Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve★5.0

How to Get There

From Salt Lake City, UT (263 miles): Get on I-15 N. Follow I-15 N to I-15BL S in Blackfoot. Take exit 93 from I-15 N. Follow US-26 W to Loop Rd in Butte County.

Overview

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a huge lava landscape on the Snake River Plain in central Idaho, along US 20 between Arco and Carey at 5,900 feet. It covers 1,117 square miles, including three major lava fields along the Great Rift of Idaho and about 400 square miles of sagebrush steppe. The monument was established in 1924, and a 2000 proclamation greatly expanded it. The National Park Service portions (410,000 acres) became a preserve in 2002.

Highlights

• Loop road: a seven-mile drive past the main volcanic features
• Cinder cones and lava flows: including Inferno Cone, with views over the field, and the Devils Orchard nature trail
• Caves: lava tubes such as Indian Tunnel, which can be explored with a permit and a flashlight
• Season: the loop road is closed to cars in winter and used for skiing and snowshoeing

Things to Do

Explore Idaho's Vast Volcanic Wonderland

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve protects one of the largest volcanic landscapes in the continental United States. Located in south-central Idaho, the monument features lava fields, cinder cones, volcanic craters, lava tubes, and rugged terrain that resembles a lunar landscape. The area preserves evidence of volcanic eruptions that occurred over the last 15,000 years and offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore an active geologic environment.

Drive the Loop Road Through the Lava Fields

The monument's scenic seven-mile Loop Road provides access to many of its most notable attractions. Visitors can stop at overlooks, trailheads, cinder cones, lava flows, and interpretive exhibits while learning about the region's volcanic history and the powerful forces that shaped the landscape.

Explore Lava Tube Caves

One of the monument's most popular activities is exploring lava tube caves formed by flowing molten rock. Visitors can access caves such as Indian Tunnel, Dewdrop Cave, Boy Scout Cave, and Beauty Cave to experience the underground world created by ancient volcanic activity.

Climb a Cinder Cone

Visitors can hike to the top of Inferno Cone for panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic terrain. The summit offers sweeping vistas of lava fields, volcanic features, mountain ranges, and the monument's vast desert landscape.

Learn About Volcanic Geology and Ecology

Interpretive exhibits and ranger programs explain how lava flows, cinder cones, spatter cones, and lava tubes formed. Visitors also learn how plants and wildlife have adapted to survive in the harsh volcanic environment.

Top Trails

Inferno Cone Trail

Length: Approximately 0.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 150 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

This short but steep hike ascends a volcanic cinder cone and rewards visitors with some of the best panoramic views in the monument. The trail offers a unique perspective of the surrounding lava fields and volcanic features.

North Crater Flow Trail

Length: Approximately 1.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

A popular interpretive trail that crosses lava flows and showcases a variety of volcanic formations, including pressure ridges, lava fragments, and evidence of past eruptions. Educational signs explain the geology along the route.

Devils Orchard Trail

Length: Approximately 0.5 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This accessible trail winds through a landscape of lava fragments and isolated volcanic formations. Interpretive exhibits highlight the unique ecology and geological history of the monument.

Indian Tunnel Trail

Length: Approximately 1.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

One of the monument's most popular hikes, this trail leads to a large lava tube cave with collapsed roof sections that allow sunlight to illuminate portions of the underground passage. Visitors can explore the cave while experiencing one of the monument's most remarkable geologic features.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for nps.gov, visitidaho.org, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.