Camping

Lava Flow Campground

NPS / 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

Campground opened on May 30. Campground generally closes when the Loop Road closes in late November.

(Road and campground closures are weather dependent. Check the Current Conditions page for updates.)

Details

42 sites are available on a first come-first served basis; no reservations are accepted.

Cost

$15 per site during the main season and $8 per site when water is not turned on to the campground. The cost is half-price with Senior or Access passes. Pay with a credit card at any time on the automated fee machine located near the campground entrance. No fee charged during the very late and early seasons (November & April).

Facilities

• water (in season)

• restrooms (only a vault toilet is currently available)

• charcoal grills

• picnic tables

• Sites #34, 35, 42 & 3 are fully accessible. Site #34 contains an electrical outlet for use by those with medical needs.

• There are no hookups, showers, or waste water dump stations. Large RVs and trailers can be accommodated in a limited number of sites.

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.

• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (no generators running, loud music, etc.)

• Please help decrease the amount of waste that we send to our local landfill by utilizing the recycling center located in the campground.

• Our water supply is inadequate for filling water tanks. You are welcome to fill jugs but please fill RV tanks elsewhere.

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

• All vehicles must remain on paved roads at all times.
  

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Group Camping Area

Group Campground

Nestled behind Sunset Cinder Cone about .75 miles up a gravel road on the north side of U.S. Highway 20/26/93, this is a great spot for group camping!

Availability

May 26 – September 30

Details

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

Cost

$30 per group (credit card only through Recreation.gov)

Facilities

• picnic tables

• drinking water

• vault restroom

• campfire ring and charcoal grill

• 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.

• No wood gathering is permitted. Please bring in your own campfire wood.

• 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 (Sept. 25 – Nov. 15 and Feb. 25 – April 7)
  

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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. 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.

Explore the link for additional information: Camping Near Craters of the Moon