Current Conditions - Craters of the Moon

Alerts

Winter Wonderland

Visit Craters in the Winter

 

 

Visitor Center and Bookstore Open Thursday - Monday

• The visitor center, bookstore, museum, and visitor center restrooms are open Thursday - Monday. Review the visitor center hours.
• Be prepared when you visit during the winter. The park is open 24 hours with limited access due to snow. You can access the park by skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking only. Vault toilets remain open along the Loop Road and are found at the Lava Flow Campground, Devils Orchard, and Tree Molds parking areas. Drinking water and flush toilets are only available inside the visitor center.
• Please check the local weather forecast before driving to the park.
• Snowshoes are available to borrow from the visitor center during business hours until 2:30 pm for a suggested donation of $5 per pair. All snowshoes must be returned to the visitor center no later than 3:30 pm.
• Passport stamps are available in the bookstore during business hours. You can also email the park, and we can mail you copies of the passport stamps.
• Information on hiking trails and other things to do can be found online and on the free National Park Service app. Cell service is very limited inside the park, so we recommend downloading the app and saving Craters of the Moon for offline use before you arrive.
• The full park film, Craters of the Moon: The Movie, is available online as well as other short videos on our multimedia page.

The Loop Road Is Groomed for Skiing and Snowshoeing

The Loop Road is closed to vehicles for the season and has been groomed for snowshoeing, skiing, and hiking only and no snow removal will take place at this time. Please use caution and come prepared. The Loop Road will be groomed weekly as conditions allow. Pets are not allowed beyond the parking lot at this time.

 

NPS Illustration / S Lacy

All Lava Tube Caves are Closed for the Season

All lava tube caves are closed for the season and typically reopen late May as conditions allow. When open, a free cave permit is required to enter the caves. Cave permits protect bats. Permits can only be obtained in person at the visitor center during business hours. The Annual, Senior, Access, and Military passes do not count as a cave permit.

Lava Flow Campground is Closed to Vehicles

The Lava Flow Campground is currently closed to vehicles and open to walk-in tent camping only. All sites are first come, first served. Please obtain a free camping permit at the visitor center during regular operating hours.The water is turned off for the season and comfort stations are closed, but vault toilets remain available. RV or car camping is not permitted outside of the campground.

 

Temporary Closures

Cave Closures During 2023

Buffalo Caves, located on the Broken Top Loop, is closed. In the Caves Trail area, Boy Scout Cave and Beauty Cave are closed. These caves are closed to protect bats and because of environmental conditions. Help protect bats by respecting closures.

North Crater Flow Trail is Closed During 2023

North Crater Flow Trail will not open in 2023. The 0.25 mile (0.4 km) long North Crater Flow Trail is closed due to construction activities which will result in an improved trail that is universally accessible. Thank you for your patience!

Planning Your Trip

Conditions can change rapidly this time of year. Check these sources before travelling to the park:

• Idaho Rebound (COVID-19) Plan
• Weather Forecast
• Live Smoke Map and Air Quality
• Highway Conditions
• Idaho Transportation Department Webcam This webcam provides a real-time view of U.S. Highway 20/26/93 with Big Cinder Butte in the distance. The National Park Service monument's entrance is located about 10 miles east of this view.

 

Recreate Responsibly

When recreating, please follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, and avoid crowding and high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

 

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