Current Conditions - Craters of the Moon

Alerts

 

Visitor Center and Bookstore Open Thursday Through Monday

• The visitor center, bookstore, museum, and visitor center restrooms are open Thursday through Monday. Review the visitor center hours.
• Be prepared for your visit. Snow and ice may be present on the road or trails at any time.
• Drinking water is only available in the visitor center when open. Vault toilets are available 24 hours at the Lava Flow Campground, Devils Orchard, and Tree Molds areas.
• Check the local weather forecast before driving to the park. The park is open 24 hours but temporary closures of the Loop Road may occur due to icy conditions.
• Passport stamps are available in the bookstore during business hours. You can also email the park, and we can mail you copies of the passport stamps.
• Information on things to do can be found online and on the free National Park Service app. Cell service is very limited inside the park, so we recommend downloading the app and saving Craters of the Moon for offline use before you arrive.
• The full park film, Craters of the Moon: The Movie, is available online as well as other short videos on our multimedia page.

Loop Road Open to Vehicles, Full Closure of Road and Trails Planned May 20-24

The Loop Road is open to vehicles for the season. Leashed pets are welcome in parking areas, on roads, and in the Lava Flow Campground, but not on hiking trails or in buildings.

Due to a road maintenance project, the park is planning on closing the Loop Road and all hiking trails to all foot and vehicle traffic from Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 24 while heavy machinery is in operation. Start and end dates are subject to change.

 

NPS Illustration / S. Lacy

Lava Flow Campground is Open, Water Not Available

The Lava Flow Campground is open for the season. The water is turned off and comfort stations are closed. RV or car camping is not permitted at the visitor center.

Due to a road maintenance project, the campground is likely to be closed to all camping Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 24 while heavy machinery is in operation. Start and end dates are subject to change.

All Lava Tube Caves are Closed

All lava tube caves are closed for the season and are typically open early June through October as conditions allow. When open, a free cave permit is required to enter the caves. Cave permits protect bats. Permits can only be obtained in person at the visitor center during business hours.

The America the Beautiful passes including the Annual, Senior, Access, Military, and Fourth Grade passes do not count as a cave permit.

 

Temporary Closures

Cave Closures During 2024

Buffalo Caves, located on the Broken Top Loop, is closed. In the Caves Area, Boy Scout Cave and Beauty Cave are closed. All other caves in the park remain closed. These caves are closed to protect bats and due to sensitive environmental conditions. Help protect bats by respecting closures.

Planning Your Trip

Conditions can change rapidly this time of year. Check these sources before travelling to the park:

• Highway Conditions - The US-93 Tom Cat Summit camera located 5 miles west of the visitor center near mile marker 226 provides live views of visibility and road conditions in the immediate area.
• Live Weather Conditions at the Visitor Center
• Weather Forecast for Craters of the Moon
• Live Smoke Map and Air Quality

 

Recreate Responsibly

When recreating, please follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. Idaho Rebound (COVID-19) Plan

 

Current Conditions at the Robert Limbert Visitor Center

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