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Craters of the Moon – Lava trees can be viewed along the Wilderness Trail and are created when living trees are enveloped by lava flows. The water (0661084b-5060-4427-8084-426299aee1f8)📷 NPS Photo, Public domain

Craters of the Moon

Arco, ID

Nature

Black lava fields, cinder cones and caves you can explore with a free permit.

Nearest town
Arco, ID
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
43.4166, -113.5166

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Idaho’s Sawtooth Scenic Byway – a body of water surrounded by mountains and treesPhoto by Laura Seaman on Unsplash
75
Scenic byways

Idaho’s Sawtooth Scenic Byway

233 mi6 stops3 days
Lava, peaks and cold lakes: by camper van along the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and through Craters of the Moon – Lava trees can be viewed along the Wilderness Trail and are created when living trees are enveloped by lava flows. The water (0661084b-5060-4427-8084-426299aee1f8)© NPS Photo · Public domain
75
In-depth road trip guides

Lava, peaks and cold lakes: by camper van along the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and through Craters of the Moon

241 mi10 stops6 days

Nearby

-IDAHO-B-0119- Snake River - Shoshone Falls (6918286591)© WaterArchives.org from Sacramento, California, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Shoshone Falls

Twin Falls, ID
Perrine Bridge 2016-09-28 334© Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0
Views

Perrine Bridge

Twin Falls, ID
Malad Gorge State Park – Malad Gorge - panoramio - photophat (1)© photophat · CC BY 3.0
Views

Malad Gorge State Park

Hagerman, ID
Nature

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Hagerman, ID

Campsites nearby

  • Lava Flow CampgroundCampsite
    4 mi from Craters of the Moon
    TentsCaravansDrinking water
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Mountain View RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    18 mi from Craters of the Moon · 44 pitches
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Craters of the Moon / Arco KOA JourneyMotorhome stopover
    18 mi from Craters of the Moon
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Motorhome stopover · ArcoMotorhome stopover
    19 mi from Craters of the Moon
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Iron Bog CampgroundCampsite
    20 mi from Craters of the Moon
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Idaho · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Craters of the Moon?

Craters of the Moon is in Arco, ID, at GPS 43.4166, -113.5166. It is about 41 mi from Hailey.

Can you camp near Craters of the Moon?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lava Flow Campground, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 5 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Craters of the Moon?

Craters of the Moon is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Idaho’s Sawtooth Scenic Byway and Lava, peaks and cold lakes: by camper van along the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and through Craters of the Moon.

What is there to see near Craters of the Moon?

Places worth a stop nearby: Shoshone Falls (72 mi), Perrine Bridge (74 mi), Malad Gorge State Park (78 mi) and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (84 mi).

When is the best time to visit Craters of the Moon?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)