Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve - Trail Accessibility (U.S. National Park Service)

Trail Descriptions

Craters of the Moon is actively trying to provide good access to as many of the major features within the developed area of the monument as possible, but each trail has its own characteristics. These characteristics are detailed in this section to help you decide which sites are most suitable for you and your family to visit.

images of various hiking trails

NORTH CRATER FLOW
	TRAIL LENGTH: 0.3 miles (0.5 km) one way CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 38 ft (12 m), loss 24 ft (7 m)
	TYPICAL GRADE: 2.5° (3.6%) 13% of trail is from 4.5° to 10° (8% to 18%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%)
	TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 1.5° (2.8%) 9% of trail is from 4.5° to 12.5° (8% to 22%)
	TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 43 in (110 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 26 in (66 cm)
	TRAIL SURFACE: asphalt 99% of trail is PAVED, 1% of trail is BOARDWALK OBSTRUCTIONS: RUTS to 4 inches
	WARNING: Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Temporary obstructions may include rock fall. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.

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NORTH CRATER to SPATTER CONES
	TRAIL LENGTH: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) one way CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 758 ft (231 m), loss 510 ft (155 m)
	TYPICAL GRADE: 7.5° (13.4%) 64% of trail is from 4.5° to 43° (8% to 94%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%)
	TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 2.5° (4.2%) 28% of trail is from 4.5° to 48.5° (8% to 113%)
	TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 44 in (111 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 18 in (46 cm)
	TRAIL SURFACE: cinders and lava 90% of trail is FIRM or HARD, 10% of trail is PAVED OBSTRUCTIONS: ROCKS to 10 inches, RUTS to 16 inches, STEPS to 19 inches
	WARNING: There is one uprooted tree along the trail that restricts vertical clearance to 54 inches. Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Temporary obstructions may include downed trees and rock fall. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.

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DEVIL'S ORCHARD
	TRAIL LENGTH: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) one way CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 39 ft (12 m), loss 28 ft (9 m)
	TYPICAL GRADE: 1.5° (2.5%) 12% of trail is from 4.5° to 9° (8% to 15%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%)
	TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 2° (3.8%)
	TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 60 in (152 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 60 in (152 cm)
	TRAIL SURFACE: concrete 100% of trail is PAVED
	WARNING: Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Temporary obstructions may include downed trees and rock fall. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.

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INFERNO CONE
	TRAIL LENGTH: 0.2 miles (0.3 km) one way CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 164 ft (50 m)
	TYPICAL GRADE: 8.5° (14.9%) 91% of trail is from 4.5° to 15.5° (8% to 28%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%)
	TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 1.8° (3%)
	TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 60 in (152 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 60 in (152 cm)
	TRAIL SURFACE: cinders 100% of trail is FIRM OBSTRUCTIONS: ROCKS to 4 inches
	WARNING: Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Temporary obstructions may include downed trees and rock fall. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.

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SPATTER CONES
	TRAIL LENGTH: 274 feet (84 meters) one way CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 24 ft (7 m), loss 7 ft (2 m)
	TYPICAL GRADE: 6.5° (11%) 36% of trail is from 4.5° to 22° (8% to 41%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%)
	TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 1° (2%) 3% of trail is from 4.5° to 6° (8% to 10%)
	TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 48 in (122 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 30 in (76 cm)
	TRAIL SURFACE: asphalt 96% of trail is PAVED, 4% of trail is UNEVEN ROCK OBSTRUCTIONS: BUCKLES IN ASPHALT
	WARNING: Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Temporary obstructions may include rock fall. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.

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TREE MOLDS
	TRAIL LENGTH: 1 mile (1.5 km) to 1st group of tree molds CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 108 ft (33 m), loss 147 ft (45 m)
	TYPICAL GRADE: 3° (5.1%) 20% of trail is from 4.5° to 14° (8% to 25%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%)
	TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 2.5° (4%) 36% of trail is from 4.5° to 10° (8% to 18%)
	TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 44 in (113 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 17 in (43 cm)
	TRAIL SURFACE: asphalt and cinder 10% of trail is PAVED, 90% of trail is cinder OBSTRUCTIONS: ROCKS to 5 inches
	WARNING: Trail measurements end at 1st group of tree molds. After that point, expect rocks, ruts, and steps of varying sizes. Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Temporary obstructions may include downed trees and rock fall. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.

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BROKEN TOP LOOP
	TRAIL LENGTH: 1.8 miles (3 km) one way CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 242 ft (74 m), loss 197 ft (60 m)
	TYPICAL GRADE: 3° (4.8%) 23% of trail is from 4.5° to 32° (8% to 62%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%)
	TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 1° (2.3%) 12% of trail is from 4.5° to 16° (8% to 29%)
	TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 49 in (124 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 18 in (46 cm)
	TRAIL SURFACE: cinders and lava 74% of trail is FIRM, 26% of trail is HARD or PAVED OBSTRUCTIONS: ROCKS to 12 inches, RUTs to 10 inches, STEPS to 20 inches
	WARNING: Entry into Buffalo Cave requires scrambling over loose rock and crouching under low ceilings. Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Temporary obstructions may include downed trees and rock fall. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.

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CAVES
	TRAIL LENGTH: 0.8 miles (1.3 km) one way CUMULATIVE ELEVATION CHANGE: gain 95 ft (29 m), loss 93 ft (28 m)
	TYPICAL GRADE: 2.5° (4.5%) 21% of trail is from 4.5° to 36.5° (8% to 74%) Standard wheelchair ramp is 4.5° (8%)
	TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 1.5° (3.3%) 16% of trail is from 4.5° to 16° (8% to 29%)
	TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 43 in (109 cm) MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 30 in (76 cm)
	TRAIL SURFACE: asphalt 100% of trail is PAVED OBSTRUCTIONS (inside caves): ROCKS to >18 inches , STEPS to > 2 feet, LOW CEILINGS
	WARNING: Access into caves requires descending a stairway or scrambling over rock piles. Some caves have low ceilings in places, so crouching and crawling may be required. Trail conditions may have changed since this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary by 10% or more.