National park · United States
Craters of the Moon National MonumentCraters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Give it half a day, not a full one: drive the 7-mile Loop Road, climb Inferno Cone, walk Devils Orchard and the North Crater Flow, and be back on US 20 by early afternoon. Go May–June or September for mild air; avoid July–August midday when black cinder pushes ground temperatures past 65°C (149°F).Give it half a day, not a full one: drive the 7-mile Loop Road, climb Inferno Cone, walk Devils Orchard and the North Crater Flow, and be back on US 20 by early afternoon. Go May–June or September for mild air; avoid July–August midday when black cinder pushes ground temperatures past 149°F (65°C).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,907 km² (1,122 sq mi)1,122 sq mi (2,907 km²)
approximate
Established
1924
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 2,907 km² (1,122 sq mi)1,122 sq mi (2,907 km²)
- Monument and Preserve combined, roughly 2,900 km²; the developed Loop Road area is a small fraction of it (check).
- Established
- 1924
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Craters of the Moon protects a 15,000-year-old lava field on Idaho's Snake River Plain: cinder cones, spatter cones, lava tubes and islands of older sagebrush steppe the flows ran around. It is small enough to see from the car and strange enough to be worth the detour between Boise and Idaho Falls. The Apollo 14 crew trained here in 1969 on volcanic geology. Most of the monument is roadless wilderness; the paved Loop Road covers the accessible core.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1924Proclaimed a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge.
- Special national site · 1970Craters of the Moon Wilderness designated by Congress — the first such wilderness area in the National Park Service.
Size and age
2,907 km² (1,122 sq mi)1,122 sq mi (2,907 km²) · national park since 1924
Monument and Preserve combined, roughly 2,900 km²; the developed Loop Road area is a small fraction of it (check).
Why go
- A lava landscape you can walk on in an hour, with almost no walking required.
- Inferno Cone gives a 360° view over the black flows and Big Cinder Butte in a 15-minute climb.
- Lava tube caves you can enter with a free permit and your own light.
- Dark Sky Park status: on a clear night the Milky Way is visible from the campground.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanLoop Road usually closed to cars; snowshoe or ski in from the highway
- FebRoad closed; deep snow at the north end, winter access on foot
- MarRoad may still be closed; check before driving
- AprRoad reopens mid-month in most years; cold wind
- MayMild, wildflowers starting, road open
- JunWarm days, cool mornings; wildflowers peak
- JulHot; start before 10:00Hot; start before 10:00 AM
- AugHottest month; afternoon wind and dust
- SepCooling, clear, quiet
- OctCrisp; snow possible late in the month
- NovRoad closes mid-month in most years
- DecRoad closed to cars; monument open for snowshoeing and skiing
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sage grouse, Brewer's and sage sparrows in the shrublandsApr–Jun | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Spring waterbird migration on temporary pondsMar–May · Ducks, geese, shorebirds and occasionally swans. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Mule deer, coyotes and porcupines at dawn and duskAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers on the cinder slopesMay–Jun · Dwarf buckwheat, monkeyflower and bitterroot. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Rosy-finches and other winter birdsDec–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Arco
US 20/26/93 southwest to the entrance sign, then the Loop Road.
30 min
From Idaho Falls
US 20 west via Arco to the monument entrance.
2 h
From Boise
I-84 east then US 20/26 east through Mountain Home and Carey.
3.5 h
Open the page →
From Twin Falls
US 93 north to Shoshone, then US 20/26 east.
2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Loop Road core | Visitor centre, campground, North Crater Flow, Devils Orchard, Inferno Cone, Spatter Cones, Tree Molds and the caves trailhead. | Paved 7-mile one-way road, open to cars in season and at all hours when open. |
| Craters of the Moon Wilderness | Roadless lava field south of the Loop Road, including Echo Crater and the Wilderness Trail country. | On foot only; free backcountry permit. |
| North end and kipukas | Higher, wetter ground toward the Pioneer Mountains foothills, with islands of older vegetation the flows missed. | Mostly unmarked; no services. |
Sketch map
- 1Robert Limbert Visitor Center · Headquarters≈43.460, -113.560Map ↗
- 2Lava Flow Campground · Sleep≈43.461, -113.559Map ↗
- 3North Crater Flow · Trail≈43.452, -113.556Map ↗
- 4Devils Orchard · Trail≈43.455, -113.550Map ↗
- 5Inferno Cone · Viewpoint≈43.456, -113.552Map ↗
- 6Spatter Cones · Trail≈43.463, -113.550Map ↗
- 7Tree Molds parking · Trail≈43.441, -113.529Map ↗
- 8Caves trailhead · Cave≈43.446, -113.523Map ↗
- 9Arco · Town≈43.637, -113.300Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the Loop Road, for orientation only; use the official park map for navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, private vehicle | US$30 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; valid 7 days. Check current NPS rate. |
| Entrance, motorcycle | US$25 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate; check current NPS rate. |
| Entrance, per person (walk or bike in) | US$15 | person | 2026 estimate; check current NPS rate. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | 2026 estimate; covers this monument and most federal fee sites for a year. |
| Lava Flow Campground | US$15 | site per night | 2026 estimate; no hookups, no showers. |
| Group campground | US$30 | group site per night | 2026 estimate; gated, check in at the visitor centre. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Cave permit permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit permit or guide
Loop Road winter access no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$30
- US$25
- US$15
- US$80
- US$15
- US$30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NPS — Craters of the Moon fees and passes before you go.
Park rules
- Cave permit
- Pick up the free permit at the visitor centre before entering any lava tube; it is how rangers know who is underground.
- Lights and helmets in caves
- Carry at least two independent light sources per person and wear a hard hat and thick-soled shoes.
- Stay on trail
- Do not walk on the cinder off-trail; footprints and damage to the fragile crust last for decades.
- No collecting
- Rocks, plants and artefacts are protected; leave everything where it is.
- Drones
- Launching drones is not allowed in the monument (check).check
- Pets
- Allowed on the Loop Road and in the campground only; not on trails or in caves.
Where to stay
In the park
Lava Flow Campground
51 sites on the Loop Road just past the visitor centre; water and restrooms in season, no hookups or showers.
In the park
Group campground
Gated site behind Sunset Cinder Cone, about 1.2 km (0.7 mi) up a gravel road; check in at the visitor centre.Gated site behind Sunset Cinder Cone, about 0.7 mi (1.2 km) up a gravel road; check in at the visitor centre.
Near the park
Arco
The closest town, about 29 km (18 mi) east, with motels, cafés and a grocery store.The closest town, about 18 mi (29 km) east, with motels, cafés and a grocery store.
Safety
Heat and ground temperature high
Getting lost in the caves medium
Sharp lava medium
Winter road closure low
Afternoon wind low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Devils Orchard and the Spatter Cones paths are paved and wheelchair-accessible.
- The visitor centre, campground and Loop Road viewpoints are reachable by car with short walks.
- Inferno Cone, North Crater and the caves trail are steep, loose or uneven and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the marked trail: cinder crust recovers very slowly and off-trail tracks persist for decades.
- Pack out all rubbish; there is no waste collection away from the visitor centre and campground.
- Do not touch or move lava fragments, tree molds or cave formations.
- Keep noise low at night — the monument is a certified Dark Sky Park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Craters of the Moon National Monument?
In 2026 the entrance fee is about US$20 per private vehicle, US$15 per motorcycle or US$10 per person walking or cycling in, valid for seven days. The America the Beautiful annual pass (about US$80) covers this and most other federal fee sites. Camping is extra, about US$15 a night at Lava Flow Campground.
What are the best hikes in Craters of the Moon National Monument?
For most visitors: the 0.4 km North Crater Flow loop, the 0.8 km Devils Orchard loop, the steep 0.8 km climb up Inferno Cone, the Spatter Cones path and the 3 km Tree Molds Trail. If you want a longer walk, the 5.6 km North Crater trail or the 6.4 km Wilderness Trail to Echo Crater. The 3 km Caves Trail reaches the lava tubes and needs a free permit.
When is the best time to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument?
May, June and September. Days are mild, the Loop Road is open and wildflowers appear in late May and June. July and August are hot — start before 10:00. The Loop Road is normally closed to cars from mid-November to mid-April, though the monument stays open for snowshoeing and skiing.
Do I need a permit for the caves?
Yes, a free one. Stop at the Robert Limbert Visitor Center, fill in the cave permit and then drive to the Caves Trail. Bring your own light — at least two sources per person — plus a helmet and sturdy shoes.
Can I camp at Craters of the Moon?
Yes. Lava Flow Campground has 51 sites on the Loop Road just past the visitor centre, about US$15 a night, with water and restrooms in season but no hookups or showers. A gated group site sits behind Sunset Cinder Cone. Backcountry camping is free with a permit from the visitor centre; there is no water out there.
How long do you need at Craters of the Moon?
Half a day covers the Loop Road, Inferno Cone, Devils Orchard, the North Crater Flow and the Spatter Cones. Add two hours if you want the caves or the Tree Molds and Wilderness trails. It is a 30-minute drive from Arco and about two hours from Idaho Falls.
Is Craters of the Moon worth visiting?
If you are driving US 20 between Boise and Idaho Falls, yes — it is a short, strange stop with almost no walking required. If you are expecting a full national-park day of hiking, it is not that; the roadless wilderness is rough, waterless and unmarked.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNPS — Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
- officialNPS — Craters of the Moon fees and passes
- officialNPS — Craters of the Moon camping
- officialDarkSky International — Craters of the Moon Dark Sky Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Craters of the Moon National Monument, revision 5242027 (CC BY-SA 4.0)