Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve — Craters Loop Road
Arco, ID Hours and Location

1266 Craters Loop Road
Arco, ID   83213Driving Directions
Phone: (208)527-1300(208)527-1300 Maps & Directions

https://www.nps.gov/crmo/planyou...

National Monument & Preserve

Operating Hours & Seasons

Craters of the Moon National Preserve

Always open but roads may be impassable due to mud or snow during certain times of year. High clearance four-wheel drive highly recommended on BLM Monument roads.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:Open 24 hours
• Monday:Open 24 hours
• Tuesday:Open 24 hours
• Wednesday:Open 24 hours
• Thursday:Open 24 hours
• Friday:Open 24 hours
• Saturday:Open 24 hours

Park Entrance

Craters of the Moon National Monument

The scenic Loop Road is generally closed to motorized vehicles from late November through mid-April due to snow. The Loop Road is groomed for cross-country skiing in January and February.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:Open 24 hours
• Monday:Open 24 hours
• Tuesday:Open 24 hours
• Wednesday:Open 24 hours
• Thursday:Open 24 hours
• Friday:Open 24 hours
• Saturday:Open 24 hours

Additional Information View More

• Winter Loop Drive Closure:
• November 1 - April 15

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $15.00 - NPS Monument Entrance Fee - Private Vehicle
  This per-vehicle fee covers all occupants of your vehicle for seven consecutive days and provides entrance into the NPS Monument.
• $7.00 - NPS Monument Entrance Fee - Per Person / bicycle or foot
  This per-person fee provides entrance into the NPS Monument for seven consecutive days.
• $10.00 - NPS Monument Entrance Fee - Motorcycle
  This motorcycle fee provides entrance into the NPS Monument for seven consecutive days.
• $0.00 - Winter Recreation Access
  When the Loop Drive is closed by snow access is available by snowshoe, ski or foot only. There is no entrance fee during this time period.

Entrance Passes:

• $30.00 - Craters Annual Pass
  This pass covers the entrance fees of the pass holder and up to three fellow travelers. It is valid for 365 days from date of purchase. Available in spring 2016.

About

A Violent Past, Calm Present, and Uncertain Future...

Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow...

Directions

Visitor Center and Loop Drive are located 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles northeast of Carey, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls. Physical address is 1266 Craters Loop Road(Lat/Long: 43° 27.711'N/113° 33.7) Access to the main visitor use area is via a paved highway. Unpaved roads provide additional access to the BLM monument and NPS Preserve but should only be utilized by four wheel drive and high clearance vehicles.

Visitor Centers

Visitor Center

Start your visit here for maps, information, exhibits, presentations, restrooms and the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association bookstore. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (6 p.m. in summer).

Weather

Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. Intense summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 170 degrees Fahrenheit and air temperatures in the 90s. Drying winds are a daily occurence, especially in the afternoon, and may reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.