Craters of the Moon
Big Cinder Cone
© National Park Service
If you've always wanted to walk on the moon, forget about becoming an astronaut because you can do it in Idaho on the way to Yellowstone National Park. Whether you have ten minutes or three hours to spare, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a must if you are heading east from Sun Valley or west from Idaho Falls. Surrounded by sagebrush grasslands it covers 53,120 acres of the northern Snake River Plain, Craters of the Moon was formed from a 60 mile long crack in the crust of the earth along the Great Rift. Lava has flowed from this crack creating about 25 cinder and spatter cones, lava tubes, and caves until as soon as 2100 years ago. Apollo 14 astronauts were actually sent to the monument in 1969 to study the type of surfaces they would be dealing with when they traveled to the moon.
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With hotels in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Driggs, travelers who fly into IF airport have lots to choose from when visiting Craters of the Moon, Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
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There are two types of lava in the preserve. Aa Lava looks rough, jagged and sharp. Pahoehoe lava has layers and folds because it had a more fluid consistency before hardening. Craters of the Moon is the largest of young basaltic lava fields in the lower 48 states. Because of the alignment of cinder cones geologists have determined that the Great Rift also runs underneath lava fields that exist further south, spanning a total of 62 miles.
The seven mile loop drive in this secluded preserve weaves around and through these rough and jagged igneous features, leading you on a brief tour. There are many opportunities to pull over and take in the view or go on one of the many paved trails. Trail lengths on the monument vary from less than 1 mile to 7 miles and a mile loop is wheelchair accessible. Interpretive signs line the trails, which make the experience both educational and interactive.
The visitor center is also worth a visit as it provides an overview of the natural history of the area and explains the difference in the types of lava you see on the monument and has a collection of books on its geology. Visitor hours are 8 to 4:30pm daily.
Accommodations and food can be found an easy 20 miles northeast of Craters of the Moon in the town of Arco, the first city lighted entirely by nuclear energy. If you would like to be closer to the monument the on-site campground is open spring, summer, and fall. Craters of the Moon is located about 90 miles east of Idaho Falls, ID and 90 miles north of Twin Falls, ID.
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