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PARKS
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Craters of the Moon National Monument
P.O. Box 29
Arco, ID 83213
(208) 527-3257
Craters of the Moon has been described as "The strangest 75 square miles on the North American
Continent" by one early traveler. Others deem it "a weird lunar landscape," "an outdoor museum of
volcanism," and "a desolate and awful waste". Virtually unknown until 1921, the area was made a
national monument in 1924, and today it embraces 83 square miles. The Shoshone Indians never
inhabited this are in large numbers, but they hunted here. Pioneers in covered wagons skirted the lava
flows; later cattle ranchers avoided the place; and miner staked claims only nearby. But this odd
landscape, showing our globe's awesome forces, eventually became an object of awe.
Geologists predict that the landscape will sometime erupt again. Surface patterns and formations abound
here which are typical of basalitic lava associated with volcanism the world over. "Where is the volcano?"
you might ask. There is not just one, for her the Earth opened a great wound and lava spewed out. The
fissure vents, volcanic cones, and lava flows of the Great Rift zone began erupting only 15,000 years ago
and ceased only 2,000 years ago.
Drive the 7-mile loop road to discover the spatter and cinder cones, lava flows and lava tube caves. You
will also find wildflowers, birds and mammals.
To the south in the park lies the vast Craters of the Moon Wilderness established by Congress in 1970.
This region boasts stark volcanic features flanking the Great Rift and challenges serious hikers and
explorers. Before you decide on such a trek, check with Park rangers. There is no water in summer, and
the Hawaiian word for one type of lava here means "hard on the feet."
Plant and Animal Life at the Monument
Garnering livelihoods from this alien, Moonlike landscape are no less than 2,000 insect
species, 148 birds, 47 mammals, 8 reptiles, and a lone amphibian, the western toad. Mule
deer are sometimes seen around Paisley, inferno, and Broken Top cones. Secretive
predators, bobcats and great horned owls, hunt here. The prairie falcon preys on other birds
and small mammals with lightning dives. In the campgrounds you may see chipmunks and
golden mantled round squirrels.
More than 300 species of plants are found in this apparently desolate landscape. Big
sagebrush, antel bitterbush, and rubber rabbitbrush are established on the older lava flows.
On the younger flows, mockorange and tansybush may fill deeper crevices where soil matter
have accumulated.
Wildflowers carpet Craters of the Moon from early May until late August. The more delicate
annuals bloom during late May and early June when snowmelt and occasional rains provide
fair amounts of moisture. With summer's dryness the more drought resistant plants continue
to grow and bloom.
Craters of the Moon Loop Road
Before beginning your exploration of the Loop Road stop at the Visitors Center. The center
displays and a short video describe the park's lava phenomena, life, history, and the Earth
processes creating them. Check on schedules of conducted walks and evening programs, and
examine the sales publications about the park. Ask questions about both the park and your
explorations.
The 7-mile loop road takes you deeper into the park's unique scenic attractions. Side trips
lead to points outlined below. Most of the drive is one way. Several spur roads and
trailheads enable you to explore Craters of the Moon even further. The trails invite foot
travel. You can make the drive, including several short walks in your itinerary, in about 2
hours.
North Crater Flow - At this first stop a short trail crosses the flow to a group of
monoliths or crater wall fragments transported by lava flows. This flow is one of the
youngest and here the Triple Twist Tree suggests, because of its 1,350 growth rings, that
these eruptions ceased only 2,000 years ago. You see fine examples of both ropy pahoehoe
lava and a'a lava flows on North Crater Flow. Just up the road is the North Crater Trail,
Take this longer, steep trail to peer into a volcano vent.
Devil's Orchard - After the road skirts Paisley Cone, on the east side stands Devils
Orchard. This group of lava fragments stands like islands in a sea of cinders. A short spur
road leads to a self-guiding trail through these weird features. As you walk this 1/2-mile
trail, you will see how people have had an impact on this lava landscape and what is being
done to protect it today. This barrier-free trail is designed to provide access to all
people.
Inferno Cone Viewpoint - A volcanic landscape of cinder cones spreads before you
to the distant mountain ranges beyond. Cool, moist north slopes of the cones have noticeably
more vegetation than the drier south slopes. From the summit of Inferno Cone - a short,
steep walk-you can easily recognize the chain of cinder cones along the Great Rift.
Big Cinder Butte towers above the lava plain in the distance. This is one of the
largest purely basaltic cinder cones in the world.
Big Craters and Spatter Cones Area - Spatter cones formed along the Great Rift
fissure where clots of pasty lava stuck together when they fell. The material and forces of
these eruptions originated at depths of nearly 37 miles within the Earth. To protect these
fragile volcanic features, you are required to stay on trails in this area.
Trails to Tree Molds and Wilderness - A spur road just beyond Inferno Cone takes
you to trails to the Tree Molds Area, Trench Mortar Flats, and the Craters of the Moon
Wilderness. Tree molds formed where molten lava flows encased trees and then hardened.
The cylindrical molds that remained after the wood rotted away range from a few inches to
just under 3 feet in diameter. Note: All backcountry camping requires a permit available at
the Visitor Center.
Cave Area - At this last stop on the loop road take a 1/2-mile walk to the lava tubes
and see Dewdrop, Boy Scout, Beauty, and Surprise Caves and the Indian Tunnel. You need
to carry artificial light in all caves but Indian Tunnel.
Hiking Trails
North Crater Flow Trail - 1/4 mile, easy; This trail takes you onto the
North Crater Flow, a pahoehoe flow that spilled from the North Crater vent about 2,100
years ago. Signs along the trail introduce other typical basalt features: pressure ridges,
squeeze ups, a'a lava, and rafted blocks.
Devil's Orchard - 1/3 mile, easy; This paved trail explores an area of cinder
beds scattered with pieces of the North Crater wall. Signs and a brochure describe how the
National Park Service protects the pristine air, lava formations, limber pine, and other living
things at Craters of the Moon. This trail is wheelchair accessible.
North Crater Trail - 3 miles, strenuous; This trail is especially interesting for
its variety. It is also the most strenuous. The trail traverses North Crater and drops into the
crater mouth, the origin point for the North Crater flow. Notice that the northwest flank of
North Crater is missing. An eruption tore the wall apart, and a series of a'a flows rafted the
fragments away. The trail continues to the rim of Big Craters before descending to the
Spatter Cones. If you have two vehicles, leave one at the Spatter Cones parking lot to avoid
hiking back on the same trail.
Inferno Cone - 1/2 mile, strenuous; The trail to the top of Inferno Cone is steep,
but rewards you with panoramic views of the Great Rift, Snake River Plain, and Pioneer
Mountains. On clear days you may see the Teton Range, 100 miles to the east.
The Caves Trail - 1 to 2 miles, moderate; On a summer day, the cool, dark lava
tubes along the Caves Trail offer a radical change from the brilliant light and blistering heat
on the surface. Indian Tunnel, one-half mile from the parking lot, is the largest cave and the
easiest to visit. Skylights permit enough daylight to enter so that you do not need a
flashlight. The other caves are pitch black, with uneven floors and low ceilings. Be sure you
have a good flashlight for every person in your group, and that everyone is physically
capable before exploring these caves. A hat and long pants will protect your head and legs
from the sharp rock. A brochure available at the trailhead provides further information
about the lava tubes.
Big Craters From The Spatter Cones - 1/2 mile, moderate; A paved path
leads uphill from the parking lot to the crater rim, the best place on the Loop Drive to see the
craters for which the park is named. This hike is an excellent alternative for those not
wishing to hike all the way from the North Crater Flow parking lot (see North Crater Trail
description).
The Wilderness Trail To Echo Crater - 6 miles, moderate; You will
have a sense of solitude as you travel into the Craters of the Moon Wilderness. The trailhead
is 75 yards from the parking lot back along the road. The trail goes over Broken Top cinder
cone and crosses a pahoehoe flow close to Buffalo Caves. The caves are located 1,000 feet
north of the trail against the south side of Broken Top. You then pass a series of lava trees
and several cinder cones before reaching Echo Crater. Some people backpack to this point
and camp overnight. Backcountry permits are required for overnight trips and are available
free of charge at the visitor center.
The Tree Molds - 3 miles, moderate; The trail winds through shrubs and stands of
limber pine before reaching the edge of the Blue Dragon Flow. While still molten, this lava
flow knocked down and ignited trees. The charred trees left impressions in the lava rock. In
other places, the trees remained standing as the lava encased them, leaving vertical molds in
the cooling lava.
Weather at the Monument
Marmots spend a large part of each year in a state of deep slumber. During both the
blistering summer heat and bitter cold of winter, they lie curled in rocky burrows, their
metabolism, heartbeat, and breathing at a virtual standstill. They thereby cleverly avoid the
extremes of weather and climate which prevail at Craters of the Moon. By conserving
energy in winter and water in summer, they ensure their own survival.
Visitors to Craters of the Moon must be prepared for the same extremes. The intense
summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 175 degrees F and air
temperatures in the 90's. Winds are daily occurrence, especially in the afternoon, and may
reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.
Fall and spring are milder, with unsettled weather. If you can, plan to visit in late May or
June, when delicate flowers burst to life against the black backdrop of the cinder slopes: pink
dwarf monkeyflower, yellow dwarf buckwheat, white bitterroot, and many others.
Winter transforms the Craters of the Moon landscape into a strange juxtaposition of rugged
black and soft white. The National Park Service grooms the Loop Drive for cross country
skiing when snow conditions permit, offering those on skis or snowshoes a way to experience
the solitude and silence of the lava fields.
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