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Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a spectacular showplace of volcanic features, and home to a wide diversity of plant and animal life.
Described as a "weird and scenic landscape" by the legislation that created the monument in 1924, today the 754,700-acre preserve is co-managed by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
Several foot trails lead from the Loop Drive to lava flows, cinder beds, craters and lava tubes. Trails range from a quarter-mile to more than six miles.
The Park Service offers guided walks and other programs from mid-June through mid-August.
Visitors can bike the monument's Loop Drive or cycle on a segment of the Oregon Trail on park land north of Hwy. 20/26/93. A free permit is required for bike travel north of the highway. Bikes are not allowed on hiking trails or beyond established roads.
The Loop Drive is closed from about Nov. 1 to April 15, but when there is snow, the road is groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Snowmobiling is not permitted.
There is one developed campground near the visitor center with 51 sites.
Eighty percent of the monument is designated wilderness, accessible only on foot. A free permit is needed for overnight trips into the wilderness. Hikers must carry their own water.
Food and lodging are available in the town of Arco, 18 miles from the visitor center.
Outdoor Activities |
