Wilderness Area Craters Of The Moon National park
Wilderness Area Craters Of The Moon National
Reasons to Visit:
1. Geological Marvel: Craters of the Moon showcases a vast lava field encompassing over 750,000 acres. The area is a testament to the power of volcanic activity and offers visitors the opportunity to witness stunning volcanic formations, lava tubes, and cones.
2. Unique Flora and Fauna: Despite its harsh conditions, the area hosts a diverse range of plant and animal species that have adapted to survive in this volcanic environment. Rare wildflowers, sagebrush, and even pronghorn antelope can be found in this wilderness.
3. Outdoor Activities: The wilderness area offers various recreational activities for visitors. Hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks, allow exploration of the lava formations and caves. Camping, stargazing, birdwatching, and photography are also popular pursuits.
Points of Interest:
1. Inferno Cone: A prominent volcanic cone that can be hiked to the top, offering panoramic views of the surrounding lava fields.
2. Cave Exploration: Several lava tubes exist within the area, providing opportunities for spelunking and exploration. Indian Tunnel, Boy Scout Cave, and Dewdrop Cave are noteworthy examples.
3. Crater Rim Drive: A scenic 7-mile loop road that takes visitors through the heart of the monument, providing access to several overlooks and access points for short hikes.
Interesting Facts:
1. The volcanic activity in this area occurred relatively recently, between 15,000 and 2,000 years ago. The most recent eruptions took place around 2,100 years ago.
2. NASA astronauts visited Craters of the Moon in the 1960s to train for future moon missions due to the area's resemblance to the moon's surface.
3. The monument was established in 1924 and later expanded to its current size in 2000.
Best Time to Visit:
The ideal time to visit the Craters of the Moon National Wilderness Area is during the summer months, from June to September. During this period, the weather is generally mild, making hiking and camping enjoyable. Spring and fall seasons can also provide favorable conditions, with fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures.
Sources:
- National Park Service: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
- Travel Idaho: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
- Outdoor Project: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Wilderness Area Craters Of The Moon National, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcclendon Spring | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Lava Flow - Craters Of The Moon National Mon | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Lava Flow Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Fish Creek Reservoir | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Wilderness Area Craters Of The Moon National as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Wilderness Area Craters Of The Moon National
What can I do at Wilderness Area Craters Of The Moon National?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Wilderness Area Craters Of The Moon National?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Wilderness Area Craters Of The Moon National.