I visited Craters of the Moon in June of 2021. At this point, I had been on the road for 5 months. The process of reserving a campsite, getting to locations, setting up, exploring, and taking camp down, had become routine. Or so I thought. This was yet another different experience. And with it came the stress and exhilaration of doing something new.
A campsite that feels like home
A stop at Craters of the Moon was part of a loop from Big Sky, Montana to Crater Lake up to Olympic National Park, and back to Big Sky. It was going to take 4-5 weeks to do everything that I had planned along the route.
Craters of the Moon campsites are first come first serve. That always makes me anxious. Especially in the summer and not being familiar with the area. Thanks to all of the other great campsite apps, I found a campground in the Sawtooth Forest. It was about a 90-minute drive from Craters of the Moon, but I’d come to learn that finding a site, staying for a few days, and driving an hour or two to visit parks and trails was well worth it. It was always nice to feel like the campsite was a home, not a pitstop.
Set out early
On the day I designated for Craters of the Moon, I set out very early. The summer heat was sweltering, and from the pictures, I knew I was going to do better to get going early.
The Visitor Center and Loop Road
When you arrive at Craters of the Moon, the Visitor Center is there to greet you. This is your stop for information, maps, bathrooms, water refills, National Park Passport Stamps, and more. Across the street, you’ll see the campgrounds. From there you head into the park and get on Loop Road. This one-way road will take you past every trailhead.
Inferno Cone
My first stop – Inferno Cone. The hike isn’t nearly as intimidating as the name may lead you to believe. It is a big straight hill to start, but at the top you have an amazing view of the park! When I was there, people of all ages and skill levels were on the trail. I think the key is to take it at your own pace.
Tree Molds Trail
My next stop was Tree Molds Trail. This 2-mile out-and-back trail was a fascinating look at the impressions trees left after the lava flows. It was also on this section of the trail that I felt like I could experience what the park was like. I remember being mesmerized by the colors and shapes, by the unique terrain. As I was writing this post, I went back to read my journal entries from this day. I kept talking about how hot I was. I was so thankful to have my car to escape to between trails. Otherwise, there was no relief from the sun.
The lava tube
My last stop on Loop Road was the caves. From the parking lot, you’ll walk along a boardwalk over the lava flow. The lava tube I stopped at required walking down a flight of stairs and then making your way through the tube. Some of the holes let sunlight in, but if you go, take a headlamp. It was really impressive to see another way that the lava flow altered the landscape.
It was a great day trip from my campsite. I saw what I wanted to see and felt like I fully experienced the park.
I got to chat with a Ranger from Craters of the Moon National Monument. Check out that episode of The Parks Podcast.
Basics
Where: Arco, Idaho.
Established: 2 May 1924, as a national monument, by Calvin Coolidge.
Size: about 750,000 acres. Highest elevation 7,729 feet, in the foothills of the Pioneer Mountains.
Trails: 16.2 miles of them, and Loop Road — one way — takes you past every trailhead.
An International Dark Sky park since 2017.
750 species of plant grow in the lava, and a long list of animals come out at night: packrats, skunks, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, bats, owls. A few live nowhere else — the Great Basin pocket mouse, the yellow pine chipmunk, the lava beetle.
Parking: at the Visitor Center, and at each trailhead off Loop Road.
Bathrooms: in the Visitor Center and at a few of the trailheads.
Water: refill at the Visitor Center. Because you drive from trailhead to trailhead, this is an easy park to carry extra water and top up from the car between walks.
There is no shade. You are out on open lava. Go early in summer, take sun protection, and bring snacks that replace electrolytes.
Take a headlamp if you are going into the caves.
Pets
Dogs are allowed in the park but not on any of the trails, on a six-foot leash at all times.
There is a Bark Ranger program — sign your dog up at the Visitor Center.
Traveling with a dog? Where I Would Actually Take My Dog is every park on this site, sorted by whether she can do the activities you came for.
Additional Resources
Craters of the Moon National Monument — the official National Park Service site.
Hours, road and cave access change. Check with the National Park Service before you go — details here were verified in September 2026.