Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
Time Needed: full-day, half-day
Experience Type: national park, scenic views
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve dazzles with its vast, other-worldly volcanic landscape. Shaped by lava flows and eruptions along Idaho’s Great Rift, the surreal terrain of cinder cones, caves, and rock formations was once a training ground for Apollo astronauts.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Drive the 7-Mile Loop Road – Follow this scenic drive to explore lava fields, cinder cones, and trailheads offering dramatic views of the monument’s volcanic terrain.
- Explore the Lava Tube Caves – Hike the Caves Trail to discover natural lava tunnels like Indian Tunnel, lit by skylights from collapsed cave ceilings. A free cave permit is required.
- Hike Up Inferno Cone – Climb this short, steep cinder cone for breathtaking panoramic views of the Great Rift and surrounding lava fields.
- Peer into the Spatter Cones – Take a quick walk to view miniature volcanic craters formed by blobs of molten lava hurled from erupting vents.
- Walk the Devils Orchard Nature Trail – Stroll this half-mile paved loop to see how resilient plants thrive in the stark, rocky volcanic landscape.
Fun Fact: Arco, Idaho, was the first city in the world to be powered by nuclear energy—briefly, for just an hour. Book a stay at the Silver Creek Hotel in nearby Bellevue. Set right on Main Street, it’s a short stroll to a coffee shop and a bakery.
Photo Credit: Jasperdo/Flickr