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  • Basic Information

Basic Information

Welcome to Craters of the Moon

The park is open every day. Some park facilities and the loop road are closed during the winter. Visit Current Conditions and Operating Hours & Seasons for more information.

When the loop road is open to automobile traffic an entrance fee is charged. Find out more on the Fees and Passes page.

Permits & Reservations are required for some activities and facilities.

Pets are welcome in the campground and in parking lots and paved roads but not in the visitor center or on NPS Monument trails (with the exception of service animals). For the protection of your pet and park wildlife, pets must be kept on a leash at all times.

Basic Information in a variety of languages is available on the Brochures page.

 

Physical Address

Craters of the Moon National Monument
1266 Craters Loop Road
Arco, ID 83213

Directions

Visitor Center and Loop Drive are located 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles northeast of Carey, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls. Physical address is 1266 Craters Loop Road(Lat/Long: 43° 27.711'N/113° 33.7) Access to the main visitor use area is via a paved highway. Unpaved roads provide additional access to the BLM monument and NPS Preserve but should only be utilized by four wheel drive and high clearance vehicles.

Directions Details

Operating Hours & Seasons

Craters of the Moon National Preserve

Always open but roads may be impassable due to mud or snow during certain times of year. High clearance four-wheel drive highly recommended on BLM Monument roads.

Standard Hours

• Sunday: Open 24 hours
• Monday: Open 24 hours
• Tuesday: Open 24 hours
• Wednesday: Open 24 hours
• Thursday: Open 24 hours
• Friday: Open 24 hours
• Saturday: Open 24 hours

Park Entrance

Craters of the Moon National Monument

The scenic Loop Road is generally closed to motorized vehicles from late November through mid-April due to snow. The Loop Road is groomed for cross-country skiing in January and February.

Standard Hours

• Sunday: Open 24 hours
• Monday: Open 24 hours
• Tuesday: Open 24 hours
• Wednesday: Open 24 hours
• Thursday: Open 24 hours
• Friday: Open 24 hours
• Saturday: Open 24 hours

Additional Information View More

• Winter Loop Drive Closure:
• November 1 - April 15

Weather

Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. Intense summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 170 degrees Fahrenheit and air temperatures in the 90s. Drying winds are a daily occurence, especially in the afternoon, and may reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

NPS Monument Entrance Fee - Private Vehicle - $15.00

This per-vehicle fee covers all occupants of your vehicle for seven consecutive days and provides entrance into the NPS Monument.

NPS Monument Entrance Fee - Per Person / bicycle or foot - $7.00

This per-person fee provides entrance into the NPS Monument for seven consecutive days.

NPS Monument Entrance Fee - Motorcycle - $10.00

This motorcycle fee provides entrance into the NPS Monument for seven consecutive days.

Winter Recreation Access - $0.00

When the Loop Drive is closed by snow access is available by snowshoe, ski or foot only. There is no entrance fee during this time period.

Entrance Passes:

Craters Annual Pass - $30.00

This pass covers the entrance fees of the pass holder and up to three fellow travelers. It is valid for 365 days from date of purchase. Available in spring 2016.

Visitor Centers

Visitor Center

Start your visit here for maps, information, exhibits, presentations, restrooms and the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association bookstore. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (6 p.m. in summer).