Entrance Fee
$20.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Robert Limbert Visitor Center: 9:00AM - 4:30PM
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About the Park
Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow.
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What to See & Do
Visit Craters in Winter
Tour a lava wonderland blanketed in snow. Winter visitors can enjoy skiing the groomed park road or venture into the park on snowshoes.
Hike Devils Orchard
Enjoy an easy, 0.5 mile walk through an open limber pine woodland.
Become a Craters Junior Ranger
Earn your Junior Ranger badge for Craters of the Moon while learning about the park by completing this fun activity book.
Visit the Spatter Cones
Take a short walk to view some of the park's mini-volcanoes up close and personal.
Explore a Cave
Explore Craters' dynamic underground world of lava tubes.
Stargazing at Craters of the Moon
See the night sky like never before! The natural darkness of Craters of the Moon lends to superior stargazing opportunities.
Visitor Centers
Robert Limbert Visitor Center
When open, stop by the visitor center for maps and the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association bookstore, and of course: your passport stamp!
Where to Stay
Lava Flow Campground
The Lava Flow Campground is a 42-site campground accessible by automobile from May through November depending on snow conditions. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some sites will accommodate large RVs, but no hookups are available.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Visitor Center and Loop Drive are located 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles northeast of Carey, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls. Physical address is 1266 Craters Loop Road(Lat/Long: 43° 27.711'N/113° 33.7) Access to the main visitor use area is via a paved highway. Unpaved roads provide additional access to the BLM monument and NPS Preserve but should only be utilized by four wheel drive and high clearance vehicles.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$20.00This per-vehicle fee applies to private, non-commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. The fee covers the driver and any passengers.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$15.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.
Entrance - Per Person
$10.00This per-person fee provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. Youth age 15 and under are free.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
$0.00Classes or groups from accredited academic institutions may apply for a fee waiver ahead of their visit by contacting the park. Academic fee waivers are not granted automatically. Educational groups must apply and meet the two criteria to receive a fee waiver: 1) eligibility and 2) educational purpose and relevance of park resources or facilities. Groups that choose to not make a reservation or apply for an academic fee waiver will be charged the standard entrance fee per vehicle.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$35.00Annual entrance pass for Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve only. Valid for one year through the month of purchase. This pass can be purchased at the park entrance station.
Operating Hours
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
The Loop Road is typically open from mid April through late November as conditions allow.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
Small purple flowers and larger white flowers with reddish stems grow out of black volcanic rock
The Craters entrance sign sits below a starry night sky, with the milky way brightly-lit.
A figure stands inside a large lava tube on a pile of rubble, lit by a round opening overhead.
A paved trail winds up around the side of a spatter cone.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
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