Map of Moon National Monument ana Preserve in ID
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Craters of the Moon National Monument. How to get by car to the Craters of the Moon National Monument. How to book a room and its price in the Craters of the Moon National Monument
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve in south-central Idaho, southwest of Arco
The monument preserves approximately 1,100 square mi of land encompassing almost all of the volcanic rift zone known as the Great Rift. It includes three lava fields: Craters of the Moon, Wapi, and Kings Bowl. There are more than 25 cones and 60 lava flows that range in age from 15,000 to 2,000 years old. The park contains one of the largest basaltic cinder cones in the world (Big Cinder Butte) and some of the best examples of spatter cones in the world. The north end of the monument contains a portion of Goodale s Cutoff, which is part of the Oregon Trail. The monument was proclaimed on May 2, 1924. WHAT TO SEE & DO
Bird-watching, bicycling, caving, driving loop road, hiking, skiing, snow-shoeing, telemarking. Facilities: Visitor center, overlooks, trails, wayside exhibits, amphitheater. Bookstore, picnic tables. Programs & Events: Guided walks, evening programs (mid-June-Labor Day). Guided snow-shoe hikes (Jan. and Feb., weekends, reservations required). Tips & Hints: Bring sturdy ground cloth to protect tent bottoms. Go in mid-June for peak flower display, in late summer and fall for most ice-free caving. Busiest July and Aug., least crowded Dec. and Jan.
FOOD, LODGING & SUPPLIES
Camping: In the park: Craters of the Moon Lava Flow Campground (51 sites; free; flush toilets). Backcountry camping allowed (free; permit required, see below). In Arco: Landing Zone RV Park (2424 N. 3000 W, tel. 208/527-8513; 44 sites; $18-$23; flush toilets, showers, hookups), Mountain View (705 W. Grand Ave., tel. 208/527-3707; 34 sites; $17-$23; flush toilets, showers, hook-ups; closed Nov.-Apr.). ? Hotels: None in park. In Arco: DK Motel (316 S. Front St., tel. 208/527-8282 or 800/231-0134; 25 rooms, 6 suites; $45). X Restaurants: In the park: snacks at visitor center. In Arco: The Golden West Cafe (U.S. 20/ 26, tel. 208/527-8551; $5-$7). 6 Groceries: None in park. In Arco: Cindy's Craters Edge Chevron (967 W. Grand St., tel. 208/527-9944).
FEES, HOURS & REGULATIONS
Entrance fee: $5 per car, $3 per person on bicycle or on foot. Back-country camping permit and permit to enter north section of monument required (free). No bikes except on Goodales Cutoff. No hunting within original boundaries of monument; hunting permitted in expanded portions. No off-road vehicle travel. No pets on trails. Park road closed in winter. Park open daily. Visitor center open mid-June-Labor Day, daily 8-6; Labor Day-mid-June, daily 8-4:30.
HOW TO GET THERE
18 mi southwest of Arco on U.S. 20/26/93. Closest airport: Sun Valley (60 mi).
CONTACTS
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve (Box 29, Arco, ID 83213, tel. 208/527-3257, fax 208/527-3073). Lost River Chamber of Commerce (Box 46, Arco, ID 82313, tel. 208/ 527-8977).
Craters of the Moon National Monument. How to get by car to the Craters of the Moon National Monument. How to book a room and its price in the Craters of the Moon National Monument