We had a long drive from Ketchum Idaho over to the Tetons and were weighing our options on whether to stop or not. The whole route you could see volcanic debris similar to what's in Craters of the moon. However, we already had our park pass so we knew it wasn't going to cost us to get in and we needed to stretch our legs and use the bathroom at The Visitor Center so why not. Spent an hour and a half driving through the park, getting out at stops. And snapping a few pictures. I would say it was definitely worth it. Kids seem to love the look of the volcanic field. I thought it was pretty and got some really cool pictures. Like I said if you have your park pass and you need to stretch your legs I would definitely stop.

Having been to fresh lava fields in Hawaii, this was interesting to see old lava flows with trees and other plants growing out of them. It is an interesting juxtaposition to stand in a lava field and look at the grass covered hills in the near distance. If you have the time, hike out on one of the trails to get away from the parking lot views.

First, the nice thing about this place is that since it is off the beaten path, it is not crowded, like some parks and monuments can get. It is set up with a visitors center, campgrounds, a loop road, and a few side roads, as well as trails of varying length. It is reminiscent of the lava fields on the Big Island of Hawaii, even though it is in the lower part of Idaho. One activity I passed on was climbing to the top of a small cinder cone. There is a short, paved loop trail, less than a quarter mile in length. Very easy. Even a mom with a stroller was on it. It's called the Devil's Orchard Nature Trail. Wheel chair accessible, as is the Spatter Cones Trail, which is only a few yards long. For the more adventurous, there are lava tube caves, as well as a few long trails, one called the Wilderness Trail. Overall, though, you are spending time in a huge lava field. It should be noted that pets are not permitted on trails and drones are also not allowed.

So this is not a place you just happen to drive by. It is a must see location that you have to make a point to drive out to. If you are camping it is a first come first get the spot. All RV will not fit in some spots. You must plan your arrival when people are leaving, don’t expect to pull in at last minute in the evening & get a spot. We found a pretty good spot, but the next day grabbed an even better one. No hook ups but water is available in certain areas to add to your RV. Wings can pick up quickly so pull in those awnings. Saw one RV had its awning ripped off while they were out hiking. Hiking was very interesting/unusual. No shade so be prepared with plenty of water. Careful you don’t do what we did (11 miles), because we didn’t want to move RV we did the long loop. The night skies are amazing. This place is a must see at least once in a life time. The Indian caverns were really cool to hike down into.

Craters of the Moon is a national monument that you can visit with the National Park pass of the NPS. It is quite small and quiet, but it is worth the visit. The trails are long and boring sometimes with some information next to the trails itself. If you want to do something real special, visit the Indian Cave, and do a hike right there. There is no food or drinks available on the site, but you can always take your own.

We read some reviews and prepared for our visit to Craters of the Moon NM. We were not disappointed! Strangely scenic amid all the black rock and lava fields. Start with the visitor center to get your bearings, then you can drive through the park, doesn't take long, or you can get out at various places and do some hikes, easy or challenging. For an easy well laid out trail try Devil's Orchard. For a little more challenging trail we also climbed into Indian Tunnel cave which has awesome views. Plenty of other trails are available , depending on your skill and energy. We probably spent more than 4 enjoyable hours there. Bring water, there is minimal shade.

I had never heard of this park but happened to spot it on a map and so added it to our itinerary while we were in the area. This is truly a unique and beautiful place. It serves as a reminder of the true awesomeness of Mother Nature. In the middle of the Idaho desert lies a lava field old enough for plants to have returned and thrive. Words don’t do it justice…don’t pass this park up!

Craters of the Moon is well designed with pathways designed to camouflage throughout the lava rock. It's way off the beaten path and therefore totally quiet. I could appreciate the rave reviews about star gazing from some campers as there isn't a street light in sight for miles. Just be sure to wear some sturdy walking shoes - especially if you plan to explore in the caves!

We had a fantastic experience at Craters of the Moon! I highly recommend this place -- so unique!! First, we visited the Visitors Center, where they had displays about how the area was created and the history/ geology. We also grabbed a permit to enter the caves (you have to get a permit at the Visitor Center to do this!). Then we had a picnic at the tables by the visitor center -- located right by the parking lot. (There are also picnic tables in other areas of the park, but they aren't as shaded -- the ones by the Visitor Center have trees by them.) We weren't the only ones doing a picnic - this park is very isolated and doesn't have a restaurant (and there are no towns that close). We did the Loop Road and stopped at several things. I didn't think the Devil's Orchard Trail was that good (the only interpretive signs were about how important it was to stay on the trail - nothing about the plants or formations), but we REALLY enjoyed the Inferno Cone, the Splatter Cones and Snow Cone, and the Caves Trail (Indian Tunnel and Dewdrop Cave). We did not go very far into Dewdrop Cave because it was a little crowded and dark. But Indian Tunnel is more lit and is easier to traverse. We arrive around 11:30 am, did the Visitor Center in less than a half hour, then ate lunch until about 12:30. We did all the other trails and drop the Loop Road in about 2-3 hours. Highly recommend this unusual place!!

I really enjoyed this place...fairly simple, beautiful scenery, and not very crowded. Of course, it helps if you find volcanoes, lava, and lava tubes interesting. Our itinerary was not too lengthy (easy half day) and gave us a great experience: 1. We started at the visitor center, checked out the short movie and got a permit for the lava tubes. We then proceeded to drive the entire road, stopping at various areas to check things out. The drive itself is quite scenic. 2. We walked up Inferno Cone (pretty steep but doable) and checked out the wonderful views from the top. 3. We then drove across the road and checked out the Snow Cone and Spatter Cones (sort of interesting). 4. We next drove to the end of the road and hiked the Broken Top Loop Trail (about 2 miles total) which we found very scenic and refreshing. Be sure to pick up a guide at the trailhead. 5. Finally, we continued up the road and stopped at the trailhead to hike out to the lava tubes. The trail is paved and undulates across the lava field. On a hot day, this can be quite uncomfortable (but the caves are nice and cool). This was truly the highlight of the visit. Dewdrop cave is short but nice and is a great place to cool off. We then hiked all the way through Indian Tunnel...about 800 feet from entrance to exit. This was marvelous, but keep in mind that it is very rocky. Don't bonk your head on the way out! Craters of the Moon is probably not for everyone, but I think it's awesome!