Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

4152 reviews

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Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve Introduce

Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is a fascinating geological wonder located in Idaho, USA. Known for its unique volcanic landscapes, this park offers visitors a chance to explore ancient lava flows, spatter cones, and other geological formations that provide a glimpse into the Earth's fiery past. The park is a haven for nature enthusiasts, historians, and families looking for an adventurous outdoor experience.

The park features a visitor center where guests can learn about the area's natural history through interactive exhibits and informative displays. Visitors are encouraged to plan a full day to fully explore the park, which offers several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. The boardwalk trail is particularly popular, allowing visitors to get up close to the volcanic formations without needing extensive hiking gear.

Geological Wonders: Explore unique lava tubes, cinder cones, and other geological features that make this park a must-visit for nature lovers.
Hiking Trails: Enjoy a variety of trails suitable for all fitness levels, with opportunities to see stunning views of the Snake River Plain.
Stargazing: The park's remote location offers excellent stargazing opportunities, making it a perfect spot for astronomy enthusiasts.
Visitor Center: Learn about the area's history and geology through engaging exhibits and educational programs.
Camping & Picnicking: While there are no campgrounds within the park, nearby facilities offer options for RV camping and picnicking.

Customers who have visited Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve often highlight its stunning natural beauty and tranquility. One visitor described their experience during a winter visit as "magical," despite the chilly weather, noting the landscape's unique combination of tranquil and forbidding elements. Another couple shared their enjoyment of the day trip, emphasizing the value of allocating a full day to explore the park thoroughly. They also appreciated the convenience of staying at a nearby KOA in Arco.

Details

Service options
Onsite services

Highlights
Picnics

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Activities
Hiking

Amenities
Picnic tables
Public restroom

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards

Children
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes

Location

Idaho

Customer Reviews

4.0

4152 reviews

dennis fujimagari

Dec 26, 2024

Drove through here at Christmas so the touring roads at the visitor center were gated and closed for the winter season. It was a little too cold to do much hiking as I wasn't really prepared for the chilly windy weather. Nonetheless, I found it to be a very interesting place and the landscapes seemed very tranquil yet forbidding at the same time. Seemed like the snow covering made it a bit magical.

Walter Rothe

Jan 28, 2025

We highly enjoyed our day trip to this stunning area. We started at the visitor center before heading out to the trails. Plan a full day - it's worth the time! We stayed at the KOA in Arco which is about a 20 minutes drive away from the visitor center.

R. Scherer

Oct 09, 2024

This is one truly amazing National Park. The unique and violent way it was formed is mind-blowing. The landscape is out of this world, and I can now understand why it was used as a training area for the astronauts. There are so many geological features in this park that you will have plenty to explore while you're here. There's quite a few markers along the trails explaining how the formations happened and why this place is so special. As always, leave no trace, leave it better than you found it, and enjoy 😉.

Steph West

Aug 25, 2024

A very unique place! I spent all day here cycling and hiking. The road is great for cycling (but challenging!) and there are so many places to stop and walk around. I highly recommend spending 1/2 day to a day here!

Kristin Mazziotta

Sep 05, 2024

WOW!! This place in so surreal. It definitely feels like you are on another planet. The lava rock seems to roll on for miles and miles. We climbed the Inferno Cone and got the 360 degree view from above and highly recommend it if you are able to climb it! The park is massive and we spent nearly 6 hours here, driving through and stopping at the pull offs. The trails are nice and paved for the most part, which is convenient for a stroller. We got the permit for the caves, but two (2) of them were closed during our visit. We drove up from Eastern Nevada, so it was a bit of a drive for us, but totally worth it. We had an amazing time here and highly recommend it!