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Major city · United States

Arco

Spend a half‑day visiting the nuclear sites and Number Hill; stay one night at Lost River Motel if you want a relaxed evening.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Arco is a small Central Idaho town famous for being the first fully nuclear‑powered city and for nearby nuclear‑science attractions. A quick visit covers the key sights; an overnight lets you explore the surrounding desert landscape.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Sep (check)
avoid Winter snow can close roads (check)
Airport
BOI
Nights
1

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Arco: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
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.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Arco911 ▾
  • Police / Fire / Ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Arco, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

First city lit by nuclear powerExperimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR‑1)Number HillUSS Hawkbill display
Airports
BOI Boise Airport (About 80 km (50 mi) (1 h 15 min) north via US‑20)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    2°C (36°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    5°C (41°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    24°C (75°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    34°C (93°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    3°C (37°F)

Best: Jun–Sep. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Arco: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

2°C (36°F)

−9°C (16°F)

8 rd

Feb

5°C (41°F)

−7°C (19°F)

6 rd

Mar

11°C (52°F)

−2°C (28°F)

5 rd

Apr

18°C (64°F)

3°C (37°F)

4 rd

May

24°C (75°F)

8°C (46°F)

3 rd

Jun

30°C (86°F)

13°C (55°F)

2 rd

Jul

34°C (93°F)

16°C (61°F)

2 rd

Aug

33°C (91°F)

15°C (59°F)

3 rd

Sep

28°C (82°F)

10°C (50°F)

4 rd

Oct

20°C (68°F)

3°C (37°F)

6 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

−3°C (27°F)

7 rd

Dec

3°C (37°F)

−7°C (19°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Car is essential; US‑20 runs through town and connects to Craters of the Moon and Idaho National Laboratory. No public transit.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Craters of the Moon National Monument

go

Door to door: ≈45 min round trip

Drive west on US‑20, 18 mi (≈30 min)

Lava fields and hiking; visitor center open May–Oct.

Idaho National Laboratory (guided tour)

caution

Door to door: ≈1 h including travel

Drive southeast on US‑20, 20 mi (≈35 min)

Tours must be booked in advance; limited dates.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Lost River Motel

Rooms; basic amenities; near downtown

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$40–60 excl. bed
Mid
$60–100 excl. bed
High
$100+ excl. bed

Watch out

Safety

Arco is low‑crime; main risks are remote‑area wildlife and winter road closures.
  • Limited dining and fuel options; fill up before heading out.
  • EBR‑1 tours are seasonal (Memorial Day to Labor Day).
  • Check road conditions in winter; snow can close US‑20.

Emergency numbers

Police / Fire / Ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

ArcoArco

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police / Fire / Ambulance911

Embassy

US citizens can contact the nearest US consulate in Boise (check address).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Boise → Arco (rental car, 1 day): ≈ US$45–60, 80 km (50 mi) round trip (check)
  • Arco → Craters of the Moon (fuel): ≈ US$5–8 for 30 km (19 mi) one‑way (check)

Say or show

  • Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (sor‑ree)
  • Thank you — Thank you (thank‑you)
  • How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it)
  • Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (where is the restroom)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arco. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep (check) · avoid Winter snow can close roads (check) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 2 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Add a rental‑car option from Boise for flexible day‑trips.
  2. Create a walking loop linking downtown, Number Hill, and USS Hawkbill park.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Arco

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