CRATERS of the MOON General Management Plan

The following section contains a brief summary of the important features of Craters of the Moon National Monument. For a detailed description of the monument, see appendix B.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF MONUMENT

Natural Setting

Craters of the Moon National Monument was established by presidential proclamation in 1924. The monument occupies approximately 54,000 acres in the eastern Snake River Plain, which crosses southern Idaho as a broad arc of low topographic relief, contrasting with the mountainous terrain of the rest of the state (see Location map). The monument's location may seem remote, but it is within a two-hour drive of major population centers in south eastern Idaho and on a well-traveled tourist route between Yellowstone National Park and the region of Sun Valley and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. U.S. Highway 20-26-93, the main highway passing through the northwest corner of the monument, provides excellent year-round access.

The significance of the monument is the relatively young age of the lava flows and the diversity of volcanic features in a small geographic area. The monument contains part of one of the four rift sets that make up the Great Rift, a volcanic rift zone that extends for 60 miles from the Pioneer Mountains south nearly to the Snake River. Visitors to the monument can see some of the most spectacular and diverse features along the Great Rift, including vast basaltic lava flows and associated volcanic products from eruptions that occurred between 15,000 and 2,100 years ago. Features include two types of lava flow (pahoehoe and aa), cinder cones, rafted blocks, fissure cracks, vents, spatter cones, lava tubes, and tree molds (some volcanic terms are defined in appendix C). A visitor can learn about the monument's interesting and fragile resources in a few hours; those seeking to learn more may stay longer, enjoying cool mornings and evenings and exploring related features in the region (see Physical Resources map).

The monument's fauna and particularly its flora reflect the influence of the geologic setting. Plant succession is well illustrated among different aged lava flows. Three subspecies of small mammals were first described from this area and are found only in the vicinity of lava flows of the Great Rift.

The northern end of the monument includes a small portion of the foothills of the Pioneer Mountains. The north unit (4,125 acres) is a different environment from the volcanic area to the south: it is a sagebrush-grassland shrub steppe with stands of Douglas-fir and quaking aspen. Riparian areas surround the small watercourses that arise from springs in the foothills.

Approximately 81% of the monument (43,243 acres) was designated wilderness on October 23, 1970. The remaining acres surround and include the monument's most dramatic volcanic features and encompass the foothills and flanks of the Pioneer Mountains. Nearly all visitation occurs adjacent to the scenic park road corridor; backcountry and wilderness areas are used little because of harsh terrain, extreme temperatures, and lack of water.

Available Facilities and Services

The developments at Craters of the Moon have been designed to support the primary objectives of protecting the volcanic features and interpreting them to the public. The following facilities and services are available.

A combination visitor center and administration building near the entrance from U.S. 20-26-93 offers exhibits and a five-minute videotape about lava phenomena and the geologic processes that created them. Publications, maps, and the monument brochure are available at the center.

A 5.6-mile loop drive leads to scenic areas and some of the most spectacular volcanic features, including cinder cones, lava fragments, and several caves. There are interpretive wayside exhibits throughout the monument at major features. When the road is blocked by snow, vehicles can be driven only to the developed area, but the wayside exhibits can be seen by skiers in winter, when the loop drive is converted to a crosscountry ski trail.

Trails from the loop drive lead to many significant features. Some trails lead to specific points of interest; others are loop trails or connect to other points. Self-guiding trails lead to the North Crater flow , Devils Orchard, and the caves area. Interpretation along these fairly short trails (1/3 mile to 2 miles) is available through a combination of trail leaflets and wayside exhibits.

Picnic tables have been placed at several locations along the loop drive, and there are toilet facilities at two trailheads. Water is available only at the visitor center and the campground. A lack of shade discourages picnicking, but visitors move tables under a tree if one is available.

The interpretive staff leads guided walks daily to features such as Buffalo Caves and the lava tubes. The variety of programs available varies with available funding and staff. Nightly programs are offered at an amphitheater that was constructed in the campground in 1987.

On-site teachers' workshops and environmental education programs for school groups are conducted in May and September. Thirty-six elementary to high school groups participated in these programs in fiscal year 1990—a total of 1,697 students. Twelve college groups also visited the monument during that time.

A 52-site campground that has been carved out of the lava formations presents an extraordinary setting and some unusual campsites. The campground appears to meet the demand: campers must be turned away on some days, but commercial campsites with complete facilities for recreation al vehicles generally are available in Arco, about 18 miles north.

A primitive campground for groups is available across the highway a short distance northwest of the main developed area. The site offers privacy but is remote from such monument services as evening programs.

Winter camping is permitted, but campsites are not cleared of snow, and water and restroom facilities are not available. Portable toilets are provided near the winter parking area. Visitors crosscountry skiing in the monument may camp by permit at the caves parking area.

A permit is required for backcountry camping, which is allowed only in the wilderness area and at the group campground in the north unit.

There are no concessioner-operated services in the monument. Soft drinks are available at the visitor center. Food and other concession services do not seem necessary, as Arco is nearby.

Major redevelopment of management and visitor facilities was accomplished during the Mission 66 program in the late 1950s and early 1960s. As technology and management emphasis have changed since then, some of the facilities no longer function adequately.

Management Philosophy

Craters of the Moon National Monument is managed to protect volcanic features of the Great Rift for their scientific and educational value and to inform the public about the significance and fragility of these resources. Recreational experiences such as camping, hiking, skiing, and biking are secondary to these primary objectives.

To ensure understanding and protection of the resources, there is major emphasis on research in the monument. The management objectives (quoted in appendix D) include preservation of volcanic features, wilderness, and cultural resources; perpetuation of natural ecosystems and regional resources; encouragement of camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities; and promotion of scientific research.

LEGISLATED AUTHORITY

In 1924 an area of public lands in Idaho was "reserved from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws" and set apart as Craters of the Moon National Monument (see appendix E). The presidential proclamation that established the monument recognized the lands as an area of unusual scientific value, general interest, and educational value

which contains a remarkable fissure eruption together with its associated volcanic cones, craters, rifts, lava flows, caves, natural bridges, and other phenomena characteristic of volcanic action; . . . and . . . contains many curious and unusual phenomena of great educational value and has a weird and scenic landscape peculiar to itself.

In the proclamation, President Coolidge said, "it appears that the public interest would be promoted by reserving these volcanic features as a National Monument, together with as much land as may be needed for the protection thereof."

Other lands were added in 1928 and 1930 to provide a water source and to include "additional features of scientific interest located thereon."

In 1941 lands "not necessary for the proper care and management of the objects of scientific interest situated within the said monument" were excluded from the monument to allow construction of Idaho Highway 22 (since renumbered to U.S. 20-26-93).

A 1962 presidential proclamation added Carey Kipuka (180 acres) and intervening lands between the kipuka and the then existing monument, a total of 5,346.41 acres (see appendix C for a definition of a kipuka). Craters of the Moon Wilderness (43,243 acres) was designated in 1970.

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