• View of the Great Rift

    Craters Of The Moon

    National Monument & Preserve Idaho

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  • All roads and facilities are open

    The Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Obtain a permit before entering any authorized cave.

Your Safety

Before you Step Off the Trail...

Please consider that these lava flows and features are thousands of years old and easily damaged by off-trail travel. In addition, park regulations prohibit off trail travel around the North Crater Flow and Spatter Cones areas (see maps on trailhead signs to identify specific closure areas).

You are also quite fragile and easily damaged by sharp and abrasive lava rock! Taking a fall will almost certainly result in cuts and scrapes. When hiking on trails we encourage you to slow down and use caution. Sturdy shoes (no sandals) and long pants are highly recommended. When exploring caves a hat or helmet for head protection and a flashlight are a must. Thank you for helping to protect your Monument and yourself!

 
stay on trail
 
Weather and Safe Travel Tips


Extreme cold in the winter and extreme heat in the summer are the rule at Craters of the Moon. Snow is common in winter and lightning can be a danger on the exposed lava fields in spring and summer. Strong winds can and do blow at any time of year. Come prepared for whichever season you choose to visit.

During the summer the black lava captures and radiates the heat of the intense summer sun. An afternoon without steady wind is a rarity. Be prepared! Wear sun screen and a hat and carry plenty of water. Fill your water bottles before leaving the visitor center, as there is no running water along the Loop Drive, nor is there surface water in the wilderness. For wilderness travel, carry at least one gallon of water per person per day. The lava surface is uneven and abrasive, so wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. Cuts and abrasions from falling on the lava are the most common injuries in the park.


Cave Safety

The caves are undeveloped and contain many hazards. There is no artificial lighting, nor are there any paved trails. The floors are uneven and possibly icy; ceilings may be low with sharp stalactites.

  1. Take at least one dependable source of light for short trips, three for extended exploration. Only Indian Tunnel may be visited without a flashlight.

  2. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Move slowly and watch for obstacles.

  3. Wear a helmet for protection against low ceilings. If you do not have a helmet, a hat may offer limited protection.

  4. Do not enter the cave alone. Help can be a long time in coming.

  5. Areas where specific hazards such as loose rock exist have been marked and are closed to entry.


 

Safe travel on backcountry roads...

Did You Know?

Alan Shepard on the moon

In 1969 Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, Joe Engle and Eugene Cernan visited Craters of the Moon. They explored the lava landscape in order to learn the basics of volcanic geology in preparation for future trips to the moon.