Craters of the Moon:
An Educational Experience
Craters of the Moon was set aside as a National Monument by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924. In his proclamation declaring Craters of the Moon a National Monument, President Coolidge stated that the area contained "Many curious and unusual phenomena of great educational value and has a weird and scenic landscape peculiar to itself." Preserved because of its geological significance, Craters of the Moon provides a unique opportunity to study a volcanic landscape. Although most of Craters of the Moon is covered by seemingly barren lava flows, it also supports a surprising diversity of plants and animals, e.g. 375 species of plants, 43 mammals, and 159 birds.

Reservations
Every weekday during May at least two school groups visit the monument. The ranger staff presents orientations for arriving groups at the Visitor Center. Orientation talks include a brief explanation of the significance of Craters of the Moon National Monument, as well as safety hazards your group may encounter. If you would like an orientation, we suggest making your reservation as far ahead as possible. Most field trips are scheduled between the first of May and Memorial Day because the unpredictable spring weather may prevent the opening of the Loop road until late April. As an alternative, you may want to consider scheduling your visit in September. Reservations can be made by calling (208)527-3257.

Fee Waivers
School groups entering the monument for educational purposes can obtain a fee waiver. The National Park Service does not collect entrance fees during the off season, generally from mid-September through mid-May. School groups that have made a reservation for an orientation do not have to request a fee waiver, it is done for you as part of the registration process. When the Fee Station is open, school groups without a reservation must obtain a fee waiver prior to their arrival at the monument to avoid being charged for admission. To obtain a fee waiver:

1. Make your request in writing to: Craters of the Moon National Monument, P.O. Box 29, Arco, Idaho 83213, Att. Fee Coordinator.
2. Use official school letterhead.
3. Explain how your trip to Craters of the Moon relates to the educational experience of your group. Please be specific.
4. Include the dates and the number of persons in your group.

Field Trips vs Recreational Activities
Craters of the Moon is an exceptional area for the study of volcanic activity along with the plants and animals native to Idaho's high desert. For this reason, we encourage schools to integrate their field trips with their classroom curriculum.

Facilities
In the winter, Labor Day to mid-June, the Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In the summer, from mid-June to Labor Day, the Visitor Center may have expanded hours. Exhibits at the Visitor Center include a five minute video on volcanic geology, as well as a wildlife display, and exhibits on geology and the history of Craters of the Moon. There is also a bookstore where books, postcards, posters, video cassettes, slide sets, and a limited selection of film are available. A complete listing of sales items and prices is available upon request. Restrooms are available at the Visitor Center, Caves Trail parking area, Devil's Orchard, and the Tree Molds parking area. Drinking water is not available once you leave the Visitor Center area. All visitors are advised to carry water whenever they plan to be in the field for more than an hour. Picnic facilities are available at the campground or the Visitor Center.

Student Conduct
The following regulations should be discussed with your group prior to their arrival at the monument. All the natural features within Craters of the Moon are protected. Collecting of rocks is strictly prohibited. Since walking or climbing on the fragile lava rock can cause irreversible damage, all visitors to the North Crater Flow, Spatter Cones, and Big Craters areas are required to stay on the paved walkways. If you have an opportunity to view the wildlife found at Craters of the Moon, use caution not to disturb the animals. Feeding, handling, or harassing wildlife is prohibited. All litter must be disposed of properly.

Safety
In order to have a safe educational visit, precautions must be taken. Since lava rock is sharp and any fall may result in an injury, running, pushing, or horseplay in general can lead to serious accidents. Because of the danger of falling, extreme caution and supervision is required around the Spatter Cones and Big Craters area. Keep students a safe distance from the crater's edge. Climbing on the bars and cables at the Spatter Cones is strictly prohibited. The caves, often totally dark with low ceilings, small crawlways and rocky floors, must be approached cautiously with safety a primary consideration. A reliable source of artificial light is needed for all caves. In early spring you may find either all or some of the caves closed because of hazardous ice and snow conditions within them--call ahead and check on their status. Even after the caves are open, some will still contain ice and extra caution should be exercised. In the event of an accident, contact the nearest Ranger.

Group Size and Supervision
Group size should be limited to a maximum of 30 students. Groups larger than this have difficulty staying together on the trail and students may have difficulty hearing the group leader. If your group is larger than 30 students, plan to divide your group into smaller groups, providing each group with its own leader. The smaller the group, the more individual students will gain from the experience. There should be at least one adult for ten students. Leaders and adults must remain with the group at all times.

Weather
The 7-mile Loop Drive through the park is closed from approximately November 1st to April 15th. The weather at Craters of the Moon is unpredictable. At an elevation of 5,900 feet, cold, windy, or snowy weather is often possible even in late May. Canceling a field trip at the last moment is awkward, but trips in snow and rain are rarely enjoyable or safe. There is no sheltered or indoor area groups can utilize. It is advisable to call ahead if bad weather seems a possibility.

What to Bring
Each member of your group should bring the following: lunch if you plan to eat at the monument, a water bottle, clothing layers to stay warm and dry, long pants (shorts offer no knee protection if a student falls down), sturdy shoes or boots (no sandals or open toed shoes), and one flashlight per person if you plan to visit the caves area. A camera, binoculars, or hand lens are optional, but may enhance the experience. All items should be labeled with the person's name, address, and phone number in case anything is lost.

Because most school groups visiting Craters of the Moon have the same amount of time available, the following sample Itinerary may be useful.

Note: Visiting Indian Tunnel will add approximately one hour to this schedule.