National Park Service · Idaho
A vast ocean of black lava flows, cinder cones, and lava-tube caves in central Idaho, with a scenic loop road and a free cave permit you must pick up in person.
Field briefing
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve changes fast with season and elevation.
Before you go
The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle. The one non-obvious planning step is the free cave permit, which you must pick up in person at the visitor center before entering any cave, part of an effort to slow the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats. The Loop Road closes to cars in winter, so plan for May to October for full access.
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Cool and changeable, with the Loop Road usually opening as snow clears.
Pack Wind layer, sun protection, and a headlamp for the lava-tube caves.
Hot and exposed, with black lava that radiates heat and little shade.
Pack Maximum water, sun shirt, sturdy shoes for sharp rock, and a cave permit.
Cooling days, cold nights, and quieter trails with strong light.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp, and water even on cool days.
Snowy and quiet, with the Loop Road closed to cars and open for skiing and snowshoeing.
Pack Insulation, traction or skis, and a plan for a road closed to vehicles.
Caves Area and Indian Tunnel
A short trail to a cluster of lava-tube caves. Indian Tunnel is the largest and most accessible, with skylights and a scramble exit. A free cave permit is required.
Inferno Cone
A short, steep climb up a black cinder cone to a summit view over the whole lava field and the Pioneer Mountains.
North Crater Flow and Spatter Cones
Easy walks among fresh-looking lava, tree molds, and small volcanic vents right off the Loop Road.
Put permit timing ahead of ambition, then build the route around what is actually approved. For one day in Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, make Caves Area and Indian Tunnel the non-negotiable, add Inferno Cone only if the first stop runs clean, and keep North Crater Flow and Spatter Cones as the flexible finish.
Turn Craters of the Moon's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
The buying guides that match what Craters of the Moon asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Lava Flow Campground is the only camping inside the monument, on a black lava field near the visitor center, and it is first come, first served. There is no lodging inside the monument. The closest towns are Arco to the east and Carey to the west, both small, with more lodging and food in Idaho Falls about 90 minutes away. Many visitors fold Craters into a longer route between Boise, Sun Valley, and Yellowstone.
Camping reservations
There are no campsite reservations at Craters. The campground fills on a first-come basis, and the only mandatory paperwork is a free cave permit you pick up at the visitor center.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
No reservations. Lava Flow Campground is first come, first served and typically open May through October. Cave permits are free and issued in person at the visitor center.
Where to book or verify
Official NPS page with season, fees, and amenities.
Official page explaining the free cave permit required to protect bats.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Car strategy
Craters of the Moon sits on US 20/26/93 in central Idaho, between Arco and Carey.
Car strategy
Most visitors drive from Idaho Falls, about 90 minutes east, or work it into a route between Sun Valley and Yellowstone.
Shuttle access
The visitor center and Loop Road are right off the highway, so it is an easy stop, but check that the Loop Road is open and snow-free if you are visiting in the shoulder seasons.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
Yes. A free cave permit is required to enter any lava-tube cave, and you must pick it up in person at the visitor center. The permit is part of an effort to slow white-nose syndrome, a disease affecting bats.
The entrance fee is $20 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. Motorcycles are $15 and individuals on foot or bike are $4, with children 15 and under free.
Yes. Lava Flow Campground inside the monument is first come, first served with no reservations, typically open May through October. It sits on exposed lava with little shade, so bring plenty of water.
No. From about mid-November to mid-April, snow closes the Loop Road to cars, though it stays open for skiing and snowshoeing. Plan for May to October if you want to drive the full loop.