Established in 1924, Craters of the Moon National Monument celebrated its 75th
birthday in 1999. The area is managed cooperatively by the National Park
Service and the Bureau of Land Management(BLM). The Monument is a geologic
wonder cast in a wild and remote landscape. Its central focus is the Great
Rift, a 62-mile long crack in the earth's crust. The Great Rift is the source
of a remarkably preserved volcanic landscape with an array of exceptional
features. Craters, cinder coves, lava tubes, deep cracks, and vast lava fields
form a strangely beautiful volcanic sea on central Idaho's Snake River Plain.

Established in 1924, Craters of the Moon National Monument celebrated its 75th birthday in 1999. The area is managed cooperatively by the National
Park Service and the Bureau of Land
Management(BLM). 
    
The Monument is a geologic wonder cast in a wild and remote landscape. Its central focus is the Great Rift, a 62-mile
long crack in the earth's crust. The Great Rift is the source of a remarkably preserved volcanic landscape with an array of exceptional features. Craters, cinder coves, lava tubes, deep cracks, and vast lava fields form a strangely beautiful volcanic sea on central Idaho's Snake River Plain.

Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon National Monument

The Bureau of Land Management's Craters of the Moon National Monument and
Preserve is a 750,000-acre geologic wonderland, managed jointly with the
National Park Service's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.
Its central feature is the Great Rift, a 52-mile long crack in the Earth's
crust. The Great Rift is a remarkably preserved volcanic landscape. Exposed
fissures, lava fields, lava tubes, craters and cinder cones form a strangely
beautiful volcanic sea on central Idaho's Snake River Plain. This landscape
was formed by eruptions that started 15,000 years ago and represents the last
period of volcanic activity in this area. The most recent activity occurred
just 2,100 years ago, and is likely to continue. Craters of the Moon offers
countless opportunities for hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, wildlife
viewing and backcountry travel. For casual travelers the seven-mile Loop Road
and trails in the National Park Service Monument and Preserve provide easy
access to this weird and scenic landscape. A network of primitive roads in the
BLM backcountry offer driving and exploration opportunities for motorists with
high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicles. Note: All camping facilities are
managed by the National Park Service's Craters of the Moon National Monument
and Preserve. Dispersed, undeveloped camping is also available on BLM-managed
lands within and near the Monument.

The Bureau of Land Management's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a 750,000-acre geologic wonderland, managed jointly with the National Park Service's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Its central feature is the Great Rift, a 52-mile long crack in the Earth's crust. The Great Rift is a remarkably preserved volcanic landscape. Exposed fissures, lava fields, lava tubes, craters and cinder cones form a strangely beautiful volcanic sea on central Idaho's Snake River Plain. This landscape was formed by eruptions that started 15,000 years ago and represents the last period of volcanic activity in this area. The most recent activity occurred just 2,100 years ago, and is likely to continue. Craters of the Moon offers countless opportunities for hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing and backcountry travel. For casual travelers the seven-mile Loop Road and trails in the National Park Service Monument and Preserve provide easy access to this weird and scenic landscape. A network of primitive roads in the BLM backcountry offer driving and exploration opportunities for motorists with high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
Note: All camping facilities are managed by the National Park Service's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Dispersed, undeveloped camping is also available on BLM-managed lands within and near the Monument.

Bird's eye view of the park

Small reservoir that only holds water in the spring, contact BLM Shoshone
Field Office regarding water levels. This is a popular semi developed camping
location for hunters.

Small reservoir that only holds water in the spring, contact BLM Shoshone Field Office regarding water levels.  This is a popular semi developed camping location for hunters.

Fish Creek Reservoir

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 10,000 acres of public lands in the Friedman
Creek Wilderness Study Area. This area, characterized by steep mountainous
terrain, is home to a small trout fishery. The diverse terrain enhances
opportunities for hiking.

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 10,000 acres of public lands in the Friedman Creek Wilderness Study Area. This area, characterized by steep mountainous terrain, is home to a small trout fishery. The diverse terrain enhances opportunities for hiking.

Friedman Creek Wilderness Study Area

The Great Rift lies in the Snake River Plain in south-central Idaho. Wildlife
species here include antelope, mule deer, coyotes, rabbits and 22 other types
of mammals. Sage grouse, mourning doves and a variety of raptors are among 140
bird species in the lava plain area too.

The Great Rift lies in the Snake River Plain in south-central Idaho. Wildlife species here include antelope, mule deer,
coyotes, rabbits and 22 other types of mammals. Sage grouse, mourning doves and a variety of raptors are among 140 bird species in the lava plain area too.

Great Rift ISA Wilderness Study Area

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 22,000 acres of public lands in Appendicitis Hill
Wilderness Study Area. Appendictis Hill lies between Antelope Creek and the
Big Lost River drainages. This mountainous area includes Crawford Peak rising
over 8,500 feet, almost 2,900 feet above Antelope Valley. Opportunities for
hiking, backpacking, hunting, wildlife viewing, photography, climbing and
sightseeing are available here, although the area's steep and rugged terrain
make them challenging. Scenic views of the surrounding mountain ranges, valley
floors and lava plain are excellent from this area's high ridges and peaks.

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 22,000 acres of public lands in Appendicitis Hill Wilderness Study Area. Appendictis Hill lies between Antelope Creek and the Big Lost River drainages. This mountainous area includes Crawford Peak rising over 8,500 feet, almost 2,900 feet above Antelope Valley. Opportunities for hiking, backpacking, hunting, wildlife viewing, photography, climbing and sightseeing are available here, although the area's steep and rugged terrain make them challenging. Scenic views of the surrounding mountain ranges, valley floors and lava plain are excellent from this area's high ridges and peaks.

Appendicitis Hill Wilderness Study Area

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.

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.

Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 10,000 acres of public lands in the White Knob
Mountains Wilderness Study Area. The WSA is characterized by foothill and
mountainous terrain with the highest point rising 2000 feet above Antelope
Valley to an elevation of 7955 feet. This is also an important area for
wintering deer and elk herds.

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 10,000 acres of public lands in the White Knob Mountains Wilderness Study Area. The WSA is characterized by foothill and mountainous terrain with the highest point rising 2000 feet above Antelope Valley to an elevation of 7955 feet. This is also an important area for wintering deer and elk herds.

White Knob Mountains Wilderness Study Area

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 10,000 acres of public lands in the Black Den
Butte Wilderness Study Area. Outstanding opportunities for solitude can be
found here. The rugged volcanic features and desert environment have
opportunities for camping, hiking and hunting.

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 10,000 acres of public lands in the Black Den Butte Wilderness Study Area. Outstanding opportunities for solitude can be found here. The rugged volcanic features and desert environment have opportunities for camping, hiking and hunting.

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Fish Creek Reservoir

Friedman Creek Wilderness Study Area

Great Rift ISA Wilderness Study Area

Appendicitis Hill Wilderness Study Area

Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

White Knob Mountains Wilderness Study Area

Bear Den Butte Wilderness Study Area