The 10 Best Craters of the Moon Hikes and Things to See: Everything you Need to Know to Visit

Is Craters of the Moon National Monument on your list of places to visit? Or perhaps you are driving by this summer and trying to decide whether to stop.

Craters of the moon is an otherworldly experience (sorry couldn’t help myself) and it is definitely worth the visit, although I might not make it the entire destination of my road trip.

The best way to enjoy this National Monument is to check out the best Craters of the Moon hikes and landmarks. (including the Craters of the Moon caves and lava tubes).

In this article will give you general information on visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument and specific information to help you plan your trip and choose the best hike. I’ve visited Craters of the Moon several times and have first hand knowledge of the hikes in the National Monument.

Quick Overview of the Best Craters of the Moon Hikes and Things to Do

Wander through this amazing landscape of lava tubes, craters, cinder cones, and sagebrush. Here is a list of the best things to do or scroll down for more details.

What you Need to Know about Visiting Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon National Monument is a located in central Idaho and was originally formed 15,000-2,000 years ago when lava erupted from the Great Rift. This rift, made up of a series of deep cracks, begins near the Craters of the Moon Visitor Center and stretches 52 miles to the southeast.

The lava that erupted formed incredible features including caves, lava tubes, and craters.

How Long do you Need in Craters of the Moon?

If you are driving by, you can see the highlights in 1 day or even a half-day if you are really pressed for time. Otherwise, give yourself 2 days to do some of the longer hikes and activities.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Craters of the Moon?

The best time to visit is May-Sept. If you want to be there when the wildflowers bloom, shoot for late-May to mid-June. Unlike many National Parks, Craters of the Moon gets fewer visitors so crowds aren’t something to be too worried about. It’s always a good idea to check the NPS website to see whether the loop road and other sites are open.

If you are interested in visiting Craters of the Moon in the winter, there are some fabulous opportunities to nordic ski or snowshoe and see the lava features under a layer of snow.

Craters of the Moon National Monument is Remote

It’s important to note that Craters of the Moon is not located near a big town or city and there are limited facilities nearby. You can find a few campgrounds, motels and basic dining facilities nearby. We visited most recently during our month-long road trip and spent a few hours inside the National Monument.

Map of Things to do in Craters of the Moon National Monument

Details of Best Hikes and Things to Do in Craters of the Moon

Below you can find a list of the best the best things to do in Craters of the Moon.

Visit the Robert Limbert Visitor Center

Located right as you enter Craters of the Moon, the visitor center is a great place to start your visit. This space is full of interesting and useful information and you can also get a map. If you are getting a permit for visiting one of the caves, you can also get that here as well.

You will find information on the animals and plants in Craters of the Moon and also the fascinating geologic history. You will get a sense of the geologic forces that created the most impressive features this place.

Walk the North Crater Flow Trail

This very short 0.3-mile trail is a great way to start exploring Craters of the Moon National Monument. Most of the trail is on a boardwalk making the walking easy and there are informative signs to help orient you to the park.

On the trail, you will see some interesting lava flows and formations.

Drive the Loop Rd.

The loop road is a 7-mile road that goes right around the Craters of the Moon. The road gives you access to all the main sites. If you only have a short time to visit, I would recommend driving this loop and stopping at the most interesting sites (Inferno Cone, Spatter Cones, and one of the lava tube areas). Definitely stop at a few places and take the short Craters of the Moon hikes to see the sites on foot.

The trail is one-way, so if you miss a site, you will need to drive the whole loop a second time.

Hike to the top of Inferno Cone

One of the first interesting places to stop is Inferno Cone. This is a jet black cone that you can climb up via a short and steep trail. From the top you have a great view of the rest of the area.

There is no crater at the top of this cone. My kids loved the texture of the rushed lava on this hike. This is one of the best Craters of the moon hikes if you want a view and just a short walk.

Explore the Spatter Cones

The next stop on the loop trail is the Spatter Cones. This is another short walk from the car that takes you into the spatter cones. Spatter Cones are really small volcanos where molten lava was blown into the air. You can actually take the trail right inside the spatter cone.

This is a short stop, but worth exploring.

Hike Broken Top Loop Trail

This 1.8-mile trail takes you right through the lava landscape. This is a nice, moderate hike that takes you right around Broken Top. You can also access Buffalo Caves with a permit. Just like many of the other Craters of the Moon hikes, you should wear good hiking shoes as the trails is on loose cinders and sharp lava.

Hike the Wilderness Trail

If you are looking for a longer hike, the Wilderness Trail in Craters of the Moon is a 10,6 mile out and back trail that is popular for hiking and running. The trail has minimal elevation gain, but also not a huge variety of scenery. If you are looking to really stretch your legs, you can do the whole trail, otherwise you can do just the first part and turn around when you choose.

This trail is best if you have 2 days to visit Craters of the Moon

Explore one of the Craters of the Moon Caves or Lava Tube

There are over 500 caves in Craters of the Moon formed when lava flows moved and drained leaving behind large sections of hardened lava in caves. Many of these caves can be explored under the surface. There are 5 caves you can explore at Craters of the Moon: Indian Tunnel, Dew Drop, Beauty, Buffalo Caves, and Boy Scout. In order to enter these caves you must purchase a permit at the entrance station. This goes towards protecting the bats.

Our favorite cave to explore was Indian Cave as you can walk down into it and follow the tunnel out to the other side where you need to squeeze through a small hole to get out. You should plan to bring a headlamp or flashlight to explore these caves.

Hike Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail

Make your final stop in Craters of the Moon a walk on Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail. This 0.8-mile easy trail winds through lava formations with informative signs. This makes a great final stop on your visit.

How to Get to Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon is best reached by car. You can see a few common driving distances below and scroll down for suggestions on places to stay near Craters of the Moon. Many people are visiting Craters of the Moon on a longer road trip. We stopped at Craters of the Moon most recently on our drive between Grant Tetons to McCall, Idaho.

• Grand Tetons to Craters of the Moon: 5 hours
• Boise to Craters of the Moon: 3 hours and 45 minutes
• Salt Lake City to Craters of the Moon: 4 hours and 30 minutes
• Idaho Falls to Craters of the Moon: 3 hours

Where to Stay Near Craters of the Moon National Monument

If you are looking for a place to stay near Craters of the Moon you will find just a few options. Idaho Falls is the closest City to Craters of the Moon but this is about 3 hours away, so while you can visit on a day trip, you may want to stay closer to the National Monument.

The closest town is Arco – a quirky little place with a few motels and campgrounds.

There is a campground right near Craters of the Moon. Lava Flow Campground has 42 sites and is open from May to November. This is a pretty little campground and is in a great location for exploring Craters of the Moon.

Summary

Craters of the Moon National Monument offers an interesting assortment of lava hikes and cave exploration. Give yourself 1 day to explore this unique National Monument and learn more about the geologic history of the area.

Common Questions about Craters of the Moon Hikes and Things to Do

Is There an Entrance Fee, and How Much Does It Cost?

There is a fee to enter Craters of the Moon. You can also use your America the Beautiful Parks Pass to enter. See more on the NPS site.

What Should I Bring for a Visit to Craters of the Moon?

Depending on the time of year, many of the Craters of the Moon hikes can be windy. There is also very little shade so no matter what the weather, you will be exposed to the elements. Bring extra layers for exploring the caves.

Other important things to bring include a headlamp for exploring caves and rugged shoes and/or hiking boots. The lava is sharp and challenging to navigate so you should make sure you are walking in shoes that protect your feet.

Are There Guided Tours or Ranger Programs Available?

There are often ranger-led programs at Craters of the Moon. You can see a schedule of these on the NPS website. You can also book an organized Craters of the Moon Tour.