Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is in Idaho’s front range desert. Roughly 3.5 hours southeast of Boise and only 5.5 to 6 hours west of Big Sky, Montana. Scientists and astronauts, study what the surface of the moon is like at Craters. In fact, many of the earliest American Astronauts learned geology within the park.
There are many different types of volcanoes in this park. This Monument includes more than 25 cone volcanoes. There are a few examples of the rare Spatter Cone Volcano as well. If Hiking is your thing, then Craters of the Moon is an exciting stop. Several hikes that pass through different lava fields. It’s also possible to hike along a few volcano rims with the ability to dip inside a crater or two.
Visit lava flows and fields within the borders of the Preserve. This includes one spot with a few-thousand-year-old lava sink, held together by a large rim of rocks. The massive rim stayed connected while the lava cooled, creating the sink as it is today.
There are a handful of caves where visitors can go spelunking. Yet, all visitors need a permit to explore. Craters National Monument is open 24 hours a day year-round. The roads, trails, and facilities are seasonal and close during winter months due to snow.
Be sure to check out NPS.gov for the most up to date closure information. Because of this, the caves had already closed for the season. There was no way to get a permit, but at least my entrance was free.
Craters of the Moon National Monument is a wilderness park. Only the loop road closes during winter months. The park offers excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The closest town is 18 miles in one direction. So, make sure to bring a lunch and plenty of supplies if making the overnight journey.
The park is within an “International Dark Sky Community.” Its remote nature is why it has little light pollution. It’s one of the best views of a night sky in the United States! These communities provide a pristine view of the night sky and are all over the world. Most of the US’s International Dark Sky Communities are between California and Nebraska.
Craters of the Moon is super remote. Deep in the front range of Idaho, it’s not an easy place to get to. There are no busses or public transportation servicing the park. The easiest way to visit is with a rental car and Google Maps. Uber is possible, but expensive.
The closest town is Arco, Idaho. It’s remote and has limited services, but there are hotels and restaurants available. Find affordable accommodations with Booking.com. It is possible to find a place to stay with Hostelworld. Yet, they’re three hours away, in Boise. With proper planning, a day trip from Idaho’s capital city is possible.
This National Monument was an unexpected gem. Most of the people that I speak with about National Parks and Monuments have not heard of Craters of the Moon. It is an often-overlooked corner of the country. It’s an absolute must see National Monument for any volcano and outdoor lover. If making a trip to Idaho, then don’t miss out on Craters of the Moon National Monument.
