National Monument & Preserve · ID

Things to do in Craters Of The Moon

The National Park Service lists 11 things to do at Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve. 11 have no extra fee, 11 need no reservation, and 1 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

All (11) Hiking (6)Backcountry Camping (1)Junior Ranger Program (1)Caving (1)Stargazing (1)Cross-Country Skiing (1)

Backpack the Craters of the Moon Wilderness

Immerse yourself in the solitude of the Craters of the Moon Wilderness.

Year-round

Backcountry Camping

a display featuring a junior ranger guidebook and several activities and junior ranger badges — Photo: NPS Photo

Become a Craters Junior Ranger

Earn your Junior Ranger badge for Craters of the Moon while learning about the park by completing this fun activity book.

15-30 Minutes

Junior Ranger Program

A person walks down a set out stairs into the wide open entrance of a lava tube. — Photo: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank

Explore a Cave

Explore Craters' dynamic underground world of lava tubes.

60-90 Minutes Summer, Fall

Caving

Hike Broken Top Loop

Find a variety of unique volcanic features on this moderate-difficulty 1.8 mile loop.

60-90 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

a paved trail in an open pine woodland covered with dark rocks and patches of tall grass — Photo: NPS Photo / Lauren Reid

Hike Devils Orchard

Enjoy an easy, 0.5 mile walk through an open limber pine woodland.

30-45 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike the North Crater Trail

This strenuous 3.5-mile trail drops into the mouth of North Crater.

90-120 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

dark rock featuring the impression of two fallen tree trunks — Photo: NPS Photo

Hike the Tree Molds Trail

This 2-mile trail winds through the Craters of the Moon Wilderness and features molds of ancient trees encased in lava.

60-90 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike Up Inferno Cone

Climb a short but very steep trail to the top of a volcanic cone for awe-inspiring views.

30-45 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

a person standing on a rock silhouetted against the milky way — Photo: NPS Photo / Jacob W Frank

Stargazing at Craters of the Moon

See the night sky like never before! The natural darkness of Craters of the Moon lends to superior stargazing opportunities.

Pets allowed

Stargazing

A cross-country skier travels down the groomed park road in winter. — Photo: NPS Photo

Visit Craters in Winter

Tour a lava wonderland blanketed in snow. Winter visitors can enjoy skiing the groomed park road or venture into the park on snowshoes.

Winter

Cross-Country Skiing

a person walking on a paved path up to a small volcanic cone — Photo: NPS Photo / Jacob W Frank

Visit the Spatter Cones

Take a short walk to view some of the park's mini-volcanoes up close and personal.

10-15 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Before you go

Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Craters Of The Moon. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.

Things to do at nearby parks

Minidoka National Historic Site (ID, WA)
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (ID)
City Of Rocks National Reserve (ID)
Golden Spike National Historical Park (UT)
Grand Teton National Park (WY)
Fossil Butte National Monument (WY)

Sources

National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve — things to do on nps.gov