Did you know there is a huge lava field called Craters of the Moon in Idaho? Yes, really! I was surprised, too.
Craters of the Moon National Monument features hiking trails over lava flow areas, into a mini volcano, up and over a giant cinder cone, and inside of cave-like lava tubes. It is a really unique family-friendly adventure and would be a great day trip from Yellowstone National Park.
While researching in advance of our family’s big road trip out to Yellowstone National Park, I happened to notice Craters of the Moon National Monument on a map. I was immediately intrigued and did a quick Google search. Lo and behold, this place sounded awesome! Plus, it was only a three-hour drive from Yellowstone’s West Entrance.
I knew that we had to build space into our itinerary for this unique destination. I’m so glad we were able to squeeze it in to our vacation plan because it was truly one of the most memorable experiences from our trip. (And, that is saying a lot because this was an amazing trip filled with memorable experiences!)
Craters of the Moon Idaho Adventures
Located near Idaho Falls and Blackfoot in Idaho, Craters of the Moon National Monument is only a three hour drive from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. It was named for its terrain which looks a lot like the moon’s surface.
FUN FACT: Several Apollo Astronauts (including Alan Shepard) came to Craters of the Moon National Monument in 1969 to learn about volcanic geology in preparation for their moon missions.
Craters of the Moon National Monument is an interesting geological area filled with unique family-friendly adventures.
- Visitor Center – Stop in here to learn about the history, geology and wildlife of the area. Also, this is where you can make special inquiries about kid programs and cave permits.
- Loop Drive – All of the hiking trails and attractions can be accessed off from this scenic 7-mile loop drive.
- North Crater Flow – Hike over a lava flow area.
- Devil’s Orchard – This may be the eeriest hike you ever take. Enjoy the bizarre nature sights while learning about conservation.
- Inferno Cone – Hike to the top of a giant cinder cone for amazing views (and great exercize).
- Spatter Cones – Go inside a mini-volcano (spatter cone).
- Tree Molds, Broken Top, and Wilderness – See lava trees, a large cinder cone and the area’s distinctive wilderness.
- Lava Tube Caves – Explore inside cave-like lava tubes!
Here’s more details about our family’s adventures there.
Craters of the Moon Visitor Center
Our first stop was at the visitor center. Not only was it an important stop (for the helpful materials available there) but it was also an interesting stop.
At the Visitor Center, we picked up a map, some brochures and our cave permit. (IMPORTANT NOTE: A cave permit is required for anyone entering the lava tubes.) Additionally, our children inquired about Junior Ranger Program Workbooks there. Our children were especially excited to learn that Craters of the Moon was offering a special Lunar Ranger program along with its normal Junior Ranger program at the time of our visit.
RELATED: Hiking in the Craters of the Moon Lava Tubes
Our family found the visitor center super interesting. It has exhibits about the wildlife and flora in the area and about how this nearly barren landscape came to be – a fascinating history of massive quantities of lava pouring from the Great Rift (a series of fissures across the area).
FUN FACT: The most recent eruption in the area now known as Craters of the Moon National Monument was only 2,000 years ago.
My wildlife-loving daughter loved learning about the wildlife that can be found in the area – mainly pikas, bats, rabbits, sage grouse and mule deer. My deep-thinking ten-year-old was fascinated with an interactive exhibit and video explaining how North American plate movements has moved the “hot spot” from the Craters of the Moon area to its current station underneath Yellowstone National Park. You can download this National Park Service Bulletin (PDF Document) to learn more about the Yellowstone Hot Spot.)
Additionally, the visitor center features a small gift shop and bookstore. Here, you can purchase the usual postcards and such but it also offers a lot of interesting books on topics ranging from national parks and volcanoes to space travel and astronomy. Fascinating!
Craters of the Moon Loop Road
After thoroughly exploring the visitor center, we made our way past the entrance gate and to the seven-mile scenic loop drive. It’s a lovely drive that features several scenic overlooks as well as access to all of the Craters of the Moon attractions. We took our time driving it so that we could fully take in the unique scenery around us.
RELATED: Craters of the Moon Loop Road Map – National Park Service
North Crater Flow
Our first stop was to hike the short and easy North Crater Flow Trail. Located right on the main road, this quarter-mile paved trail is a short loop through a lava flow area.
RELATED: How to Actually Enjoy Hiking With Children
The North Crater Flow Trail features monoliths, crater fragments and helpful informative signs. It’s a great introduction to the lava fields at Craters of the Moon.
Avid hikers can also pick up the North Crater Trail from here. The North Crater Trail is nearly 2 miles long. We chose to skip this particular trail as we planned to hike several other trails as the day progressed and we didn’t want to overdo it.
Devil’s Orchard
Our next stop was Devil’s Orchard. It is located down a short spur road off from the main road.
There is a short half-mile loop trail that takes you through the Devil’s Orchard. The eerie terrain in this area features a scattering of misshapen trees. Many of the tree branches appear distorted due to a parasitic plant in the area called dwarf mistletoe. Dwarf Mistletoe causes the branches to grow quickly and excessively causing a “witch’s broom” effect. It’s interesting to see.
FUN FACT: The area was named Devil’s Orchard after a traveling minister viewed the near-barren land and the misshapen trees and declared the area to be a “garden fit for the devil.”
It was also fun to look for colorful lichen along this trail. We found yellow, orange and green lichen on this little adventure. One of the signs mentioned that lichen travels through the air. My allergies were really acting up that day, and I wondered if that was related to these airborn plant-like organisms.
This trail also features many informational signs about conservation – how people can protect natural areas like this one and why these areas should be protected.
RELATED: America’s Most Devilish Hikes
Cinder Garden
As we continued our drive along Loop Road, we came across a Cinder Garden. There is no trail here to walk on. Instead, visitors should just admire the view from the road.
It was really quite spectacular to see polk-a-dots of color dispersed along this dark field of cinder. Some of the flowering plants found in such cinder gardens can include monkeyflowers, wild onions, and dwarf buckwheat.
We viewed the cinder garden from such a distance that I had assumed most of it was spots of more colorful lichen. Looking back, I wish we had pulled out the binoculars to get a more close-up view of this vegetation.
Inferno Cone
Further down Loop Road past the cinder garden is Inferno Cone. This is a short-but-steep hike up a cinder cone. It is, also, an excellent workout!
FUN FACT: Cinder cones are formed when gas-charged lava is blown violently into the air and breaks into small fragments that fall as cinders around the vent in a circular cone shape. (Source)
We re-energized with a quick snack and took long drinks from our water bottles. Then, we started our hike upwards. The trail is only .2 miles in length but it felt like one of the longest hikes ever.
As we approached a cairn of rocks, I was so happy because I thought that cairn must mark the top of the steep incline. But no. It appears that lovely stack of rocks was merely marking the half-way point.
Our legs were burning by the time we reached the actual top of the cinder cone. However, the panoramic views up there were amazing. It was worth the steep climb up!
You can see for miles from the top of Inferno Cone! Take the time to fully enjoy the views of lava fields, other cinder cones, and miles of skyline. Surprisingly, there is one tree growing atop this massive cinder cone and a small patch of vegetation.
Spatter Cones
Just a little further along the Craters of the Moon Loop Road, you will find spatter cones (also sometimes referred to as mini volcanoes). The spatter cones here were formed when giant gobs of molten lava was thrown into the air during an eruption over 2000 years ago.
Be sure to wander along the short paved trail leading up and in to one of the spatter cones. Not only is it interesting to see, but it is also really fun to tell other people that you went inside of a mini volcano. (My children love telling people that!)
Tree Molds
A short spur road off from Loop Road leads you to the Tree Molds area. This sounds like it would be another awesome (and unique) adventures. The park brochure describes the trail like this: “View the imprint of lava-charred trees along this 1-mile Tree Molds Trail.” Doesn’t that sound interesting?
Ultimately, our family chose to skip this particular adventure. It was a very hot day, and we had already done a lot of hiking at this point. Plus, we wanted to conserve our energy for the next adventure – hiking lava tubes!
If you have the time and energy, I definitely think this area of Craters of the Moon National Monument would be worth visiting. There is a mile-long trail leading you to the charred tree molds, there is also an additional 1.8-mile Broken Top Trail that leads you around a large cinder cone, and the opportunity to hike two miles along a third trail called Wilderness Trail in order to see lava trees (molds of upright trees).
Lava Tube Caves
Our last and most exciting adventure in Craters of the Moon National Monument was a visit to its cave area. This area can be found along Loop Road, and it features a .8-mile paved trail through an expansive lava field to four different cave-like lava tubes. If you have obtained a cave permit from the visitor center, you can actually enter these caves.
If going inside the caves, we recommend that you wear sturdy closed-toe footwear and bring flashlights.
RELATED: Exploring Lava Tube Caves in Idaho
Climbing down into the caves can be difficult, and two of the caves felt too perilous for our little family of overly-cautious explorers. Thus, we chose to only explore the two caves that were most family-friendly – Indian Cave and Beauty Cave. It was exciting to wander Indian Cave and see the piles of lava rubble where the lava tube ceiling had collapsed in places. Beauty Cave was incredibly dark, and we enjoyed seeing how its bare walls sparkled when we shined our flashlights around in there.
We share all of our tips (including how to obtain your free cave permit) for exploring these lava tubes in our related post – Hiking the Lava Tubes at Craters of the Moon.
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Before You Visit Craters of the Moon National Monument
Here are a few things to know before your visit to Craters of the Moon National Monument:
Allergy sufferers beware! My children and myself were all a stuffed up, sniffling mess by the end of the day. I suspect there are a lot of environmental allergens (pollen, mold, lichen, etc) floating around in the open air of these massive lava fields. You may want to have some allergy medication on hand.
Don’t bug out over the bees! We saw a lot of bees at a couple points during our hikes. (Craters of the Moon is the only known place to be home to a specific type of yellow-faced bees called Hylaeus lunicraterius.) The good news is that these bees did not appear to be aggressive at all. Additionally, they seemed to have no interest in us…even as we walked directly through groups of them. If you see these little buggers, remain calm and carry on and they will leave you alone.
Stay cool. It will be hot, hot, HOT. There is no shade, and the sun beats down on you as you hike along the lava fields. Bring water and sun protection (including sunscreen, hat and sunglasses).
Protect those toesies! Closed toe shoes are a must at Craters of the Moon National Monument. It will protect your feet from the jagged pointy lava rocks. Additionally, closed-toes footwear is a requirement for anyone entering any caves at this national park site.
Get the cave permit. Cave permits are required for anyone exploring the cave-like lava tubes at Craters of the Moon. Cave permits are free and can be obtained at the Visitor Center.
READ MORE: Getting Your Cave Permit at Craters of the Moon
Light it up! Don’t forget to bring flashlights for everyone in your hiking party. The caves are quite dark. You will want flashlights or head lamps
Bring your wheels. We were pleased to find that many of the hiking trails at Craters of the Moon are paved making them wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Camping at Craters of the Moon
Those interested in camping at Craters of the Moon National Monument can obtain campsites in their Lava Flow Campground between the months of May and November (if the weather is cooperative). All sites are available on a first come, first served basis. There is a small cost and limited resources.
HELPFUL CAMPSITE INFORMATION: Camping at the Lava Flow Campground
Hikers are also able to Backcountry Camp in Echo Crater at Craters of the Moon National Monument. If interested, you will need to obtain your free backcountry permit from the Visitor Center.
Other Nearby Stops
While you are in the area, you may also want to visit these other interesting nearby places:
Idaho Potato Museum – This is a super fun and super interesting stop in the nearby city of Blackfoot. This small museum dedicated to one of the world’s most important food crops is filled with interesting facts, fun games and unique displays. Additionally, it is home to the World’s Largest Baked Potato and the World Largest Potato Chip!
World’s First Nuclear Power Plant – At Idaho National Laboratory, you can tour the World’s First Nuclear Power. This National Historic Landmark is open daily from 9 until 5 during the summer months, and tours are free.
Number Hill – Watch for this roadside attraction in Arco, Idaho. For decades, graduating high school seniors have been painting the numbers of their graduating year on the side of a nearby mountain. You can easily spot the graffiti from the road as you drive by.
City of Arco – I love small towns with an interesting history! And, as the first city powered by nuclear energy, Arco definitely has an interesting history. Pay a visit Bottolfsen Park to learn a little more about the city’s history with atomic energy.
Ghost Town – Nearby Atomic City is essentially a ghost town now. The town greatly declined after an incident at a nearby nuclear reactor in 1961. Today, you can drive along a dirt road through this small ghost town.
GHOST TOWN PICTURES: The Afterlife of Atomic City – Fast Company
Ready to Explore Craters of the Moon National Monument?
Just a couple hours away from Yellowstone National Park, Craters of the Moon makes an excellent side trip.
- What do you think? Are you intrigued by Craters of the Moon National Monument?
- Do you want to visit its lava fields and explore its cave-like lava tubes?
- What interests you most about this unique National Parks Site in Idaho?
For more information, be sure to check out this other article: Hiking the Lava Tubes at Craters of the Moon
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- Discover Oregon Trail History at Independence Rock
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- Find Hidden Falls in Grand Teton National Park
- Discover West Michigan’s Wildflower Super Bloom
- How to Enjoy Hiking With Children
This looks like such a cool place! I will definitely keep it in mind when we make a trip to Yellowstone. So unusual!