Wander through the Craters of the Moon in Idaho
With a name like Carltonaut, it’s a given that when I’m traveling through Idaho, I need to explore Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. The area did not disappoint, with lots of hiking trails that work for just about any age group. The popular trails are through the lava tube caves, but during my most recent visit in May, they were closed because of the lingering snow and ice inside.
Make plans to visit and explore Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. Here’s a rundown of the trails, Junior Ranger program and the campground.
Tickets and Directions to Craters of the Moon National Monument
Like any national park or national monument, the best way to get a ticket to explore it is to purchase an annual National Parks Pass. The America the Beautiful pass is $80 and will get you into any national park, national monument or national recreation area for a full year. Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is no different. You can purchase one online or at the entrance booth when you arrive.
Without the annual national parks pass, it’s $20 per vehicle, $15 for motorcycles and $10 for walk-ins.
Access to the park along the loop road is generally available mid-April through November, but is weather dependent. During the winter months (December-March and as snow allows), there are cross-country ski paths you can follow. You can also rent snowshoes from the visitor center when it’s open and venture out into the park. But note that it’s rather chilly in the winter, so plan and prepare accordingly.
Craters of the Moon National Monument is almost in the middle of nowhere in central Idaho. You can access it from Blackfoot, Idaho, to the east or Twin Falls to the southwest – depending on which direction you’re heading. The entrance is located along Highway 26, roughly 20 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho.
WHERE TO STAY: If you want a place to stay overnight, that’s not too far from the entrance, the Craters of the Moon/Arco KOA Journey is a great option. We spent one night there and the kids loved the swimming pool.
What to Pack for Your Visit
Whether you’re planning to spend a few hours exploring the park, or staying at the campground for a few days, there are some essentials you’ll want to ensure you bring with you.
- Good hiking shoes. Some of the hiking trails are paved, but others are not. The terrain can be steep and have loose gravel or rocks of varying sizes.
- Water. Any time you plan to explore the outdoors, you need to bring plenty of water with you. During the summer months, it can get hot, and the heat radiating off the black lava rocks can be felt. Stay hydrated.
- Hat and sunscreen. There’s very little, if any, shade at Craters of the Moon National Monument. I recommend bringing a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen so you can protect yourself and your kids from the UV rays of the sun.
- Flashlight or headlamp. If you plan to venture into any of the caves or tunnels, make sure you have the proper lighting.
- Layered clothing (jacket or sweatshirt). While it may get hot during the day, the morning and evening can be a little chilly. If you walk inside one of the lava caves, the temperature may drop as well. Having a sweatshirt or jacket may help keep complaining to a minimum.
- Picnic lunch. Some of the trailheads have some picnic tables that are perfect for lunchtime. Bust out the bread and bags of chips and enjoy a lunch on the moon. 😉
- Camera. There are some pretty unique and amazing sights at Craters of the Moon National Monument. Your camera phone will do a nice job, but I recommend brining something a little more powerful, too. I carried my Canon 6D with me to capture some of the shots.
The Visitor Center and Junior Ranger Program
When you first pull of Highway 26 to Craters of the Moon National Monument, you’ll want to stop at the Visitor Center. It’s here where you can fill up any water bottles, make a bathroom break and check in with the rangers on any trail information for the hikes you have planned.
Inside the Visitor Center, they have a small display where you can learn about the different types of rocks and volcanoes that created the landscapes you’re about to explore. You can also read about some of the different animals that call this area home.
Don’t miss the short video in the back viewing area to learn more about Craters of the Moon. You can even look at a large map of the western United States to see how the volcano and underground hot spots have moved over the centuries, including the hot spots that flare up at Yellowstone National Park.
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If you’ve got young kids with you, ask the rangers at the front desk for the Junior Ranger booklet. During your visit, work with your kids to complete some of the activities. On your way out (hopefully it’s before the Visitor Center closes) you can stop back in, present the completed booklet to the ranger and have your child sworn in as Junior Ranger. That program was a highlight for my kids, and even my nieces and nephews on my most recent visit.
Best Hiking Trails at Craters of the Moon
Craters of the Moon National Monument is one of the most family-friendly parks out there. Scattered throughout the park, and just off the main loop road, are several short trails. Some are paved walkways, while others are your typical dirt and rock trails.
Here’s a summary of some of the best trails to explore at Craters of the Moon National Monument.
- Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail – 0.5 miles roundtrip. Read about varying formations and plant-life along this paved (accessible) trail. There are also picnic tables near the trailhead.
- Inferno Cone – 0.4 miles roundtrip (steep). One of the more iconic hikes in the area, you’ll walk up a steep slope to reach the top of a barren mound for a great view of the surrounding area (see photo above).
- Spatter Cones – 100 yards. A short walk up a paved trail to look inside two different volcanic rock cones.
- Broken Top Loop – 1.8 miles roundtrip. A great hike to venture away from the parking areas and explore the landscape of Craters of the Moon.
- North Crater Flow Trail – 0.3 miles roundtrip. A short hike for people of all ages, allowing you to see some of the youngest lava flows in the area.
- North Crater Trail – 3.5 miles roundtrip. Venture south from the North Crater Flow Trail to the Spatter Cones and back for a little more exploration.
- Tree Molds Trail – 2 miles roundtrip. Check out the imprint of lava-charred trees along this trail at the south end of the park.
- Cave Area – 1.6 miles roundtrip. There are two different caves along this path that you can explore without the need for a permit: Dewdrop Cave and Indian Tunnel. Beauty Cave, Buffalo Cave and Boy Scout Cave require you to have a free permit, which you pick up at the visitor center.
Grab a Campsite at Craters of the Moon
Craters of the Moon National Monument does have a campground onsite, but there are no advanced registrations available. If you want to spend a couple of nights there, all campsites are first come, first serve. Here’s what you need to know if you want to claim a site.
The Lava Flow Campground consists of 42 individual sites, but there are no hook-ups available. All of the sites can accommodate a tent, but there are some that can fit a large RV. The campground is accessible May through November – if the loop road is open, the campground will be open as well.
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The campground features flush toilets (seasonal), vault toilets (year round), and potable water (seasonal). No campfires are allowed – only charcoal fires on grills. Each site does have a grill and picnic table.
NOTE: Walk-in snow camping in the winter months is available, but you need a free permit from the visitor center.
If you decide to camp at the Lava Flow Campground, note that there is very little shade. During the day, the temperatures can be hot, but once the sun sets, the temperature can fall quickly. So be sure you have clothes and accommodates for the range in temperatures.
To claim your campsite, find one that’s unclaimed and place something there to claim it. Then visit the automated fee machine to make your payment. Cost is $15 per night during the regular season. No cash or checks – only credit cards are accepted. All campsites are limited to eight people, two vehicles and two tents.
The Details
Address: Located roughly 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93
Cost: $20 for a private vehicle; $15 for a motorcycle; $10 per person if cycling/walking in. Purchase an annual national parks pass for $80 and explore multiple national parks for 365 days.
How Long: Plan on at least four hours to hike some of the shorter trails. Plan a full day if you want to explore the longer trails in the park.
Hours: The park is open 24 hours a day from April through November. Between November and April, the loop road is closed due to winter conditions.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm
Phone: (208) 527-1300
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