It’s not often I hear a National Park name and say, ‘wait, where’s that?‘ But that was my exact reaction when first learning about Craters of the Moon. Driving through Idaho on the way to Glacier, I found this hidden gem out in the middle of the high desert plains thanks to Google Maps. Lucky for us, it was morning so we decided to spend one day in Craters of the Moon National Park.
Where is Craters of the Moon National Park?
Craters of the Moon is technically a ‘National Monument & Preserve,’ based in the high desert plains of Idaho. The location is just over 3 hours west of Grand Teton NP in Wyoming but still in a remote area. Because of its distant location, the park doesn’t see nearly as many visitors as others but a detour to visit for a day is completely worth it.
Why Does Craters of the Moon Exist?
Although the name suggests that this area is full of craters possibly formed by meteorites, that’s actually not the case. Craters of the Moon’s bizarre landscape was created by volcanic activity. The area of the park lies on the 52-mile Great Rift, a series of deep fissures that reach deep into the earth. Around 15,000 years ago, lava began flowing upward through the cracks, creating a plain of lava rock and mini volcanoes called cinder cones. The last known eruption was about 2,000 years ago, with future eruptions possible.
Tips for Visiting Craters of the Moon National Park
- As with most National Parks, there is an entrance fee which can be paid at the Visitor’s Center upon arrival. Click here for current entrance fees and hours of operation.
- Craters of the Moon is definitely explorable in one day. We arrived around 10 a.m. and left by 5 p.m.
- There is one campground in the park but backcountry camping is also available. Click here for more info.
- Everything to see in the park is accessible by the one-way 7-mile Loop Road.
- To see the best of the areas, it will require some short hiking but nothing too intense.
- Don’t miss the cave systems! But be sure to get your permit for cave spelunking at the Visitor Center to help combat the bat deaths caused by white-nose syndrome.
Read More: Cave Spelunking in Craters of the Moon NP
How to Spend One Day in Craters of the Moon National Park
North Crater Flow Trail
Near the campground is the first short hike of the day with 0.3 miles through younger lava rocks that have formed into larger fragments.
Devil’s Orchard
Before getting to the one-way portion of the Loop Road, a short half mile walk through Devil’s Orchard is a must. With a paved pathway leading through quirky lava formations and sagebrush vegetation, it’s the perfect intro into what Craters of the Moon will look like.
Inferno Cone
Probably one of the coolest spots in Craters of the Moon is the 6100-foot tall Inferno Cone. A short (but very steep) half mile climb to the peak will supply you with 360-degree views of the surrounding high plains.
When climbing up the hill, try and pace yourself so you don’t get winded. There’s a dirt trail that rounds the perimeter of the top of the Inferno Cone. Walking around to the opposite side, you’ll get an unobstructed view to Big Cinder Butte, one of the largest basaltic cinder cones in the world.
Spatter Cones
Veering off on the next parking area on the Loop Road is the Spatter Cones, miniature volcanoes dotted around the landscape. A short walk on a paved path winding around the cone leads you to the top for a peak inside.
Even though it was over 80 degrees out here, snow was still packed in one of the cones!
Buffalo Caves via Broken Top Loop Trail & Tree Molds Trail
You won’t have to wander far from the next parking area to access 3 different sites. The first is the Tree Molds Trail, definitely worth a visit to see the imprint of lava-charred trees. Next is the 1.8 mile Broken Top Loop Trail that winds you around the freshest lava on the Snake River Plain and a large cinder cone.
Heading counterclockwise, 0.5 miles in to that trail are the Buffalo Caves. A difficult yet exciting area to explore, be sure to bring along your backcountry essentials like a headlamp and flashlight for this activity!
Caves Trail
And now for my favorite area in all of Craters of the Moon, the Caves Trail. Not long after continuing on the road, you’ll take a right towards the trailhead where you can access the remaining 4 caves available for spelunking.
With easy to difficult options, choose from the Dew Drop Cave, Indian Tunnel, Boy Scout Cave and Beauty Cave to explore. Or do what we did and attempt spelunking in all three!
Read More: Cave Spelunking in Craters of the Moon NP
Read More National Park Posts HereBefore heading out on trails, it’s imperative that you’re familiar with the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
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