Is Craters Of The Moon Worth Visiting? (2024)
Have you ever wondered if Craters of the Moon worth visiting? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is a small park in Southeastern Idaho that is unlike any other in the US.
It’s a great stop for a half day visit on a road trip or to stay overnight and camp in a tent or RV.
When we visited, it was part of a larger road trip around many of the national parks in the Western US.
We had just come a weekend at Yellowstone and Grand Teton before continuing our trip to Great Basin National Park.
You can check out this video on our YouTube Channel highlighting our day at Craters of the Moon.
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Is Craters Of The Moon Worth Visiting?
Craters of the Moon is definitely worth visiting.
The park is home to a variety of volcanic features, including lava flows, cinder cones, spatter cones, and lava tubes.
It is also a popular spot for stargazing, as the park is far from any major cities and has very little light pollution.
Overall, Craters of the Moon is a unique and fascinating place to visit.
Interested in a guided full day tour of Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve?
Craters of the Moon Half Day Itinerary
This park was one of the coolest places we’ve ever been.
It is so underrated.
The best way to see the whole park is to take the scenic loop drive.
Along the loop are several pull out spots with short trails.
In total there are 7 stops along the loop.
1. Devil’s Orchard Trail
We stopped at Devil’s Orchard Trail first which was a super cool paved loop.
Everything in Craters of the Moon looks straight out of Sci-Fi movies.
Even President Calvin Coolidge thought the scenery was so “weird” that he just had to add it to the National Park Service in 1924.
They have a small campground that I wish we would’ve had the time to camp in.
I highly recommend checking this place out.
2. Spatter Cones
If you follow this trail up to the crater you can see the vents in this miniature volcano.
It’s so small because it has been eroding for years.
3. Inferno Cone
Inferno Cone was our next stop on the loop.
It was basically like hiking up the side of a volcano.
The rocks looked so cool.
They were very light and practically hollow, but very porous and shiny.
They didn’t even look real.
4. Stop At The Visitors Center
You can do this first or last depending on the hours that the visitor center is open.
Here you can get a park map, talk to park rangers, get a souvenir, and get a stamp from this National Park service site.
Where To Stay When Visiting Craters Of The Moon
Weather permitted, you can camp at Lava Flow Campground inside Craters of the Moon.
This is perfect if you want to enjoy the spectacular stargazing in this area.
There’s tent camping spots and RV camping spots.
It will be open depending on weather throughout the year, so just check the site in advance to make sure.
The prices vary throughout the year from being completely free to being as much as $15 a night.
Resources For Planning Your Trip To Craters of the Moon
If you need help planning your trip to Craters of the Moon, check out our Tips For Planning A Trip To Anywhere (A Step-By-Step Guide).
Also, read our Best Tips For Staying Safe When Traveling During Extreme Weather if you’re traveling during potential heat in the Summer or the snow in Winter.
Check out our Best Tips For Staying Well While You Travel if you’re prone to getting colds or allergies when you travel or have other ailments.
Lastly, if you’re traveling on a budget, read up on our Best Tips For Traveling On A Budget: Your Guide To Planning An Affordable Trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Craters Of The Moon
These are the most frequently asked questions we get about visiting Craters of the Moon.
✔️ How Long Should I Spend At Craters Of The Moon?
The amount of time you need to spend at Craters of the Moon depends on how much you want to see and do.
If you are just doing a quick drive-through, you can probably see the highlights in a few hours.
However, if you want to hike, explore the lava tubes, and stargaze, you will need to plan for a full day or more.
✔️ What Is Special About Craters Of The Moon?
Craters of the Moon is one of the largest lava fields in the US.
The park is home to a variety of volcanic features, including lava flows, cinder cones, spatter cones, and lava tubes.
The park is located in a remote area, which means there is very little light pollution.
This makes it a great place for stargazing.
The park is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and photographers.
Here are some of the unique features of Craters of the Moon.
The Blue Dragon Flow: This lava flow is named for its striking blue color, which is caused by the presence of iron oxide.
The Tree Molds: These are the impressions of trees that were buried by lava flows.
They provide a glimpse into what the landscape of Craters of the Moon looked like before it was covered in lava.
The Inferno Cone: This cinder cone is one of the tallest in the park.
It offers stunning views of the surrounding lava fields.
The Indian Tunnel: This lava tube is one of the longest and most accessible in the park.
It is a popular spot for hiking and exploring.
✔️ When Should I Visit Craters Of The Moon?
The best time to visit Craters of the Moon is during the spring (April-May) or fall (September-October).
The weather is mild during these times, and the park is less crowded.
However, you can visit Craters of the Moon year-round.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a time to visit:
Weather: The weather in Craters of the Moon can be unpredictable.
It can be hot and sunny in the summer, and cold and snowy in the winter.
Crowds: Craters of the Moon is less crowded during the spring and fall than in the summer.
If you want to avoid the crowds, these are the best times to visit.
Some activities, such as stargazing, are best enjoyed during the spring and fall when the nights are clear.
More National Monuments Worth Visiting
While National Parks tend to get all of the attention, the lesser known National Monuments are some hidden gems you should definitely add to your travel bucket list.
Here are some of our favorites.
⛺️ Little Bighorn Battlefield
The Little Bighorn Battlefield is in a remote area outside of Billings, Montana, not too far from Yellowstone either, just in the opposite direction.
⛺️ Devils Tower
Devils Tower is just a bit Southeast of Little Bighorn, in Wyoming.
Camping at the foot of it in the KOA campground is a fun experience you must add onto your trip here.
⛺️ Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument is a fun park in eastern Utah.
You’ll take a tram ride up to the quarry where you can see hundreds of dinosaur fossils up close where they were originally found.
More Fun National Parks To Visit Out West
We’ve visited well over half of the National Parks in the US already and these are the best ones you could reasonably add to a road trip itinerary out West since these are all in states that neighbor Idaho.
Wyoming:
📍 Grand Teton National Park One Day Itinerary
📍 Yellowstone National Park One Day Itinerary
Utah:
📍The Best Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Two Day Itinerary
📍Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks One Day Itinerary
📍Hiking The Narrows At Zion National Park: Ultimate Guide
📍The Best Zion National Park One Day Summer Itinerary
📍The Best Zion National Park One Day Winter Itinerary
Oregon:
Nevada:
📍 Great Basin National Park One Day Itinerary
For more tips for visiting National Parks and Monuments around the US, read our guide on How To Plan A National Park Road Trip + What Parks To Visit.
Conclusion: Is Craters Of The Moon Worth Visiting?
If you’ve been wondering, “is Craters of the Moon worth visiting?”, well now you know that it definitely is!
