A close-up shot of a folded, waving sea of lava rock, with mountains in the far distance.

Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

National Monument & Preserve · Idaho

NPS / David Hunter

📍 StateIdaho
🏛️ TypeNational Monument & Preserve
🎟️ Entry$20
🏃 Activities22
Official NPS Website →

About Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow.

Park Photos

A close-up shot of a folded, waving sea of lava rock, with mountains in the far distance.
Small purple flowers and larger white flowers with reddish stems grow out of black volcanic rock
The Craters entrance sign sits below a starry night sky, with the milky way brightly-lit.
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.

Activities

Operating Hours

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

The Loop Road is typically open from mid April through late November. High clearance four-wheel drive is highly recommended on BLM Monument roads and are impassible when snow or water is present.

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Craters of the Moon National Monument

The scenic Loop Road is open to vehicles as conditions allow. The Loop Road is generally open to motorized vehicles from late April through late November.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve?

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $20.00. 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. Entrance - Motorcycle: $15.00. Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Commercial Entrance - Sedan: $25.00. This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. Entrance - Per Person: $10.00. This per-person fee provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. Youth age 15 and under are free. Entrance - Education/Academic Groups: $0.00. 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: $100.00. This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. Commercial Entrance - Van: $40.00. This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

What are the best activities at Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve?

Popular activities at Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve include: Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Road Biking, Camping, Backcountry Camping.

What is the weather like at Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve?

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.

How do I get to Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve?

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. 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.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - 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.

Entrance - 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.

Entrance - Per Person$10

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

Entrance - 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.

Weather

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.

Directions

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. 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.

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Location

State(s)
Coordinates43.2035, -113.4792

Official Resources

NPS Official Website