Current Conditions - Craters of the Moon

Alerts

The National Park Service is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, access to Craters of the Moon is as follows:

Visitor Center and Bookstore are Open Wednesday - Sunday

• The visitor center, bookstore, and visitor center restrooms are open Wednesday - Sunday from 9:00am - 4:30pm.
• Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial or high transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the visitor center and bookstore will be limited to 25% capacity when open. All visitors are required to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
• Snowshoes are available to borrow from the visitor center Wednesday - Sunday from 9:00am - 2:00pm for a suggested donation of $5 per pair. Guided snowshoe hikes will not be offered this season.
• Vault toilets remain open along the Loop Road at the Devil's Orchard, Tree Molds, and Caves parking areas.
• Passport stamps will be available in the bookstore during business hours.
• Information on 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.
• Although the museum and theater are currently closed, Craters of the Moon: The Movie! is available online.

The Loop Road is Closed

The Loop Road is currently closed to automobiles for the winter season. The Loop Road and trails (excluding the Caves Area and all caves) are open 24-hours per day and accessible by hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing only. Pets are not allowed on the Loop Road during the winter season.

Lava Flow Campground is Closed to Drive-in Camping

The Lava Flow Campground is open to walk-in camping. A free permit is required and available at the visitor center. Campsites are available on a first come-first served basis only. Water is turned off for the season. Vault toilets remain available. RV or car camping is not permitted in the visitor center parking lot.

Group Campground is Closed
The Group Campground is closed for the season and is available by reservation only through Recreation.gov.

All Caves are Closed for the Season

Indian Tunnel, Dew Drop Cave, Boy Scout Cave, and Beauty Cave are closed for the winter season. All are located at the Cave Area (stop 7 on the brochure map). When open, a free permit is required to enter the caves. Permits can only be obtained in person at the park entrance station and visitor center during business hours. The Annual, Senior, Access, and Military passes do not count as a cave permit.

Temporary Closures

Buffalo Caves are Closed through 2022

Buffalo Caves, located along the Broken Top Loop, will remain closed through 2022.

North Crater Flow Trail is Closed through 2022

North Crater Flow Trail will not open in 2022. 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!

 

Recreate Responsibility

While the listed areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased, and services may be limited. 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 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.

 

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
• 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.

 

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