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.
• Flush toilets and drinking water are only available in the visitor center when open. When the Loop Road is open, vault toilets are available at Devils Orchard.
• Check the local weather forecast before driving to the park. The park is open 24 hours but temporary closures of the highway may occur due to winter storm 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 Closed Past Devil's Orchard; Open to Devil's Orchard April 22-29

The Loop Road and all trails beyond Devil's Orchard are closed to vehicles, hiking, and biking while road maintenance takes place from Monday April 22 to Monday April 29.
End date is subject to change.

The Loop Road will be open to Devil's Orchard. North Crater Flow Trail, North Crater Trail, and Devil's Orchard Nature Trail will be the only trails accessible during these dates. The rest of the road and trails will remain closed to all foot and wheeled traffic while heavy machinery is in operation on these dates. We appologize for the inconvenience. View maps of Craters of the Moon and the Loop Road area.

 

NPS Illustration / S. Lacy

Lava Flow Campground is Closed at Least Through April 29

The Lava Flow Campground is currently closed to vehicles and walk-in tent camping and will remain closed through April 29. The water has been turned off for the season and comfort stations are closed. RV or car camping is not permitted at the visitor center.

All Lava Tube Caves are Closed for the Season

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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