A Complete Guide to Craters of the Moon Camping in 2024
INTERESTING IN CRATERS OF THE MOON CAMPING?
We can help! I grew up in Idaho, and when I was a kid, I always dreamed about going to the moon. Craters of the Moon camping in Southern Idaho is the closest I ever got. And now, I love sharing the magic of this place with my kids during camping trips.
Craters of the Moon is a lava field that covers about 600 square miles and is an amazing and unique place to go camping.
In this guide, we will share all of the need-to-know details about Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve camping and some helpful tips on how to best enjoy your time, including some of our favorite things to do at the national monument.
Craters of the Moon Camping
Craters of the Moon National Monument is located on the Snake River Plain in southern Idaho at 1266 Craters Loop. It’s about 2 hours to the west of Idaho Falls and an hour and a half northeast of Twin Falls. If you’re an outdoorsy family, it’s a wonderful place to explore, with lots of trails, caves, and beautiful vistas to enjoy on a scenic drive. It’s also one of our favorite places to go camping!
Keep in mind, especially if you decide to enjoy some Craters of the Moon winter camping, that some of the best features of this spot are seasonal. This means some of the roads, caves, and even the visitor’s center are closed during the winter months.
Expect to pay a $20 park entrance fee when visiting Craters of the Moon unless you have an America the Beautiful Pass. This pass is your golden ticket to visiting national parks and monuments for a full year. It’s a budget-friendly way to explore and enjoy so many special spots throughout the United States. We’ve had this pass for years and love all of the places we can visit using it.
Lava Flow Campground
There are no Craters of the Moon camping reservations. The Lava Flow Campground is the only campground here, and it’s a first-come, first-served basis campground. Amenities include water spigots, restrooms with flush toilets, a charcoal grill, and picnic tables. There are not any wood fire pits, so if you have a propane fire pit, you should bring it!
Craters of the Moon RV camping is possible, as this 42-site campground includes areas that can accommodate RVs, but they do not include hook-ups.
Our Craters of the Moon campground review is that it’s a suitable place to stay overnight. We were impressed by the Craters of the Moon campsite when we visited. It was well-kept and looked like a nice place to stay. The location is great, too! It’s located near the Craters of the Moon visitors center and many of the fun trails in this area. It’s an all-around great campground.
The campground is typically accessible by car from May through November. During this time, camping fees at Craters of the Moon are $15 per site. Seniors can stay for $7.50. Credit card payments are the only accepted form of payment at the campground.
If you’re looking to experience Craters of the Moon camping for free, consider visiting during the winter, when you can get a free permit to camp. The campground is only open to walk-in customers from December through March, but it’s a great way and affordable way to experience this area if you’re willing to face the cold!
Craters of the Moon Campground Map
Here’s a map to help you prepare for your Craters of the Moon National Monument camping adventure!
Craters of the Moon Group Campground
There is a group campground located at the base of Sunset Cove. It can be reserved from the end of May through September for parties of up to 30 people. The group site is meant for tent camping; it cannot accommodate RVs or trailers. The campground has picnic tables, a campfire ring, access to water, and a vault toilet.
Craters of the Moon Dispersed Camping
Craters of the Moon RV Camping and car camping are not permitted at the visitor center or anywhere along the scenic Loop Road, the main road through the Craters of the Moon wilderness.
BLM camping near Craters of the Moon is also available at Silver Creek and Fish Creek Reservoir. Dispersed camping is permitted at these sites.
Backcountry camping is permitted within Craters of the Moon, but a permit is required.
Best Camping Near Craters of the Moon
If you decide not to stay at Lava Flow Campground or at the group site, there are plenty of other places to go camping near Craters of the Moon. The list below incorporates all of the best Craters of the Moon camping spots!
Craters of the Moon KOA
🚗 18 miles from Craters of the Moon
This KOA campground in Arco, Idaho, offers full hook-ups, pull-through sites, a 90′ max trailer, and a dump station. Tent campsites are also available at KOA campgrounds in Idaho.
Mountain View RV Park
🚗 18 miles from Craters of the Moon
One of the best RV parks, Mountain View RV Park offers full hook-ups, pull-through sites, a 90′ max trailer, and a dump station. Tent campsites are also available here.
Moose Crossing RV Park
🚗 27 miles from Craters of the Moon
Moose Crossing RV Park also showcases full hook-ups, pull-through sites, a 50’ max trailer, and a dump station. If you want to camp in a tent, you can also do that here.
White Knob Motel and RV Park
🚗 45 miles from Craters of the Moon
White Knob Motel and RV Park offers full hook-ups, pull-through sites, and tent campsites.
Things to Do While Camping in Craters of the Moon
North Crater Flow Trail
Our first stop was at the North Crater Flow Trail. This is a great Craters of the Moon hiking spot for the whole family. There is about a 0.3-mile trail that is handicap and stroller-friendly.
It takes you across the young lava flow in Craters Moon National Monument. If you’re looking for a longer hike, there is a nearby trail that is a couple of miles. It ends at the Spatter Cones/Big Craters parking lot.
Just next to the parking areas, there is a hill you can climb to get a great view of the lava fields.
Devil Orchard Natural Trail
The Devil Orchard Trail will give you a different perspective than the North Crater Trail. It is about a half mile long and is handicap and stroller-friendly. It has lava fragments as well as some older, very uniquely shaped trees.
Also, along this trail, you will learn about the human impact on the park and the safeguards for protecting it today. It is a great wilderness trail if you want to learn more about the wonderful Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Inferno Cone
The Inferno Cone and surrounding area is impressive. You can climb to the top of the cone, which is a short and steep 0.2-mile short walk. From the top, you can see cinder cones and the Great Rift. You can also see one of the world’s largest basaltic cinder cones.
Spatter Cones and Big Craters Area
These miniature volcanoes are accessible by a short trail that is both stroller and handicap accessible. There is a fenced viewpoint at the end, which lets you see the small crater. Also, at this stop, you can climb to the top of Spatter Cone and look inside the crater.
Cave and Lava Tube Areas
Unfortunately, these areas were still closed when we visited (mid-April) due to ice and snow. You can learn more about these areas in the Visitors Center. Before going into the cave area, you will need to get a trip permit and bring a flashlight.
We will definitely be planning a trip back to Craters of the Moon, Idaho when the Craters of the Moon caves and tubes are open.
Craters of the Moon National Monument Weather
The monument can be a very dry and windy place to visit. In fact, the high desert conditions are what has kept the lava flows so intact, with little to no precipitation to break them down. Keep desert conditions in mind when planning your visit, no matter what time of year you arrive.
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures to wander the trails and explore the lava tube caves. With little shade, summer months can bring blazing hot temperatures, and winter will bring freezing ones as well.
Things to Know Before Visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument
- There are not a lot of food options within Craters of the Moon, so plan on bringing food in. Snacks are available for purchase in the Visitors Center.
- It is windy in Craters of the Moon, so plan for some colder temperatures. We were not well prepared for the colder temperatures and the wind.
- The loop drive is closed from November to April. If you are passing through during the closed months, consider skiing or snowshoeing through the park.
FAQ: Craters of the Moon Camping
We definitely think Craters of the Moon is worth a stop! It’s a great place to explore if you only have a few hours or stay longer camping at Craters of the Moon!
This depends on your family’s interests. You can see the highlights in half a day or so, while others prefer to spend multiple days checking things out.
Camping Craters of the Moon is half the fun of visiting this spot, so stay the night if you can!
No. When camping near Craters of the Moon and within the monument area, it’s important not to take or disturb the lava rocks found there. The land and features within the area are protected, and collecting rocks is not allowed.
Craters of the Moon Idaho is windy, so we recommend dressing for warmth even during warmer seasons. Also, wear sunscreen too!
Arco is the nearest town to Craters of the Moon. It’s roughly 18 miles away from the monument.
The otherworldly landscape of Craters of the Moon makes it very special. NASA astronauts even visited Craters of the Moon, Idaho, to study the volcanic features and learn which rock specimens to bring back from the moon!
Yes! It’s a great place to learn more about Craters Moon National Monument and the different kinds of lava and lava tubes. They have exhibits and a film explaining everything you need to know about Craters of the Moon.
The volcanos at Craters of the Moon are dormant, so don’t expect to see lava from a recent eruption. You can see lava flows up to 15,000 years old at Craters of the Moon.
Craters of the Moon has 25 cinder cone volcanoes. These geological features are fun to explore while visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Craters of the Moon National Monument is located near Arco, in southern Idaho. It’s roughly a 2-hour drive from Idaho Falls or an hour-and-a-half drive from Twin Falls.
Yes! You can camp at Lava Flow Campground, at the group campsite, or in the backcountry.
Conclusion: Craters of the Moon Camping
Camping Near Craters of the Moon, Idaho, is one of our family’s favorite things to do when visiting south-central Idaho. The unique landscape is so striking and awe-inspiring.
It’s a wonderful place not only to explore but also to let your imagination run wild as you spend a night or two under the darkest skies full of stars with your family. Craters of the Moon stargazing is incredible!
If you are taking a road trip through Southeast Idaho, we recommend checking out Mesa Falls as well as Sun Valley. They are both great destinations and well worth a visit!
We hope this guide will help you enjoy this unique and fun Idaho gem as you plan your own Craters of the Moon Idaho camping trip!
