Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve
ID

Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Hours

Open 24 hours

Entrance Fee

$20.00

Entrance - Private Vehicle

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Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve at a glance

Best time
April–May, September–October
Trip length
1–2 days
Don't miss
Hike the North Crater Trail
Nearby city
Arco, ID

Explore this park

About Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow.

2 current NPS alerts

  • Park Closure: Park Bookstore Update
  • Caution: Navigation

Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 1, 2026). Official Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve page on nps.gov

Weather Information

Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. Intense summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 170°F and air temperatures in the 90s. Drying winds are a daily occurrence, especially in the afternoon, and may reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.

Entrance Fees

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

$100.00

This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

Commercial Entrance - Van

$40.00

This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

$25.00

This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

Entrance - Private Vehicle

$20.00

This per-vehicle fee applies to private, non-commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. The fee covers the driver and any passengers.

Entrance - Motorcycle

$15.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Entrance - Per Person

$10.00

This per-person fee provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. Youth age 15 and under are free.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

Free

Classes or groups from accredited academic institutions may apply for a fee waiver ahead of their visit by contacting the park. Academic fee waivers are not granted automatically. Educational groups must apply and meet the two criteria to receive a fee waiver: 1) eligibility and 2) educational purpose and relevance of park resources or facilities. Groups that choose to not make a reservation or apply for an academic fee waiver will be charged the standard entrance fee per vehicle.

Operating Hours

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

The Loop Road is typically open from mid April through late November as conditions allow.

  • MondayAll Day
  • TuesdayAll Day
  • WednesdayAll Day
  • ThursdayAll Day
  • FridayAll Day
  • SaturdayAll Day
  • SundayAll Day

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

$35.00

Annual entrance pass for Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve only. Valid for one year through the month of purchase. This pass can be purchased at the park entrance station.

Common questions

Planning Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.

Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.