Craters of the Moon National Monument offers some unique hiking trails through a fascinating landscape of cooled lava flows, lava tubes, and cinder cones.

This park protects the deepest-known split in the earth known as the Great Rift in southern Idaho. The rift is made up of cracks and vents in the earth’s surface where lava oozed out from 15,000 years ago to as recent as 2,000 years ago. The rift begins near the Visitor Center and stretches for 52 miles southeast.

Craters of the Moon is a surreal landscape which is best experienced up close and personal on the various trails found in the park. At this park you can climb up a cinder cone, hike inside a spatter cone, and explore underground caves.

The majority of the hikes in Craters of the Moon are short, easy and very beginner friendly. If you do plan to hike here, which is highly recommended, make sure you wear good hiking shoes as some of the trails travel over sharp basalt rocks and loose cinder cones.

All of the trailheads can be found off the 7 Mile Loop Road which is the only road through the park. Trailheads are clearly marked on the park map which you can pick up from the Visitor Center.

Here is a guide to the seven best hikes at Craters of the Moon National Monument.

7 Best Hiking Trails At Craters Of The Moon

1. North Crater Flow Trail

Best Hikes At Craters Of The Moon National Monument

The North Crater Flow Trail is one of the shortest and easiest hikes at Craters of the Moon. This hiking trail which begins at the Lava Flow Campground, winds through one of the most recent lava flows in the park that happened about two thousand years ago.

While there aren’t amazing views along this trail, it is one of the best trails to see cooled lava flows up close. There are several informative signs along the way to help you understand the park’s geologic history.

This hike is 0.30 miles in total and is mostly on a boardwalk before the trail turns to rocks. It’s a great beginner hike and a good introduction to Craters of the Moon.

2. Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail

The Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail is one of the easiest, if not the easiest, hike you can do at Craters Of The Moon. This hiking trail which is more like a paved footpath, is only 0.50 miles in length and is flat the entire way with absolutely no elevation gain.

Devil’s Orchard was created about two thousand years ago when violent volcanic eruptions spewed rivers of lava transporting massive chucks of a crater wall down to this spot. Along the trail, you’ll be able to see random parts of this crater wall, along with gnarly shaped trees and sagebrush.

There are numerous exhibits along the way which explain the history of the area and how environmental changes are impacting this part of Idaho.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy trail, this is perfect for you, and will only require about fifteen to thirty minutes to complete. It is also suitable for visitors with strollers and wheelchairs.

3. Inferno Cone

Inferno Cone is definitely the coolest hike at Craters of the Moon and if you only have time to do one hike, this should be it! Not only will you be able to say you’ve hiked up a cinder cone, but you’ll also be able to see some of the most spectacular views of Craters of the Moon and in fact, much of Southern Idaho too.

What is a cinder cone you ask? Is it a volcano? A cinder cone is steep conical hill made up of loose pyroclastic fragments such as volcanic ash or cinder that has been built around a volcanic vent. The pyroclastic fragments are formed when explosive eruptions or lava fountains explode from a single vent.

As gas charged lava is blown violently into the air, it breaks into small fragments that solidify and fall as either cinders or scoria around the vent to form a cone that is often symmetrical with 30 and 40 degree angled slopes.

Usually, at the top of most cinder cones there is a crater, however, you won’t find a crater at the top of this Inferno Cone.

The hike up to the top of Inferno Cone and back down again is only 0.50 miles so it is actually quite a short trail, although very steep. But as we mentioned above, it is well worth the effort. From the top you can see other cinder cones, massive lava flows, and even Idaho’s mountain ranges to the north and northeast.

There is no official trail, you just make your way up the jet black walls of this cinder cone. Here is a trail guide for hiking up Inferno Cone where you can see some photography on what the view looks like from the top.

4. Spatter Cones

The Spatter Cones are a pair of miniature volcanoes which hikers can walk inside along a short trail that wraps around the wall of the cone before entering its center where there is a vent.

These mini volcanoes were formed when lumps of lava exploded into the air before falling back down around the small vent in which they were ejected from. As the molten blobs cooled, they created the walls of the Spatter Cones.

Visitors can peer into these vents which have a fence around them for your safety. You won’t find lava inside them though, just a big black hole and possibly a few birds that have decided to nest inside.

Adjacent to the Spatter Cones is the Snow Cone which is accessible along this same trail. The Snow Cone is a third Spatter Cone however this particular cone is so deep that snow resides at the bottom year round.

5. Broken Top Loop Trail

The Broken Top Loop Trail is one of the ‘longer’ hiking trails at Craters of the Moon National Monument. It is a 1.8 mile trail rated as moderate which takes you through a lava landscape circumnavigating around a cinder cone.

There are some gentle climbs along the way which offer expansive views of the park, as well as ten markers which explain the significance of each stop.

For example, at Marker #1 is a depression where a tear in the earth sprayed molten rock resulting in a cinder cone. At Marker #3 is a short quarter mile long spur trail to the Big Sink Overlook where visitors can see the “Blue Dragon”, a huge lava flow which is the youngest lava flow at 2,100 years old.

Near the end of the trail you’ll walk through pahoehoe lava flows, which are rope-like lava flow formations.

Note that this is the hiking trail that is used to access the Buffalo Cave.

6. Caves Trail

One of the most interesting features of Craters of the Moon National Monument are the lava caves that are scattered throughout the park.

These caves are in fact tubes which formed when swift moving rivers of lava flowed underground in this area leaving behind large sections of earth that are hollowed out with walls made of hardened lava.

While there are over five hundred caves in Craters of the Moon, only five caves can be accessed by the public. All other caves located within the park are closed to visitors. The caves that can be accessed include Indian Tunnel, Dew Drop Cave, Boy Scout Cave, Beauty Cave, and Buffalo Caves.

The favorite cave among visitors is the Indian Tunnel because it is so beginner friendly. This cave has ladders that help hikers descend into it. There are also several openings which let sunlight in so a flashlight is not necessary.

Other caves are more difficult to access such as Boy Scout which requires crawling to access.

You can visit four of the five caves along the aptly named Caves Trail.

To visit the caves you will need a special permit which is completely free and can be obtained from the Visitor Center after undergoing a quick screening process. The screening process aims to protect bats inside caves from a disease called White Nose Syndrome that can be introduced by humans.

If you want to visit all of the caves along this hiking trail, be sure to bring a flashlight with you on your trip. You may be able to purchase one from the Visitor Center though should you forget to pack yours.

7. Wilderness Trail

Best Hiking Trails At Craters Of The Moon National Monument

The Wilderness Trail is the longest hiking trail at Craters of the Moon at ten miles out and back (so five miles each way). However, the trail is mostly flat and relatively easy.

It leads into Craters of the Moon backcountry where you can enjoy high desert landscape as well as see interesting volcanic formations like tree molds and underground lava tubes.

The trail is mostly popular with runners and backpackers planning overnight trips.

It is very possible to complete this as a day hike if you’re looking for a longer hike to really stretch your legs, or you could even choose to hike just part of the trail and turn back when you choose.

Note that you will need to obtain a backcountry permit from the Visitor Center before you undertake this hike.

Where To Stay At Craters Of The Moon National Monument

There are no accommodations in or close to Craters of the Moon National Monument, however there is one campground, known as the Lava Flow Campground which has 42 sites. The Lava Flow Campground is a first come first served campground. If this campground is full, the other nearest campgrounds are thirty miles away in Arco.

Arco is also where the closest motels are (there are only two motels in Arco). But keep in mind, the motels in Arco are simple, no fringe motels. If you prefer a more upscale hotel, the best option is in Hailey which is about one hour away. Here is a quick overview on campgrounds and hotels in or near Craters of the Moon.

Lava Flow Campground

The Lava Flow Campground sits on one of the youngest lava flows at Craters of the Moon offering visitors a unique camping experience for those wishing to stay overnight inside the park.

This campground has 42 sites and is first come first served. All sites come with a picnic table and charcoal grill. Campsites here can accommodate both tent and RV sites but keep in mind there are no hookups.

Lava Flow Campground is only accessible by vehicle from May to October. Camping is permitted during winter but visitors will need to hike or snowshoe in. Campsites cost $15 per night during the summer and $8 per night during the shoulder season.

KOA Craters Of The Moon In Arco

The nearest campground to Craters Of The Moon is the Craters Of The Moon KOA which is 19 miles away in Arco. This campground has tent sites, Pull-Thru RV Sites (max 75 feet), and even cabins for travelers without camping gear.

Amenities at this KOA include a heated outdoor pool, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, laundry room, bike rentals, a volleyball court, horseshoes, a gift shop, and a snack bar.

Mountain View RV Park

Mountain View RV Park is another campground in Arco. This campground offers pull-thru sites with full hookups, BBQ grill, picnic table, and free Wi-Fi. The park also has a coin-operated laundry room.

Motels In Arco

The nearest motels are in Arco but there are only two to choose from, the Arco Inn and DK Motel. Both of these motels are simple, no fringe motels. However, if you are headed to Grand Teton National Park, Arco is a good strategic place to stay.

Hotels In Hailey

There are several very nice hotels in Hailey. One of the best hotels here is the AmericInn by Wyndham which has spacious rooms with mountain views, a large indoor pool, an outdoor sitting area, common lounge area with fireplace, and comes with a free breakfast.

Hailey is a good location to stay if you are on your way to Stanley or interested in driving the Sawtooth Scenic Byway (highly recommended).

Hotels In Twin Fall

If you’re heading to Twin Falls, there are many hotels to choose from and the majority of them are very reasonably priced. Twin Falls is a 1.5 hour drive away, so it is a long drive, but if you are going in that direction you may be better off spending the night there. See hotels in Twin Falls here.

National Park Guides

Road Trip Guides

Like it? Pin it!