bloom here. Definitely a must when in Idaho.

When I was a kid, my dad had HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime, you could say, he loves his movies. Often as it was back then, movies played multiple times a day at selected times. Matter of fact, there was a published guide that let you know when the movies were going to start. One of those movies that got significant movie time was Capricorn One. When I moved to Idaho in 2003, I imagined that Craters of the Moon was used as the film's setting. While this was not accurate, as the movie's plot involved Mars and the Craters of the Moon National Monument reassembles more of the lunar landscape, it still stuck in my head. While Capricorn One was a movie and was not filmed in Idaho, real astronauts did train at the Craters of the Moon and then came back in 1999 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Craters of the Moon park. How cool is that? It only took 7 years after moving to finally visit the Craters of the Moon, boy why did I wait so long? It's EPIC in every sense of the word. It's definitely a complete day trip for most of us that live in the Boise area and it can be tricky especially if you go the back way but if you plan it right and go when it's not super hot like it is right now, you'll instantly be transported to a weird and wonderful land. When to visit is critical, below is an excerpt from the Craters of the Moon website Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, the average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. The 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. It is open 24 hours and there are brave souls that camp there. It's surreal and a treasure to have right here in our backyard. Plan according and enjoy.

Has national parks go, this place is awesome. We decided to take a day trip from camping and someone recommended this place. Ancient lava beds, caves to spelunke in. Beautiful rock formations, twisted trees. I can see where they call this craters of the moon. Before entering the park, we stopped at the visitor center and received our permit to go into the caves. Two of the caves were closed due to ice. There's also a nice gift shop where you can purchase coffee mugs, memorabilia, books and such. The Ranger at the Park station when we entered the park was extremely helpful. We got a map and asked where the most popular places were. A campground right as you enter on the right, it's a bit blank and desolate lol. If you want to camp on the moon, or Mars even, this is a place you should camp. It's right out of John Carter. What does See: Devils Orchard Snow cone Inferno cone Dewdrop cave Boy Scout cave It is recommended that you download the official app before planning a trip here. We did not do this. It's actually not a very large park, so everything's kind of on a loop. Would recommend getting there early serve enough time to see everything

Ok, I literally felt like I was on another planet! This place was awesome. Stop by the visitor center first and get some info and the free cave permit. They ladies in there answered all my questions. If you're with children, I saw they had a little ranger badge program and the kids who did it were so excited. It was smoky from the salmon fires today so we wore bandanas over our faces which helped. Tips: wear hiking shoes and pants. Take a small flashlight (or those lights that clip to your hat) so you don't use all your phones battery and can still take pics. Do all the trails.., it's worth it. Be careful on the dewdrop cave, the rocks are wobbly. The Indian cave was the best. It has stairs and is the biggest. It was incredible. Also buy the cave maps for $0.50 in the visitors center. Makes navigating the caves easier!

Who knew there was ever volcanic activity in Idaho? I definitely didn't. This place reminded me of being in Hawaii or Iceland. It's a pretty small park. We spent a day here and I felt like that was enough time. There's a loop through the park with lots of short trails to stop at along the way. Our stops were: Devil's Orchard (.5 miles, easy), Inferno Cone (.4 miles, easy), Spatter Cones (short walk), Tree Molds Trail (2.1 miles, easy), and Broken Top Loop Trail (1.8 miles, easy). I'm not sure I would drive way out of my way to come here, but it's a good stop along your way or could be good for a quick weekend trip.

We stopped here on our way from Mississippi to California and I'm so glad we did. It's august so it's pretty hot, but once you get into the caves- it's easily 60 degrees. Within the main cave we went into, there were 3 different routes we went into and it was very neat. We didn't have enough time to see the other caves but we were entertained by it for over 2 hours before we needed to be back on the road. If you're coming this way, definitely check it out!

I'm not sure you'd want to go out of your way to get here--- but I made a point to swing by on my road trip and didn't regret it. It's cool... but it's not a remarkably beautiful or interesting place. Maybe it's because I had just visited Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons the day before. Or maybe because everything feels like a crusty, dirty, desert planet. But, yeah, it's a COOL crusty, dirty, desert planet. Geologists in the 20s helped get the Monument was established in May 1924, which makes it as old as MGM, Mercedes-Benz, the fax machine, and the Leopold-Loeb murders. By 2002, the NPS got involved. Though the National Park is roughly the size of Rhode Island, the NPS mapped out a small portion perfect for the visitor center, camping, and a variety of sights within a 7 mile loop. If not for recent hip replacement that kept me from walking the mile-long trails, I would have enjoyed it more, the rocks, and the soot, and the cones, the holes, the crags, and the fraggle rocks, etc. History: Paleo-Indians visited the area about 12,000 years ago but did not leave much archaeological evidence other than their healthy eating, fifty-five percent seafood and lean meat, fifteen percent each of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds. Shoshone legend says that a serpent, angered by lightning, coiled around the mountain and squeezed it until lava shot from the rifts and the mountain exploded. Fake news. IN the 1850s, this was an alternate of the Oregon Trail. It was created to avoid Native American ambush, like the one at Massacre Rocks. Why they traveled through a place called Massacre Rocks beats me. In the late 19th century, Washington Irving used an explorer's diaries of his visits to write the Adventures of Captain Bonneville, describing it as a place "where nothing meets the eye but a desolate and awful waste, where no grass grows nor water runs, and where nothing is to be seen but lava." That's not in the brochure. "Hey, come on down and see desolate, waterless, awful waste- hang right at Massacre Rocks, turn left at Certain Death Flats. If you see the bloody handprints of baby settlers you've gone too far"

Zero people I have shared my Craters experience with have heard of this place, nor do they hardly believe it exists. But it does, people, so get out here and enjoy! Off the path and primarily visited by passport stamp people, Craters lava will amaze and enthrall. Just try to get into the shade and be prepared for grumpy sweaty kids. There's wavy lava, pebble lava, lava rock, lava beds, lava lava lava. In the end it's worth it; step back into the AC. Or, unlike us, just visit in cooler temps like all the non-crazy people.

Absolutely spectacular sight of nature. Volcanic cinders and lava flow. The park also has an entrance fee for day use and camping . 7 mile loop also has trails to lava caves. Amazing lava field and geological history.

I want to write a positive review of this Monument so I'll focus on what it is and not on my boredom with the landscape. I was honestly surprised to see miles and miles of basalt piled on the plain in of all places, Idaho. I think of Idaho as mountains and potatoes so seeing a few shield volcanoes and basalt for as far as the eye can see was interesting. I do enjoy geology and I found the visitors center very interesting. I included a photograph of the basalt, it's very close to what most of the park looks like. I'd recommend this Monument for its educational value, but don't expect beauty, at least not IMO. If you're in the area, I recommend a stop at the visitors center and one of the few, short hikes, but again, IMO, this is not, in any way, a destination unto itself.

this is a wonderful site for both the serious outdoors people and novices alike. The drive around the park offers plenty of views of preserved volcanic activity along with beautiful wild flowers. you can easily see most things in a day. this is one of those places you really need to check weather reports before you go. we were lucky to have gone on a really nice day but some places were closed due to snow. Other times it can be extremely hot or extremely cold. The park itself is a preserved volcanic eruption that has all of these wonderful geological features that form after such an eruption. The eruption also formed these caves that can also be explored. plenty of hiking trails and caves to explore for those that are in to that. I do not recommend bringing small children here (even though we saw plenty wo did just that) or anyone with mobility issues. There are plenty of areas where people can easily trip and fall and sustain some very serious injuries.

This is a must see monument while you're in south Idaho! The volcanic terrain and hills are astonishing and you can take a few hikes in the area to see more. There is a campsite right at the park entrance, too. Make sure you have water as it gets pretty hot here in summer. The site staff was super friendly and helpful, too.

It's named "Craters of the Moon" because it feels like you're on another world when you explore the lava formations. There's not much else quite like it on Earth, so they're not kidding when they say it feels otherworldly! There's a scenic drive through much of the park with plenty of cool stops along the way: hiking trails, caves, unique rock formations. Unfortunately, the caves may be closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as may be the visitor center. I would check online beforehand--the NPS is pretty good about updating their sites with closures and other important notices. Even with possible closures, this is still an awesome one-of-a-kind place that will make you wish you had more time to explore.

Craters of the Moon may be a little out of the way for most people traveling through Southern Idaho, but it's one of the state's gems. It consists of 750,000 acres of land covered by lava from the Great Rift during volcanic explosions that took place more than 2,000 years ago. A seven-mile loop road accessible by cars, motorhomes and bicycles takes visitors past the main features. There are plenty of parking areas so people can explore hiking trails and see spatter cones and other lava features up close. Spring is the best time to visit. The temperatures are milder and visitors get to see an added bonus: thousands of wildflowers in bloom. Some hillsides are covered in blooms at the peak period near the middle of June. The flowers I have posted here were taken at that time. They're incredible. Look for the Craters phone app to identify the flowers seen in the park. The park lived up to its name in 1969, when astronauts Alan Shepard, Eugene Cernan, Edgar Mitchell and Jon Engle studied basic volcanic geology there as they prepared for their moon missions.

This place is worth a day trip. They have caves that you can explore. Remember to get a cave permit at the visitor center. Also, some of the caves are so dark you really need a flashlight. It was fun climbing the rocks trying to get inside the cave and exploring the dark rooms with a flashlight. I would skip the Tree Molds Trail and do the other trails.

NOT at all easy to get to!! But this incredible park is certainly worth a visit. As others have said: It is hard to believe such a place exists in Idaho, let alone America. Astronauts came here before going to the moon - and while the geological features of the moon have a different origin, it is easy to understand why being in this park would help someone acclimatize before traveling to a different planet. Small interpretive center - just enough information to educate those of us old enough to take it in, but not so much that those of us who can't read get bored and annoy everyone else. There are a few vending machines on site - otherwise, you are driving at least 20 miles to any services. The campground - while its fun.... you REALLY have to want to camp there. No reservations, a variety of sites but some are not accessible to trailers/RV and some have no tent pads. NO privacy. No wood fires. Am I selling this yet? Again - if the experience of camping in an unforgettable place is your thing, its totally worth it..... just make sure to come prepared.

A super cool monument with loads of places to explore. Craters of the Moon is spectacular in every way and any nature lover would see the greatness this place has. It's not the grandest in terms of beauty and greenery, which there is none, but it does offer amazing natural made views and formations. This is an area for people with all sorts of experience from beginner to expert. There are several trails that you can walk and hike as well as caves to explore. I have made it a point to come back here and explore even further as I only had a couple hours before I had to move on down the road. Overall, Craters of the Moon should be on everyone's bucket list!

Over the last week in May, I finally made it to a place which had been on my bucket list for many years. Due to it's out-of-the-way location, I hadn't been in the vicinity of the Craters of the Moon National Monument but had passed signs while traveling north on Interstate 15 over the years that had piqued my interest. On this trip, we made a dedicated detour on our way to Utah from our weekend stay in Sun Valley. The visitors center was clean and well staffed for the Memorial Day weekend and the parking lot was quite full. We picked up a map, got a cave pass (you need this and a flashlight if you want to go into the lava tube caves) and a map of the trails. Once we were organized we went by auto into the park where there are several stopping places to park for hikes of various lengths. We first stopped at the volcanic cinder cone which is composed of highly pours and light weight volcanic rock, similar to pumice. It was a nice hike up the hill to the summit where the panoramic views were spectacular. Also, we hit the park on a perfect week for viewing wildflowers which were blooming profusely in all areas, with their vivid colors contrasting against the stark black lava rock. After our cone hike, we went to the end of the road and parked near the loop trail, which gave a great overall feeling of the different bio environments which are present in the park. It also had one cave, which I went in with a flashlight as it went underground for about 100 yards. It was a different experience from other caves I have been in, with few stalactites, but weirdness due to the lava flow ripples on the floor. Back on the surface, the lava craters and flow beds we hiked through gave us the impression that we were in Hawaii, the only other place we had been with similar formed geological structures. The temperature was a pleasant 80 degrees or so, but, I have heard that it can get up to 140 degrees in the summer. So, I'd recommend visiting in the spring or fall if possible. Our visit to the Craters of the Moon was an excellent diversion and I highly recommend it.

Easily seen driving down Hwy 20, it is not a pretty place by any means. There are 618 square miles of crusty lava fields, ancient craters and cinder cones, black and reddish stone, some smooth, some crumbly, some sharp that will easily tear at your shoes, blanketing a very barren landscape. Almost colorless other than the bright blue sky above, there are a few brave trees and scraggly sagebrush with tiny wildflowers that somehow survive in this raw landscape. What little plant life there is, somehow finds its footing, just enough dirt and water to set down roots that start tearing away at the hardened devilish innards that unkindly spewed out of Mother Earth most recently 2,000 years ago. It is in sharp contrast to the surrounding (also ugly) flat, brown, dry landscape that managed to escape the oozing, fiery assault. The accessible part for vehicles only encompasses a small section of the lava flows that date from as far back as 15,000 years ago. According to the scientists, there is another one coming, the last was 2,000 + years ago, and they seem to occur about every 2,000 years. So pay attention if the ground starts to shake and those unforgiving temperatures take a turn for the worse. You can learn a good amount about the history of this landscape by stopping at the small visitors center. There is a good video to watch that puts this all into perspective. You can start at the small grassy area with a few concrete tables to enjoy a picnic lunch, and then you can drive by car around the loop. There are many places to get out, take pictures, hike a trail, and experience it firsthand, or you can stay longer and camp in the small campground to get the full effect of camping under the stars. But don't forget water, and don't expect shade unless you bring your own or discover the caves. It is curious how stubborn this planet is. Some day this land could be more fertile, if the violent activity doesn't start again. But it will, so don't hold your breath.

Craters of the Moon is a giant poorly-executed asphalt parking lot with layers and layers and layers of charcoal briquets on it. Hey, that's the cynical view and some people just won't like this place no matter what anyone says. I've been here twice, camped here once, and was first drawn to Craters of the Moon because I had read that NASA astronauts came here in 1969 to learn about volcanic geology as they prepared for their moon mission. If it's good enough for astronauts, it's good enough for me. I enjoy the black landscape and hiking on the trails let me get closer to the beautiful frozen lava flow patterns that can dazzle in the sun. To me, Craters of the Moon is not a spooky environment. Indeed, camp here for a night as the dark ground and sky merge into nothingness and stars above seem bigger and brighter than ever.

I find it rather shocking that the Craters of the Moon National Monument is not even listed in Yelp! This is one of the most fascinating places to visit - lava beds and tunnels, giant hills of lava sand. The landscape is so dramatic - that even in dark stormy conditions, it's fascinating to visit. After leaving Jackson WY, I headed into Eastern Idaho. The terrain changed from rolling agricultural land with antelopes to flat desert/prairie plains as I approached "Atomic City." There were some big buttes in the middle of nowhere - and big dark clouds to my left but no rain, more windiness but it was tolerable. I got to Arco and found a little picnic bench on the side of the main road for my lunch. Sadly, I opened it up and discovered that Lotus Cafe had packed up a pastrami rather than the requested vegan reuben (grr). Finally, lunchless again, I head off to Craters of the Moon and notice that I seem to be going right into the dark storm clouds approaching me on the road. The wind really picks up and almost sweeps me off the road! This was the first time that I considered actually turning around to try to outrun the wind or a storm - I had to plant both feet on the ground and was short of anything that would look like a wind break. Then I crept along and realized that Craters of the Moon park was actually 20 feet away just past the tiny rise - so I proceeded. As I was pulling out my maps in the parking lot, a woman and her family came up to tell me how worried they were - they were behind me and said that the last gust of wind was really scary from where they were, they were certain I was going to end up with the rubber side up. Her teenage son forgot this concern when he saw me take off my helmet and exclaimed gracelessly - "You're a WOMAN??" and continued to exercise his foot/mouth prerogative with various pronouncements about the badassery of being on a motorcycle and traveling "like that" and the conditions. Needless to say - the weather conditions did not make for exciting photography, and both camera and iPhone batteries died, but I did get some nice photos. Lava fields for as far as the eye can see - looks like broken chocolate (not chocolate you dropped on the floor, but chocolate you were heating up and which had too much water in it and gets all weird and lumpy). If you're not a fan of high desert landscapes - give this a miss, it'll help cut down on the crowds. Do bring your National Parks Pass - it'll get you in free!

The Craters of the Moon National Monument will be an experience unlike any other national park you go to. It may sound cliche, but there is a lot of truth to that. The National Park is an old volcanic site, which gives it an other-world feel when you are there. Upon first arrival, I thought I landed on another planet! The landscape was so desolate in a gorgeous way because there were charred volcanic formations everywhere. I simply cannot think of any examples of National parks in the world that are similar to Craters of the Moon! One of the most iconic sites is the Inferno Cone. You may have seen it as a small hill of black volcanic material, which is bleak yet beautiful. At the top of the hill, there are good views of the park that are worth your time. The Devil's Orchard Trail has at least a little bit of vegetation and it was fascinating to see the flora and fauna that could grow in such desolate environments. For instance, there are tiny pink flowers that grow randomly amongst the dirt and volcanic ashes on the ground. Some trees are absolutely dead while others are thriving, implying the spotty fertility underneath the dirt and volcanic ash.

For some reason, I neglected to review this park a couple of years back when I visited Idaho. Considering it is a park, I doubt much has changed in the two years since I visited- besides some Covid restrictions perhaps (which have probably been lifted since.) I planned specifically to go to Craters of the Moon along with the EBR-1 reactor museum, in September of 2019. It was a super hot day, and the park was moderately crowded but it wasn't insane like some parks during the summer months. There is a loop throughout the park's features, and a few stops to take photos and look into the caves and crevasses. Apparently you need to register for a pass in advance to go into the caves themselves- however, even in the shade, it was far too hot to do much walking (the ground temperature was around 130F.) The visitor center is fairly small but has a lot of displays and information- and a pressed penny machine! There are clean restrooms and vending machines. Not really notable, but a nice cool reprieve from the oppressing heat. Would I go out of my way to come here again? It is fairly unlikely- it was a great experience and had heard good things previously, but it doesn't have the spectacular beauty like other state/federal parks have. It is geological very much impressive- but it is still in the middle of a desert, and not a terribly interesting one like the Mojave. I honestly felt that the EBR-1 Reactor was far more interesting, and there are places in Idaho that are far more interesting to check out (the whole panhandle is spectacular.) I checked this park off my list, and I'm happy to do that at least.

Having lived in Idaho a long time, I've driven past Craters of the Moon numerous times and even visited as a child, but this year my friend and I went on a 3 hour guided snowshoe tour in the park. I didn't know they offered this service on Saturdays in January and February. Fun, education, exercise, all in the great Idaho outdoors! We had experienced snowshoers, novices (like me), and some folks who have never been on snowshoes so skill level doesn't matter. Our guide, Ranger Greg, was wonderful. He is an exceptional interpretive speaker, meaning he connected us with the history of the park and the National Park Service, the geology and creation of the formations in the park, and the joy and beauty of getting outdoors in nature. It was really interesting to snowshoe through a park that is normally covered in lava flow formations. We got to see some coyote, deer mouse, and snowshoe hare tracks and learn how they survive in the park during the winter. I'd suggest checking weather reports and road conditions before heading out. Get there about noon and sign in, and the tour starts at 1:00. If you don't have snow shoes, they have snowshoes to use for a requested $5 donation. The day we went was perfect -- 30 degrees and sunny. Snowshoeing is harder than just hiking so dress appropriately in layers so you don't get too hot or too cold. Don't forget your water, sunglasses, and a camera to capture the beautiful vistas. Caters of the Moon is a certified dark sky park so this summer they're going to offer astronomy experiences as well. I'm really excited to go back and see the Milky Way in all it's full glory.

We slept with the cover of tent,,the stars were so beautiful and bright a lifetime memory..the place is clean and not overcrowded..the loop was amazing, I would definitely recommend this place..lots of bathrooms and water faucet..the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable...

Craters of the Moon is an underrated jewel in the Gem State. It's incredibly desolate- a vast lava field, cinder cones, tons of volcanic ash, it has one of the deepest rifts in the world. As the name shows, it was used by astronauts to study lunar geology. Craters of the Moon is where the Snake River Plain/Yellowstone hot spot meets the Basin&Range- http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/craters-moon It has the vulcanism of the former, and the desolate nature of the latter (that one can see in Nevada) Most of the trails are paved, accessible, just remember to find a way to protect yourself from the sun&the heat. Bring plenty of hydration&sunglasses. Also remember to bring snacks, because you'll want to spend a good deal of the day there. According to park literature, the Great Rift has a 2 millennia cycle, as if it weren't hot enough. It's one of the hottest National Parks...and least crowded. The Inferno Cone&Devil's Garden are heavenly. One could say this place could have a sign saying "Pardon our dust! We're under construction." Craters of the Moon spectacularly shows geological processes, fun and accessible.

Phenomenally beautiful National Monument that is absolutely worth a stop. We spent about 3 hours (plenty) on our way through be he area. There are 3 short hikes (#3,4,5) on the map that are worth doing. Support our national parks and buy the annual pass for $80, it also gets you into Yellowstone.

This is a must see national park site. Really strange and beautiful landscape. Great hiking / snowshoe opportunities. Nice junior ranger program. Friendly rangers. Small but well done visitors center. A little out of the way but definitely worth the trip.

An awesome site to dry camp. No phone or wifi service at camp site but it was nice & quiet except when some rude campers parked one site up & let their very noisy wild bunch of children (5 I think) just run crazy around the camp. Started about 7AM. Other than the semi-rude kids, we liked this place so much we stayed a week. Caves, walking paths, bicycle paths, this place will keep you busy. I would stop here any time I was close. Outstanding visitors center!

There is a self-serve kiosk to pay for your vehicle as you enter the park (cards only, no cash) & you must display the pass on the dash - it's good for 7 days. I really wish I had budged more time to tour all the attractions there. I did spend a lot of time climbing the Inferno Cone and taking lots of video and pictures at the top because the view is absolutely breathtaking. I highly recommend this attraction.

Craters of the moon was such an out of this world experience. You feel like you're on another planet, it's calm, it's cool, it's different. I wish i had the right equipment to explore the caves, unfortunately i was too scared to just use my phone. Haha it's a short little hike around the park but definitely worth it.

On a previous visit to CotM - in an April snowstorm - I hiked the Wilderness Trail, explored the caves, and walked through the Devil's Orchard. And spent a night encased in down and wool and fleece as blizzard-force winds scoured the campground at night. It was intense, which is what one might expect from a semi-ancient lava field in eastern Idaho's high plains country within spitting distance of U.S. nuclear testing facilities east of Arco. Yosemite Valley it ain't. As a Yelp following friend mentioned, it's all very Mordor, to which I assume that Tolkein surely would agree. But visit #2, on a following year in middle of May, was picture perfect: sun, upper 60s, incredibly clear skies made more so by an early afternoon rain, wind gusts that subsided by evening and gave way to moon and stars. It was perfect weather for the more exposed trails - Inferno Cone, the Big Craters trail, and the lovely Brokentop loop, with stellar mountain views of the Lost River Range from the Big Sink overlook. All in all, there is no better national monument in America than this: truly unique landscapes, utterly exposed and isolated location, and fantastic wildflowers in late springtime. It is high elevation, above 6000 feet, so night still means sleeping in down, but I was able to cook oatmeal and brew peppermint tea outside the tent this time, as sunlight started to appear on the eastern ridgelines. Do do the trek to the Big Craters. Do do the Inferno Cone trail. And definitely do do the Brokentop loop. The caves, they can wait until it's snowing, and so too the Devil's Orchard - which you can xcountry ski to in winter. Treat yourself to an epic open space experience this spring - while it lasts! Get yourself and your loved ones to these Craters, before they fade away. (Which means that you have lots of time. They erode slowly. It's a slow kind of place).

I wish I would have had more time at Craters of the Moon. It really feels like you enter another world for a short time. There is a feeling of desolate dark beauty amongst the lava rock, beautiful blue sky, far off mountains, and green plant life that has managed to thrive here. It definitely was hot, but very windy. I am glad I had the sun screen on, and a bottle of water, as the wind was deceiving. The park is well maintained and had some great accessible paved trails, and a good combination of short and long hikes for those with different timelines or physical abilities The park also has a section of lava caves that you can explore, of different heights and depths. We didn't have much time so just explored one of the larger caves and did the short hikes. I so wish I had a tent, as the campground looked delightful. It is definitely a park I want to return to one day and camp at, and really take time to explore the caves and longer trails.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is beautiful in its eeriness. Interesting. Weird. Scenic. Rugged. And in my humble opinion: awesome. I LOVE LOVE LOVE northern Idaho and find it absolutely gorgeous, but I was not so much a fan of southern Idaho after driving through the "potato patch" of the state while heading toward Wyoming. My fiance and I almost skipped our planned stop at Craters of the Moon, but we decided to go anyway just to get off I-84. I am so glad we did! Craters of the Moon is a volcanic terrain where basalt lava deposits are up to 60 miles wide and 10,000 feet deep. Coming from a small New England state, it shocked me a bit at just how large this park is. It is made up of over 1,100 square miles (about the size of Rhode Island) and the lava here can be seen from space. We explored cinder & spatter cones, lava tubes (along the Caves Trail), lava trees (tree molds that are vertical from lava flows!), and saw several different types of lava flows. There are several short but great hikes and from one (Inferno Cone) you can see the Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming. The hike is short (1/2 a mile) but STEEP. It's worth it! There is one longer hike (Wilderness Trail to Echo Crater) that offers some great spots to camp along the way.

What a hidden gem! This is a great place to visit for a few hours or an entire afternoon. Walk amongst fields of lava flows and mounds and observe the unique, strange, beautiful landscape. Lava ripples are frozen into the landscape, dotted with plants. The best part is the lava tube caves. The temperature drops rapidly as you enter from the summer heat. There is even ice in some places. The Dew Drop cave is large, but other caves can get tight in places. Good shoes are a must as it can get slippery. Bring water and sunscreen. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes if you plan to go inside the caves. Check out some of my pictures!

I freaking believable! Highly recommend & a great place to hike. Really windy on our stop today - hiked around at the sites quite a bit but all of the cave locations are closed because of COVID. This would be an excellent camping location. I could easily stay a night or two.

Visited on a Sunday in late September. Crowds were minimal for this type of attraction. I always enjoy the films provided at the Visitors' Center. None were playing, possibly due to the COVID restrictions. (We did access them that evening via their website.) Only did one short hike; my wife's hips are aging, but from what we could see, there are plenty of handicap accessible areas. Very nice campground, but mostly smaller sites. A few might have accommodated our 36' fifth wheel & F350 4x4, but there is a great private park - reviewed separately - that I highly recommend just a short drive away in Arco.

This place is amazing, so many places in the park to check out. Be prepared for lots of walking and make sure you pack a backpack with water, drinks and snacks for the day. There is a small fee for entering the park, but if you have a National Park pass its free. They have campsites there as well, they are first come first serve, no reservations. We will definitely go back to hike more of the park.