Craters Of The Moon Idaho National Park
My husband and I visited the Craters of the Moon Idaho National Park this year in June. While traveling from Tween Falls, Idaho, we follow the highway 20. Suddenly we noticed that the nice green fields and hills along the Snake river changed without notice into a sea of dark/black ground and rocks!
Dark ground at the Craters of the Moon, as seen from the road
I have never seen something like this before and intrigued, I looked at my husband. He smiled. He knew about the existence of this place but admitted that has never seen it before. So the surprise was some how for both of us 🙂 As we were not in a hurry we decided to visit it and I’m glad we did.
Craters Of The Moon Idaho National Park
Craters of the Moon sign on highway 20
There is a mix of old and new petrified lava here. At the Visitor Center which is not far from the sign, we learned the oldest known eruption was 15,000 years ago and it’s the part that’s covered with vegetation. The most recent eruption occurred 2,000 years ago – that area is the darkest one. Geologists say that future events may likely happen here.
The Visitor Center
The Visitor Center at the Craters of the Moon Idaho National Park is situated 18 miles Southwest of Arco and 20 miles North from Twin Falls, on US 20/26/93.
Craters of the Moon Directions
Visitor Center of the Craters of the Moon National Monument
At the Visitor Center you can have a lot of information and details related to this area, including movies, exhibitions and a bookstore, and it’s open year-round.
Logging and Facilities at Craters Of The Moon Idaho National Park
For who wants to camp here, there are campground facilities with water, restrooms and picnic areas (no hookups), with no reservations. Several other camping areas are available in the park, but they have water-less restrooms. Here you can find more info about the Fees, Passes, Hours of Operation and more.
Tip: As a senior US citizen, my husband has a pass for all the national Parks in US, so we didn’t have to pay any entrance fee.
Crater of the Moon Pictures
Volcanic Rocks thrown up by the force of the eruption
Huge boulder of dark petrified lava in the middle of the field
There is not too much vegetation there (I’m wondering why…), other than some sagebrush, moss and a few colorful flowers, but the sightseeing is beautiful
Flowers at the Craters of the Moon
Sightseeing at the Craters of the Moon
We explored the zone for a couple of hours, but the whole area is a 750,000 acres of lava formed landscape. You may need more than one day to visit it all. Warning: There are many miles of underdeveloped rugged dirt and roads; If you have a a high 4-wheel-drive vehicle you are good.
The lava formations are quite impressive:
People climbing a lava/ash formatted hill
Lava formatted hill covered by some small vegetation
Hills of lava formed after the eruptions
Fields covered by lava at the Craters of the Moon
We went up to one of the craters. The deep hole into the volcano looks scary, but you don’t have to worry! The fence that surrounds it makes it safe, so no danger to approach the edge.
People looking into the volcano crater hole
The upper edges of the crater
More lava formations at the Craters of the Moon:
Pieces of petrified lava as they had frowned from the crater
Solidified lava on the walls of the crater
Amazing place, and wonderful views in your photos!
Thank you Irene 🙂
Looks like an memorable place to visit. Life can grow in the most inhospitable places!
Very impressive photos!
Thank you so much Ilka! 🙂
Gorgeous photos! Thank you for sharing! I’ve never been and now would like to visit,
Thank you Jordan. We only spent a few hours, but there is more to see and especially to photograph… 🙂
Very interesting. I never knew that existed. I wonder why vegetation will not grow, look at Hawaii and those are active volcanoes. Great pictures.
Thank you! I never knew either, until we drove by, and… 🙂
Patterns there are – great gallery!