Craters of the Moon National Monument
Craters of the Moon is a vast sea of black lava rock left behind by old volcanic eruptions in central Idaho. Visitors can walk across the strange dark ground, peek into deep craters, and even explore cool lava caves.
It is famous because the land looks so much like the surface of the moon that astronauts once trained here. Families love climbing the cinder cones and feeling like explorers on another world.
Volcanic Scenery
The whole area is covered in black lava rock, cinder cones, and twisted stone shapes that formed when hot lava cooled long ago.
Lava Caves
Underground tubes made by flowing lava form real caves that visitors can walk into with a flashlight and a helmet.
Weather
Summers are hot and the dark rock soaks up the sun, so it is best to visit in spring or fall and bring plenty of water.