Current Conditions - Craters of the Moon

Alerts

 

Visitor Center and Bookstore Open Thursday Through Monday

• The visitor center, bookstore, museum, and visitor center restrooms are open Thursday through Monday. Review the visitor center hours.
• Be prepared for your visit. Snow and ice may be present on the road or trails at any time.
• Drinking water and restrooms are only available in the visitor center when open.
• Check the local weather forecast before driving to the park. The park is open 24 hours but temporary closures of the Loop Road may occur due to icy conditions.
• Passport stamps are available in the bookstore during business hours. You can also email the park, and we can mail you copies of the passport stamps.
• Information on things to do can be found online and on the free National Park Service app. Cell service is very limited inside the park, so we recommend downloading the app and saving Craters of the Moon for offline use before you arrive.
• The full park film, Craters of the Moon: The Movie, is available online as well as other short videos on our multimedia page.

Loop Road and All Trails Closed to Everyone May 20-24

Due to a road maintenance project, the Loop Road and all hiking trails are closed to all foot, bike, and vehicle traffic from Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 24 while heavy machinery is in operation. End date is subject to change. This page and web alerts will be updated as conditions change.

 

NPS Illustration / S. Lacy

Lava Flow Campground is Closed

Due to a road maintenance project, the campground is closed to all camping Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 24 while heavy machinery is in operation. End date is subject to change. RV or car camping is not permitted at the visitor center. Check out other camping options near Craters of the Moon.

All Lava Tube Caves are Closed

All lava tube caves are closed for the season and are typically open early June through October as conditions allow. When open, a free cave permit is required to enter the caves. Cave permits protect bats. Permits can only be obtained in person at the visitor center during business hours.

The America the Beautiful passes including the Annual, Senior, Access, Military, and Fourth Grade passes do not count as a cave permit.

 

Temporary Closures

Cave Closures During 2024

Buffalo Caves, located on the Broken Top Loop, is closed. In the Caves Area, Boy Scout Cave and Beauty Cave are closed. All other caves in the park remain closed. These caves are closed to protect bats and due to sensitive environmental conditions. Help protect bats by respecting closures.

Planning Your Trip

Conditions can change rapidly this time of year. Check these sources before travelling to the park:

• Highway Conditions - The US-93 Tom Cat Summit camera located 5 miles west of the visitor center near mile marker 226 provides live views of visibility and road conditions in the immediate area.
• Live Weather Conditions at the Visitor Center
• Weather Forecast for Craters of the Moon
• Live Smoke Map and Air Quality

 

Recreate Responsibly

When recreating, please follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. Idaho Rebound (COVID-19) Plan