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.

Bird's eye view of the park

Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

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.

Bear Den Butte 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 over 33,000 acres of public lands in Little Deer
Wilderness Study Area. The rugged volcanic features and desert environment of
this area provide opportunities for hiking, camping and hunting.

In Idaho, BLM manages over 33,000 acres of public lands in Little Deer Wilderness Study Area. The rugged volcanic features and desert environment of this area provide opportunities for hiking, camping and hunting.

Tent Pad

Fire Ring

Picnic Table

Site 16

Entrance

Little Deer Wilderness Study Area

The Great Rift is one of only two such features in the world. At 635 square
miles, it is considered to be the largest, deepest, and most recent volcanic
rift system in the continental United States. Many of Idaho`s most fascinating
geological features lie along this potential wilderness. A tremendous fissure
extending 65 miles opened up to emit successive lava flows some 15,000 years
ago. This volcanic landscape with spatter caves, ice tubes, caves, and cinder
cones awaits the adventurous desert hiker. It contains undisturbed and unusual
geologic features throughout the 380,000 acres of the Craters of the Moon and
Wapi lava flows. Abundant wildlife, including sage grouse, mourning doves,
mule deer, and antelope, inhabit the area. Visitors can marvel at the scale-
like formations of the Blue Dragon lava flow, hike the sharp and broken a`a
lava of the Bear Park Kipuka, and explore lava tube caves inhabited as early
as 1200 A.D.

The Great Rift is one of only two such features in the world. At 635 square miles, it is considered to be the largest, deepest, and most recent volcanic rift system in the continental United States. Many of Idaho`s most fascinating geological features lie along this potential wilderness. A tremendous fissure extending 65 miles opened up to emit successive lava flows some 15,000 years ago. This volcanic landscape with spatter caves, ice tubes, caves, and cinder cones awaits the adventurous desert hiker. It contains undisturbed and unusual geologic features throughout the 380,000 acres of the Craters of the Moon and Wapi lava flows. Abundant wildlife, including sage grouse, mourning doves, mule deer, and antelope, inhabit the area. Visitors can marvel at the scale-like formations of the Blue Dragon lava flow, hike the sharp and broken a`a lava of the Bear Park Kipuka, and explore lava tube caves inhabited as early as 1200 A.D.

Great Rift Backcountry Area

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.

Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Bear Den Butte Wilderness Study Area

Great Rift ISA Wilderness Study Area

Little Deer Wilderness Study Area

Great Rift Backcountry Area

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Craters of the Moon National Monument