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Craters Of The Moon National Monument

Arco, ID

Established in 1924, Craters of the Moon National Monument celebrated its 75th birthday in 1999. On November 9, 2000, President Clinton issued a proclamation greatly expanding the size of Craters of the Moon National Monument and designating that it be cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The Craters of the Moon (COM) lava field covers 618 square miles and is the largest young basaltic lava field in the conterminous United States. The park contains more than 25 volcanic cones including outstanding examples of spatter cones. There are 60 different lava flows in the COM field and they range in age from 15,000 to just 2,000 years old.

The Kings Bowl and Wapi lava fields, which are about 2,200 years old, are also now part of the monument. All 3 lava fields lie along the Great Rift, with some of the best examples of open rift cracks in the world. There are excellent examples of pahoehoe, slabby pahoehoe, shelly pahoehoe, spiny pahoehoe, aa, and block lava, as well as rafted blocks, tree molds, lava tubes, and many other volcanic features.

Although a desolate looking place at first glance, the Monument thrives with wildlife. More than 370 species of plants and 51 mammals have been be found in the Monument and more than 170 different species of birds have been seen here. A 7 mile loop drive at the north end of the Monument provides unique views. Hiking trails range from 1/4 to 11 miles round trip.

CONTACTS

Email - CRMO_Information@nps.gov

Fax- 208-527-3073

Write to
Craters of the Moon National Monument
National Park Service
P.O. Box 29, Arco, ID 83213

- or -
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Bureau of Land Management
Shoshone Field Office, P.O. Box 2B, Shoshone, ID 83352

Phone
Visitor Information - (208) 527-3257
Headquarters - (208) 527-3257

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The Monument is open 24 hours all year. The visitor center (for hours see Robert Limbert Visitor Center)has a recently remodeled museum with state of the art exhibits that explain the natural and cultural history of the area.

Getting There
PLANE - Nearest airports are located in Hailey, Idaho (60 miles), Idaho Falls, Idaho (84 miles), and Twin Falls, Idaho (90 miles)

CAR - 18 miles west of Arco, Idaho on Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles east of Carey, Idaho on Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - None

Weather & Climate
High Desert Climate; Elevation at the visitor center is 5,900 feet. Average High/Low Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit: Jan. 29/10; Feb. 35/16; March 41/21; April 54/28; May 63/37; June 73/47; July 84/51; Aug. 80/45; Sept. 71/41; Oct. 61/31; Nov. 39/22; Dec. 31/12

Monthly Average Precipitation/Snowfall/Snowpack in inches: Jan. 2.6/21/30.2; Feb. 1.7/22.5/34.1; March 1.2/6.8/31; April 1/3.3/14.6; May 1.6/2.6/2.2; June 1.8/0/0; July 0.5/0/0; Aug. 0.8/0/0; Sept. 1/0.4/0; Oct. 0.8/1/0.1; Nov. 1.5/7/5; Dec. 2.0/15/17

Accessibility
Visitor Center is wheel chair accessible including restrooms. Deveil's Orchard Trail is a 1/2 mile wheelchair accessible loop trail. Campground Restroom is accessible.

Getting Around
No public transportation.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
INDIVIDUAL (FOOT OR BICYCLE)
$3.00 for 7 Days

PRIVATE VEHICLE
$5.00 for 7 Days

Permits
WILDERNESS CAMPING
Free!
Required for overnight camping in the Craters of the Moon Wilderness Area. Free permits are available at the Visitor Center.

CAMPING

Craters of the Moon Lava Flow Campground
Closure dates vary depending upon snow conditions.
A 52-sites are available on a first come first serve basis; no reservations are accepted. Water, restrooms, charcoal grills, and picnic tables are provided. There are no hookups or showers, and no wood fires are permitted. Quiet hours are from 9 PM to 6 AM (no generators running, loud music, etc.). From October through May, water and other services are limited or unavailable. Campground is not plowed of snow in winter and the loop drive is closed at the visitor center. Skiers and snowshoers may winter camp at the campground (1/4 mile ski or snowshoe from the visitor center) or at Devil's Orchard (2 1/4 mile ski or snowshoe from the visitor center); shovel is required.

Group Camp
Mid-May through September depending upon weather conditions.
Campsite for large groups. Available by reservation only. Picnic tables, drinking water, fire grate and vault restroom are provided. Fee charged.Thirty person maximum group size. The Group Campsite will be closed the remainder of the year 2001 while the Monument's main water line is repaired.
For More Information on this campground please call 208-527-3257

LODGING

Off-Site Lodging
All year, lodging is available in Arco, 18 miles from the monument. Contact Lost River Visitor Center for more information (208) 527-8977 E-Mail: lrvc@cyberhighway.net

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
ROBERT LIMBERT VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Phone - 208/527/3257
Location - The visitor center is located right off the highway at the start of the loop drive.
Closures - Visitor Center is closed on Sundays and Federal Holidays from Nov. 18, 2001 to Mid-April 2002.
Exhibits - Museum, located in the visitor center, was remodled in 1997 and contains state of the art exhibits that explain the natural and cultural history of the area.
Available Facilities - The visitor center contains an extensive bookstore that also carries a variety of visitor convenience items. A snack machine, pop machine, and pay phone are also available at the visitor center. Restrooms with running water are available at the visitor center during open hours.

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