Skip to content
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Arco, ID

Photo: BroMcjoe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & OutdoorsOutdoor AdventureIconicFamily Favorite

Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

Drive a 7-mile loop through black lava fields, climb cinder cones and walk into lava tube caves.

1266 Craters Loop Rd · Arco, ID

About Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

This monument covers three lava fields along Idaho's Great Rift, with more than 25 volcanic cones and lava flows that range from about 15,000 to 2,000 years old. The 7-mile Loop Road leads to trails, caves and scenic overlooks, and in summer the park suggests hiking in the morning and exploring the cool lava tubes in the afternoon. Look for tree molds, cavities left where lava burned trees. In winter the closed road becomes a route for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

  • #national monument
  • #lava fields
  • #lava tubes
  • #scenic drive
  • #hiking

Printable maps

What's around here?

The closest stops to Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Ryan's Mountain Rentals

    $50+

    Family-run UTV and RZR rental outfitter near Sun Valley for backcountry trail rides.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    35 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Iconic

    Sun Valley Resort

    No admission fee

    Ski Bald Mountain's 3,400 vertical feet in winter, then golf, hike, bike and ride horses in summer.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    43 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums

    Wood River Museum of History and Culture

    No admission fee

    A Ketchum museum run by The Community Library that presents exhibits on central Idaho's regional history.

    43 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Boulder Mountain Clayworks

    No admission fee

    Nonprofit ceramics studio and gallery in Ketchum offering pottery classes and workshops for all ages.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    43 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Sturtevants

    $25–$50

    Family-owned bike and ski shop in Ketchum renting mountain bikes, e-bikes, and gravel bikes for exploring the Sun Valley area.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    43 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    The Butterfly Haven

    Under $25

    Idaho's largest butterfly house, a converted greenhouse with dozens of native butterfly species and a nature garden.

    54 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions