Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is one of the best places in the world to see the effects of volcanism. Visitors are captivated by the sight of lava tubes, spatter cones, cinder cones and several types of lava flows. This is not all! You'll also encounter the plants and animals associated with the varied lava habitats.

This preserve encompasses most of the Great Rift, which is the best example of a volcanic rift zone on the eastern Snake River Plain. Here, you'll find three major lava fields and about 400 square miles of sagebrush steppe grasslands. The Kings Bowl and Wapi lava fields and much of the Craters of the Moon lava field are younger and therefore least withered, making them phenomenal locations for observing geologic features associated with basaltic volcanism. This area is managed jointly by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Ranger-led walks, self-guided tours and displays are available year-round. Be sure to spend some time at the visitor center, which is located near the entrance to the monument. There are various publications as well as a short film about the geology of the area, which will help you get oriented with the area.