Craters of the Moon is the name given to a huge lava landscape in the state of Idaho. Over millions of years, molten rock was repeatedly thrown upward and solidified, giving rise to bizarre rock formations and caves.
A gigantic landscape of dark lava stretches for a total of 1,600 square kilometers. There are endless fields of black rocks underfoot, angular boulders, rolling hills of dark lava, and strange towers that look otherworldly.T he landscape is so special that even in 1969, Apollo astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, Joe Engle and Eugene Cernan visited the craters in preparation for their trips to the Moon.
Origins of the Moon's craters
At the visitor center you learn that the impressive landscape was formed by volcanic activity over the last million years. The "hot spot" of North American plate, that now lies beneath Yellowstone National Park, once lay beneath the Craters of the Moon, throwing liquid granite across the area at regular intervals. The last eruption shook the area 15,000 years ago, and the last volcanic activity has been dated to 2,000 years ago.
Traveling along the Craters of the Moon Road
The visitor center is the starting point for several excursions through this fantastic crater landscape. Please note that it is strictly forbidden to step on the lava.
In addition to the trails surrounding the visitor center, there is a 7-mile loop that can be done by car. From there, asphalt roads lead into the stone desert, passing surfaces that look like melted chocolate, jagged stone walls and lava tubes.
Must-see in the Craters of the Moon
1. Lava tubes
Craters of the Moon has a series of caves created by lava tubes that guided molten magma up the surface forming this amazing landscape. When lava flow stopped, deep tubes were left behind, reaching the magma. Over the millennia, many of the tubes collapsed but some still remain. There are three main caves:
1. Indian Tunnel
2. Boy Scout
3. Beauty Cave
My favourite is the Indian Tunnel which is the largest of the caves with multiple collapses that create skylights. Watch your step and your head. Caves are cold and dark, and very easy to slip. You’ll need a permit to enter this area but you can get it directly at the visitor center of the National Park.
2. Inferno Cone
A short, steep 0.5 mile / 800 m hike. a cinder cone formed by volcanic eruptions 2,000 years ago. Be sure to climb to the top, the views are incredible.
3. Spatter Cones
Miniature volcano cones that were formed when lava droplets were spewed into the atmosphere during eruptions.
4. Snow Cone
The Snow Cone is next to the two Spatter Cones and accessible by another very short trail. This spatter cone gets its name from the fact that it’s a small, narrow, and deep crater that allows snow to reside in the bottom year-round. The viewing platform here provides a sweeping view of the stark, surrounding terrain.
Information before you go
Entrance fee: The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle. Persons entering by bicycle or by foot pay $10 per person.
Eight types of passes are accepted:
1. Annual pass $80
2. Senior pass: $80
3. Senior anual pass: $20
4. Craters of the Moon anual pass: $35
5. Fourth grader pass: Free
6. Volunteer pass: Free
7. Access pass: Free
8. Anual Pass for US Military: Free
Ideal Weather:
Spring and Fall are the best seasons to go. Summer will get very hot, especially with the sun reflecting off the black volcano rocks. Winter weather can get very extreme
Hours of operation: The Visitor Center's hours for visitors are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day). The park is open all year round, although winter snow may prevent road access from mid-November to mid-April. Today the proposal is to walk its trails, an unforgettable experience.
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