Rate Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Monument & Preserve
Operating Hours & Seasons
Craters of the Moon National Preserve
Always open but roads may be impassable due to mud or snow during certain times of year. High clearance four-wheel drive highly recommended on BLM Monument roads.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Park Entrance
Craters of the Moon National Monument
The scenic Loop Road is generally closed to motorized vehicles from late November through mid-April due to snow. The Loop Road is groomed for cross-country skiing in January and February.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Additional Information View More
- Winter Loop Drive Closure:
- November 1 – April 15
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $15.00 – NPS Monument Entrance Fee – Private Vehicle
This per-vehicle fee covers all occupants of your vehicle for seven consecutive days and provides entrance into the NPS Monument.
- $7.00 – NPS Monument Entrance Fee – Per Person / bicycle or foot
This per-person fee provides entrance into the NPS Monument for seven consecutive days.
- $10.00 – NPS Monument Entrance Fee – Motorcycle
This motorcycle fee provides entrance into the NPS Monument for seven consecutive days.
- $0.00 – Winter Recreation Access
When the Loop Drive is closed by snow access is available by snowshoe, ski or foot only. There is no entrance fee during this time period.
Entrance Passes:
- $30.00 – Craters Annual Pass
This pass covers the entrance fees of the pass holder and up to three fellow travelers. It is valid for 365 days from date of purchase. Available in spring 2016.
About
This per-vehicle fee covers all occupants of your vehicle for seven consecutive days and provides entrance into the NPS Monument.
This per-person fee provides entrance into the NPS Monument for seven consecutive days.
This motorcycle fee provides entrance into the NPS Monument for seven consecutive days.
When the Loop Drive is closed by snow access is available by snowshoe, ski or foot only. There is no entrance fee during this time period.
This pass covers the entrance fees of the pass holder and up to three fellow travelers. It is valid for 365 days from date of purchase. Available in spring 2016.
A Violent Past, Calm Present, and Uncertain Future…
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…
Directions
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.
Visitor Centers
Visitor Center
Start your visit here for maps, information, exhibits, presentations, restrooms and the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association bookstore. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (6 p.m. in summer).
Weather
Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. Intense summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 170 degrees Fahrenheit and air temperatures in the 90s. Drying winds are a daily occurence, especially in the afternoon, and may reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.
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