National Monument & Preserve
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CRATERS of the MOON National Monument & Preserve |
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Craters of the Moon Wilderness Area
Designated in 1970, the Craters of the Moon National Wilderness Area was one of the first units in the National Wilderness Preservation System administered by the National Park Service. The 43,243 acre Wilderness includes over 80% of Craters of the Moon National Monument. Both the Monument and Wilderness Area lay at the north end of the 409,600 acre Craters of the Moon Lava Field.
The Wilderness Area includes a portion of Idaho’s Great Rift which produced recent volcanism in the form of basaltic lava flows, cinder cones, fissure cracks, and lava tube caves. Much of the area is sparsely vegetated although older lava flows and cinder gardens support sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and limber pine. Even prior to establishment of the Monument in 1924, the rugged terrain and lack of surface water had limited livestock grazing and other uses. The area remains in near pristine wilderness condition today with few signs of previous human occupation.
What is Wilderness?
 Robert Limbert was the first person to explore and photograph the wilderness area during the 1920s. |
The word "wilderness" has long been used to describe any piece of remote, rugged and undeveloped land. However, since passage of the 1964 Wilderness Act, the word has been legally defined as Federal land designated by Congress as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
The Wilderness Act states "A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this Act an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least five thousand acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.
Federal lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management have also been designated as wilderness. While National Park Service lands were already protected from many forms of development and commercial use, wilderness designation goes one step further and prohibits the roads, motorized vehicles, and man-made structures which are commonly provided to facilitate visitor enjoyment in National Parks.
Why Wilderness?
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The purpose of wilderness according to the Wilderness Act is:
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What You Need to Know if You Plan to Visit the Craters of the Moon Wilderness
Craters of the Moon Wilderness Area remains a roadless and largely trailless area which visitors must accept on its own terms. Here visitors are responsible for their own safety and must be prepared to take care of themselves. The land has a stark beauty but at times can be hostile. Covered by deep snow in winter, the area is without surface water during the heat of the summer. The dark surface of lava rock heats up well over 100 degrees in the mid-day sun. Drinking water must be carried and in mid-summer one to two gallons per person per day is needed.
Paperwork — A free Wilderness permit is required for all overnight trips into the Wilderness. Permits are available at the Visitor Center (call for hours). Topographic maps of the Wilderness are available at the Visitor Center.
Access to the Wilderness — Most wilderness trips begin from the Tree Molds Trailhead on the Scenic Loop Drive. During winter (mid-November to mid-April) the Scenic Loop Drive is closed to vehicles by snow.
Trails — Both the Tree Molds Trail and the Wilderness Trail are accessed from this location. Most wilderness visitors hike the Wilderness Trail (an old jeep road) three miles into Echo Crater. The trail continues beyond Echo Crater but becomes increasingly faint and difficult to follow. Wilderness trails receive no maintenance and have no signs. Its best to obtain a detailed topographic map at the Monument’s Visitor Center for any trip. Cross-country travel is also possible but many areas are covered by miles of ankle-twisting lava flows.
Pack and Saddle Stock — Limited to day trips in parties of 12 or less on the Wilderness Trail. A special use permit is required. Contact the Park Superintendent or Chief Ranger for further information.
Prohibited! — Wood fires, pets, bicycles, and any type of motorized equipment.
Camping — Backcountry camping is restricted to the designated wilderness area. Most visitors find Echo Crater to be an excellent campsite. In the winter months, when the loop drive is closed by snow, camping is also permitted at the Broken Top Trailhead (Tree Molds Parking Area). Permits are required for all overnight stays.
Leave No Trace — Take these simple steps and leave the wilderness as pristine as you found it.
PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE
- Obtain maps and current information on weather conditions.
- Repackage food in reusable containers.
CAMP AND TRAVEL ON DURABLE SURFACES
- The surface of many lava flows is brittle and easily broken by foot traffic. Where trails exist, stay on them.
- Visit in small groups of 12 or less.
PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT
- Pack out everything you bring in back out with you.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations securely.
PROPERLY DISPOSE OF WHAT YOU CAN'T PACK OUT
- Deposit human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from camp and trails. Cover the cathole when finished.
- Use toilet paper or wipes sparingly. Pack out in resealable plastic bags.
LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND
- Leave plants, animals, rocks and historical artifacts as you find them.
- Good campsites are found not made. Do not build structures or dig trenches.
CAMPFIRES
- Wood fires are prohibited. Carry a lightweight portable stove for cooking. Enjoy a candle lantern instead of a campfire.
Designation and administration of all wilderness areas is guided by the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
For more information, please visit these wilderness-related links: