Camping

Tents are pitched among dark lava rocks, sagebrush, and a few pine trees
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

 
 

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 November. It reopens to vehicles in April or May when the Loop Road opens. Visitors may hike into the Lava Flow Campground from the visitor center and snow camp during the winter months. A free permit from the visitor center is required to snow camp.

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.
  • Camping is not allowed at the visitor center or at any parking areas along the Loop Road.
  • Walk-in snow camping is seasonally permitted at the campground as well as at the Devils Orchard and Tree Molds parking lots.
 
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Basic Information

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Accessibility Information
 
an orange tent behind a dark boulder against a gentle slope covered with sagebrush and a few pine trees at sunset
Backcountry camping is available with a permit for the adventurous hiker.

NPS Photo

Snow Camping

During the winter months, walk-in snow camping is permitted in the Lava Flow Campground, Devils Orchard parking area, and Tree Molds parking area. A free permit is required from the visitor center to ensure visitor safety and monitor usage statistics.

The spur road out to Tree Molds is not groomed. All snow camping locations have vault toilets available year-round, but snow drifts may prevent access. Bring a shovel with you when snow camping. Please remember to leave no trace and pack out all waste with you.

Car or RV camping is not permitted at the visitor center.

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.

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.

Dispersed camping is not permitted at the visitor center or along the Loop Road. Several free campgrounds managed by the Bureau of Land Management are available west of the park. The nearest are Silver Creek and Fish Creek Reservoir.

There are many options for camping on public lands in southern Idaho including:

Last updated: April 10, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
1266 Craters Loop Road
P.O. Box 29
Arco, ID 83213

Phone:

208 527-1300

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