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National monument · ID

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Bureau of Land Management
DesignationNational monument
StateID
Managed byBureau of Land Management
Best seasonJun–Sep
On the map
Map showing the location of Craters of the Moon National Monument

About Craters of the Moon National Monument

The Bureau of Land Management's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a 750,000-acre geologic wonderland, managed jointly with the National Park Service's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Its central feature is the Great Rift, a 52-mile long crack in the Earth's crust. The Great Rift is a remarkably preserved volcanic landscape. Exposed fissures, lava fields, lava tubes, craters and cinder cones form a strangely beautiful volcanic sea on central Idaho's Snake River Plain. This landscape was formed by eruptions that started 15,000 years ago and represents the last period of volcanic activity in this area. The most recent activity occurred just 2,100 years ago, and is likely to continue. Craters of the Moon offers countless opportunities for hiking, camping

Things to do

BikingCampingInterpretive programsHikingHorseback ridingHunting

When to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Best Jun–SepAverage low–high: 54–79°FAverage monthly sunny share of daylight: 67%2.8 wet days / month
Weather data & source

Each figure averages the highlighted months. 2018–2023 averages, not a forecast. Wet days estimate days with at least 1 mm of rain or snow using a calibrated ERA5 threshold. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (AWS Open Data, CC BY 4.0). ERA5 via Open-Meteo AWS Open Data

Plan your visit

Craters of the Moon National Monument is managed by Bureau of Land Management. Check current conditions, permits, and reservations before you go.

See it on Recreation.gov →