Good to know
- Tickets
- The monument charges an entry fee per vehicle, covered by the America the Beautiful pass. Check nps.gov for current rates. Cave permits are free at the visitor center.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day for the loop road, short hikes and caves.
- Best time
- Late May to June for wildflowers, and September for cooler days. The loop road closes to cars from about mid-November to mid-April.
- Getting there
- Arco is about 20 minutes away. Idaho Falls Regional Airport and Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey are each about 1.5 hours by car.
Where to stay nearby
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Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve questions
Do you need a permit for the caves at Craters of the Moon?
Yes, a free cave permit from the visitor center is required. Rangers check that you have not been in caves elsewhere to protect bats from disease.
Is the Loop Road open in winter?
No. It closes to vehicles from about mid-November to mid-April and is groomed for skiing and snowshoeing.
Is Craters of the Moon worth visiting?
Yes, especially as a stop between Yellowstone or Sun Valley and Boise. Its lava tube caves and cinder cones are unlike anywhere else in the region.
