National Monument · NPS / BLM · ID
Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve
Photo: NPS / David Hunter, A Sea of Lava
Alerts and conditions
Park Closure Park Bookstore Update
The park bookstore is currently transitioning to a new partner. The park is working to identify and establish a new bookstore provider, and additional information will be shared as it becomes available. Due to this transition, a bookstore with items for purchase will not be in service until a new partner is established. Thank you for your patience during this transition.
Caution Navigation
Please do not rely upon GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Craters of the Moon. Please note that the Robert Limbert Visitor Center at 1266 Craters Loop Road is located just off U.S. Highway 20/26/93 and is not accessed via any unpaved roads.
Overview
Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow.
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
Activities
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Caving
- Hiking
- Backcountry Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Plan your visit
Hours
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve: The Loop Road is typically open from mid April through late November as conditions allow.
Fees and passes
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — $20.00
- Entrance - Motorcycle — $15.00
- Commercial Entrance - Sedan — $25.00
- Entrance - Per Person — $10.00
- Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
- Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $100.00
- Commercial Entrance - Van — $40.00
- Annual Entrance - Park — $35.00
The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.
Getting there
Visitor Center and Loop Drive are located 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles northeast of Carey, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls. Physical address is 1266 Craters Loop Road(Lat/Long: 43° 27.711'N/113° 33.7) Access to the main visitor use area is via a paved highway. Unpaved roads provide additional access to the BLM monument and NPS Preserve but should only be utilized by four wheel drive and high clearance vehicles.
Visitor centers
Campgrounds
- Lava Flow Campground (42 sites)
Weather
Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. Intense summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 170°F and air temperatures in the 90s. Drying winds are a daily occurrence, especially in the afternoon, and may reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.
Phone: 2085271300
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 39 miles
- Minidoka National Historic Site NPS · 53 miles
- Sawtooth National Forest USFS · 71 miles
- Curlew National Grassland USFS · 75 miles
- City Of Rocks National Reserve NPS · 79 miles
- Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument NPS · 79 miles