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A close-up shot of a folded, waving sea of lava rock, with mountains in the far distance. Photo: NPS / David Hunter

Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

National Monument & Preserve · Idaho

Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush.

Plan your visit Directions
  • LocationArco, ID
  • Entrance $20 private vehicle
  • HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
  • Weather now37°F Fog
  • Alerts 2 active alerts

We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow.

Topics
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Caves, Caverns and Karst
  • Climate Change
  • Fire
  • Forests and Woodlands
  • Geology
  • Migrations
8 more topics
  • Native American Heritage
  • Night Sky
  • Rock Landscapes and Features
  • Trails
  • Unique Species
  • Volcanoes
  • Westward Expansion
  • Wilderness
Small purple flowers and larger white flowers with reddish stems grow out of black volcanic rock
Spectacular floral displays occur at Craters each spring, including this dwarf monkeyflower and bitterroot. — NPS / David Hunter

Alerts (2)

Park ClosurePark Bookstore Update The park bookstore is currently transitioning to a new partner. The park is working to identify and establish a new book… Read more

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.

CautionNavigation Please do not rely upon GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Craters of the Moon. Please note that the Rob… Read more

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.

More on NPS.gov

Things to Do

11 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.

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All 22 activities in the park

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Camping

1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.

  • Back-in Campsites

    Lava Flow Campground

    Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground

    The Lava Flow Campground is a 42-site campground accessible by automobile from May through November depending on snow conditions. All sites are available on a…

    Craters of the Moon National Monument, Arco, ID (208) 527-1335 Directions

    Details
    The Lava Flow Campground is a 42-site campground accessible by automobile from May through November depending on snow conditions. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some sites will accommodate large RVs, but no hookups are available.

Facilities & Services

Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Other Visitor Services

  • Robert Limbert Visitor Center

    Robert Limbert Visitor Center

    Facility

    When open, stop by the visitor center for maps and the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association bookstore, and of course: your passport stamp!

    Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Arco, ID (208) 527-1335 Directions

    Details
    When open, stop by the visitor center for maps and the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association bookstore, and of course: your passport stamp!

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Open 24 hours, daily · Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

Hours details
  • Craters of the Moon National Monument and PreserveOpen 24 hours, daily

    The Loop Road is typically open from mid April through late November as conditions allow.

Entrance fees

  • $20Private Vehicle
  • $15Motorcycle
  • $10Per Person
All 7 fees & details
  • Private Vehicle$20

    This per-vehicle fee applies to private, non-commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. The fee covers the driver and any passengers.

  • Motorcycle$15

    Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25

    This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

  • Per Person$10

    This per-person fee provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. Youth age 15 and under are free.

  • Education/Academic GroupsFree

    Classes or groups from accredited academic institutions may apply for a fee waiver ahead of their visit by contacting the park. Academic fee waivers are not granted automatically. Educational groups must apply and meet the two criteria to receive a fee waiver: 1) eligibility and 2) educational purpose and relevance of park resources or facilities. Groups that choose to not make a reservation or apply for an academic fee waiver will be charged the standard entrance fee per vehicle.

  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100

    This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

  • Commercial Entrance - Van$40

    This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

Passes

  • $35Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
  • Annual Entrance - Park

    Annual entrance pass for Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve only. Valid for one year through the month of purchase. This pass can be purchased at the park entrance station.

Address

Craters of the Moon National Monument, 1266 Craters Loop Road
Arco, ID 83213

Get directions Map & directions info

Contact the park

Weather & conditions

37°F
Fog · feels like 33°
  • Today 43° 35°
    Heavy snow
    94% rain
  • Tomorrow 52° 32°
    Sunny
    9% rain
  • Wednesday 55° 32°
    Sunny
    3% rain

Updated 5 hr ago

What to expect by season

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.

Photos

  • The Craters entrance sign sits below a starry night sky, with the milky way brightly-lit.
    Craters of the Moon was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2017, making it one of the best places in the country to stargaze. — NPS / Jacob W. Frank
  • A figure stands inside a large lava tube on a pile of rubble, lit by a round opening overhead.
  • A paved trail winds up around the side of a spatter cone.
  • A panoramic view across the Craters landscape, bisected by a winding road.

Getting There

Craters of the Moon National Monument, 1266 Craters Loop Road
Arco, ID 83213

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.

Full directions

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.

Get directions NPS directions Official NPS site

Mailing address: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Arco, ID 83213

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