Camping

The Lava Flow Campground offers visitors the unique experience of camping within one of the youngest lava flows in the park.

NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank

 

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Lava Flow Campground

As unique as its name, campsites are surrounded by a young lava flow. The campground is located near the visitor center and popular trails.

Availability

The road and campground closures are weather dependent. Please check the Current Conditions page for updates. The Lava Flow campground generally closes for vehicle access when the Loop Road closes in late November. It reopens to vehicles in April or May when the Loop Road opens. You may still hike into the Lava Flow Campground from the visitor center and snow camp during the winter months.

Facilities

• Water and flush toilets are seasonally available.
• Vault toilets located near the entrance station are open year-round.

• Each site has a charcoal grill and picnic table.

Regulations

• To claim a campsite, please leave an item in your desired campsite and register for your site at the automated fee machine as soon as possible. Place receipt in box on campsite post.

• Pay with a credit card (no cash or checks are accepted).

• No wood fires are permitted. Charcoal fires are permitted in the grills.

• Campsites are limited to a maximum of 8 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles (unless otherwise posted).

• All vehicles must always remain on paved roads.
• Car camping is not allowed at the visitor center or anywhere off the Loop Road. Walk-in snow camping is seasonally permitted at the campground as well as at the Devil's Orchard, Caves Area, and Tree Molds parking lots.

 

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Campground Status Information

Basic Information

Campground Features

Amenities

Fire/Stove Policy

Toilet Types

Shower Types

Operating Hours & Seasons

Description

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

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Weather

Fees

Contact Information & Directions

Email Address

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Accessibility Information

 

Group Camping Area

NPS Photo

Group Campground

The group campground is located about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) up a gravel road on the north side of U.S. Highway 20/26/93 at the base of Sunset Cone, a 12,000-year-old cinder cone. A grove of Douglas fir trees grows on the shady north side of the volcano surrounding the group campground. This secluded camping area is the perfect spot for organized groups. It is available by reservation only for groups of up to 30 people for tent camping.

2022 Group Campground Season

May 26 to September 30

Details

Camping area for larger groups (maximum 30 people). Available by reservations only. Tent camping only, no RVs.

Cost

$30 per night and credit card only

Facilities

• Picnic tables

• Drinking water

• Vault restroom

• Campfire ring and charcoal grill. Campfire restrictions may be put in place as fire danger changes. Please contact the park for current conditions and restrictions.

• The campground has an accessible picnic table and vault toilet, but paths to these are not fully accessible for people with mobility impairments.

Regulations

• Available by reservation only through Recreation.gov.

• Check in at visitor center during business hours in order to gain access to this gated area
• During periods of elevated fire danger, open fires will be restricted or prohibited in accordance with the park’s fire management plan and will remain in place for the remainder of the season. Notice of any fire restrictions will be posted at the visitor center, entrance station, and other major public uses areas. Further information can be found in the superintendent's compendium.
• No wood gathering is permitted.
• Tent camping only, no RVs. Set up tents on bare soil, not on vegetation.

• Obtain a day-use permit to hike or bike beyond the group campground. No access is permitted beyond the Group Campground during hunting and pronghorn migration periods: February 25 - April 7 and September 25 - November 15.

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Backcountry camping is available with a permit for the adventurous hiker.

NPS Photo

Wilderness and Backcountry Camping

Camping is also permitted in the Craters of the Moon Wilderness and the NPS Preserve and BLM Monument for those who are properly outfitted. Those interested must obtain a free backcountry permit from the visitor center.

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Additional Camping Near Craters

Many more campgrounds and RV parks are located on the way to or from Craters. Learn more about camping near Craters of the Moon.