Current Conditions - Craters of the Moon

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 Open at 25% Capacity

• Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial or high transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the visitor center and bookstore are currently limited to 25% capacity. The bookstore will be closed starting October 25 and re-open early January.
• Restrooms remain open at the visitor center and along the Loop Road at the Devil's Orchard, Tree Molds, and Caves parking areas.
• Cave permits are required to enter any cave at Craters of the Moon. Free permits will be available from rangers at the visitor center and at the park entrance station.
• Passport stamps will be available in the bookstore and from rangers at the visitor center.
• 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 Open

The Loop Road is open to vehicles.

Lava Flow Campground is Open

The Lava Flow Campground is open. Campsites are available on a first come-first served basis only. Water is turned off for the season.

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

The Four Caves in the Cave Area are Open

The following lava tube caves are open: Indian Tunnel, Dew Drop Cave, Boy Scout Cave, and Beauty Cave. All are located at the Cave Area (stop 7 on the brochure map). A free permit is required to enter the caves. Permits can only be obtained in person at the park entrance station and information tent in front of the 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 2021

Buffalo Caves, located along the Broken Top Loop, will remain closed through 2021.

North Crater Flow Trail is Closed through 2021

North Crater Flow Trail will not open in 2021. 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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