If You're NearbyNatureVolcanoesLava

Craters of the Moon

Idaho

A huge black lava sea with cinder cones and caves in Idaho. Apollo astronauts trained here.

Photo: BroMcjoe · CC BY-SA 4.0

This is a landscape of black lava so strange that Apollo 14's astronauts practiced geology here. A 7-mile loop leads to the Inferno Cone and lava tube caves that you can walk through, with a free permit.

Best Time
May–June and September–October
Time Needed
Half a day
Cost Level
$$$$
Open
Check before you go; hours vary by season
Getting There
About three hours by car east of Boise.

What to See

0 of 2 are free
30 minutes

Inferno Cone

A short, steep climb up black cinders for a great view.

1 hour

Indian Tunnel

A big lava tube cave; get the free permit at the visitor center.

Know Before You Go

  • It's hot and has no shade in summer, and the road closes in winter.

Where to Stay

Stay in Arco, Idaho, or Sun Valley.

Where to Eat

Our picks are on the way.

Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.

Something wrong or out of date?

Traveler Reviews

Sign in and mark Craters of the Moon as visited to write a review.

Go Next

If You're Nearby
Mountains · Skiing

Sun Valley and the Sawtooths

Idaho

America's first destination ski resort, where Hemingway lived, and the wild Sawtooth Range nearby.

Full Guide
If You're Nearby
Cities · Good to know

Boise

Idaho

Idaho's capital and fastest-growing city, with a river greenbelt and the famous blue football field.

Full Guide
Must-See
Nature · National parks

Yellowstone

Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

Half the world's geysers, plus bison and wolves you can actually see.

Full Guide

Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Rocky Mountains list.