Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve
Printable Travel Guide
http://www.nps.gov/crmo

IN BRIEF

This sea of black lava with islands of sage has been described as "a weird and scenic landscape". Established by Presidential proclamation in 1924, Craters of the Moon National Monument was enlarged by another proclamation in 2000. Portions of the expanded Monument were designated as a National Preserve in August 2002.

The Monument and Preserve encompass three major lava fields and 250,000 acres of sagebrush steppe grasslands. The rugged landscape remains remote and undeveloped with only one paved road across the northern end. Traditional livestock grazing continues within the grass/shrublands administered by BLM.

The Craters of the Moon lava field spreads across 618 square miles and is the largest young basaltic lava field in the lower 48 states. The area contains more than 25 volcanic cones including outstanding examples of spatter cones. Sixty distinct lava flows form the Craters of the Moon lava field ranging in age from 15,000 to just 2,000 years old.

The Kings Bowl and Wapi lava fields, both about 2,200 years old, are now part of the National Preserve. All three lava fields lie along the Great Rift, displaying some of the best examples of open rift cracks in the world. There are excellent examples of pahoehoe, slabby pahoehoe, shelly pahoehoe, spiny pahoehoe, aa, and block lava, as well as rafted blocks, tree molds, lava tubes, and many other volcanic features.

CONTACTS

Email - CRMO_Information@nps.gov

Fax- 208-527-3073

Write to
Craters of the Moon National Monument
National Park Service
P.O. Box 29, Arco, ID 83213

- or -
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Bureau of Land Management
Shoshone Field Office, P.O. Box 2B, Shoshone, ID 83352

Phone
Visitor Information - (208) 527-3257
Headquarters - (208) 527-3257

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The Monument is open 24 hours all year. The visitor center (for hours see Robert Limbert Visitor Center) has a recently remodeled museum with state of the art exhibits that explain the natural and cultural history of the area.

Getting There
PLANE - Nearest airports are located in Hailey, Idaho (60 miles), Idaho Falls, Idaho (84 miles), and Twin Falls, Idaho (90 miles)

CAR - 18 miles west of Arco, Idaho on Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles east of Carey, Idaho on Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - None

Weather & Climate
High Desert Climate; Elevation at the visitor center is 5,900 feet. Average High/Low Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit: Jan. 29/10; Feb. 35/16; March 41/21; April 54/28; May 63/37; June 73/47; July 84/51; Aug. 80/45; Sept. 71/41; Oct. 61/31; Nov. 39/22; Dec. 31/12

Monthly Average Precipitation/Snowfall/Snowpack in inches: Jan. 2.6/21/30.2; Feb. 1.7/22.5/34.1; March 1.2/6.8/31; April 1/3.3/14.6; May 1.6/2.6/2.2; June 1.8/0/0; July 0.5/0/0; Aug. 0.8/0/0; Sept. 1/0.4/0; Oct. 0.8/1/0.1; Nov. 1.5/7/5; Dec. 2.0/15/17

Accessibility
Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible including restrooms. Devil's Orchard Trail is a 1/2-mile fully accessible loop trail. Campground Restroom is accessible.

Getting Around
No public transportation.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
INDIVIDUAL (FOOT OR BICYCLE)
$3.00 for 7 Days

PRIVATE VEHICLE
$5.00 for 7 Days

Permits
WILDERNESS CAMPING
Free!
Required for overnight camping in the Craters of the Moon Wilderness Area. Free permits are available at the Visitor Center.

CAMPING

Craters of the Moon Lava Flow Campground
Closure dates vary depending upon snow conditions.
Fifty-one sites are available on a first come first serve basis; no reservations are accepted. Water, restrooms, charcoal grills, and picnic tables are provided. There are no hookups or showers, and no wood fires are permitted. Large RV's and trailers can be accomodated in a limited number of sites. During the summer season, sites are generally available until late evening. Commercial campgrounds with hookups are available in Arco, Idaho, 18 miles east of the Monument. Quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM (no generators running, loud music, etc.). From October through May, water and other services are limited or unavailable. Campground is not plowed of snow in winter and the loop drive is closed at the visitor center. Skiers and snowshoers may winter camp at the campground (1/4 mile ski or snowshoe from the visitor center) or at Devil's Orchard (2 1/4 mile ski or snowshoe from the visitor center); shovel is required.

Group Camp
Mid-May through September depending upon weather conditions.
Campsite for large groups. Available by reservation only. Picnic tables, drinking water, fire grate and vault restroom are provided. Fee charged.Thirty person maximum group size.
For More Information on this campground please call 208-527-3257

LODGING

Off-Site Lodging
All year, lodging is available in Arco, 18 miles from the monument. Contact Lost River Visitor Center for more information (208) 527-8977 E-Mail: lrvc@cyberhighway.net

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
ROBERT LIMBERT VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
September 2, 2003 till Memorial Day 2004 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Phone - 208/527/3257
Location - The visitor center is located off Highway 93,20/26 mid-way between Arco and Carey Idaho.
Closures - Closed on Federal Holidays during the winter.
Exhibits - Museum, located in the visitor center, was remodled in 1997 and contains state of the art exhibits that explain the natural and cultural history of the area.
Available Facilities - The visitor center book store contains an extensive selection of publications as well as a variety of visitor convenience items. A snack machine, pop machine, and pay phone are also available at the visitor center. Restrooms with running water are available at the visitor center during open hours.