Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve: Hiking

A cairn found in Cohab Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park.

Frank and Anne's Canyon Country Hiking and Camping Notebook.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

Campsite

This page contains information on hiking within Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.

Hiking

To venture onto the lava fields of Craters of the Moon National Monument is like entering another world. The black lava underfoot is twisted like taffy, with mounds of frothy rocks that crunch as you climb.

See Trail Descriptions for more information.
See our Backpacking Tips.
See our Day Hiking Tips.

Hiked
Check our personal notes for detailed descriptions of these trails:

Caves Trail
Distance:	1 to 2 mile round trip	Rating:	Easy
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:
Description:	This is an easy walk across an asphalt path to lava tubes and Dewdrop, Boy Scout, Beauty Caves and the Indian Tunnel. On a summer day, the cool, dark lava tubes along this trail offer a radical change from the brilliant light and blistering heat on the surface. Indian Tunnel, one-half mile from the parking lot, is the largest cave and the easiest to visit. Skylights permit enough daylight to enter so that you do not need a flashlight. The other caves are pitch black, with uneven floors and low ceilings. Be sure you have a good flashlight for every person in your group, and that everyone is physically capable before exploring these caves. A hat and long pants may help protect your head and legs from sharp rock.

Devils Orchard Nature Trail
Distance:	.5 mile loop	Rating:	Easy
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:
Description:	This is a barrier-free trail over a paved surface that allows you to explore an area of cinder beds scattered with pieces of the North Crater wall. Exhibits along the trail describe the difficult challenge the National Park Service faces in trying to protect this fragile volcanic environment. This trail is wheelchair accessible.

Inferno Cone
Distance:	.5 miles round trip	Rating:	Strenuous
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:
Description:	This walk up the side of a cinder cone has views of the surrounding volcanic landscape and distant mountains. The view includes the Great Rift, Snake River Plain, and Pioneer Mountains. On clear days you may be able to see the Teton Range, 100 miles to the east.

North Crater Flow Trail
Distance:	.25 miles one-way	Rating:	Easy
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:
Description:	This trail takes you onto the North Crater Flow, a pahoehoe flow that spilled from the North Crater vent about 2,200 years ago. Signs along the trail introduce other typical features such as pressure ridges, squeeze ups, aa lava, and rafted blocks.

North Crater Trail
Distance:	3.5 miles round trip	Rating:	Strenuous
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:
Description:	It is especially interesting for its variety. The trail traverses North Crater and drops into the crater mouth, the vent for the North Crater flow. The trail continues to the rim of Big Craters before descending to the Spatter Cones.

Tree Molds Area Trail
Distance:	2 miles round trip	Rating:	Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:
Description:	This trail winds through shrubs and stands of limber pine before reaching the edge of the Blue Dragon Flow. While still molten, this lava flow knocked down and ignited trees. The charred tree trunks left impressions in the lava rock. In other places, the trees remained standing as the lava encased them, leaving vertical molds in the cooling lava.

Wilderness Trail
Distance:	8 to 10 miles round trip	Rating:	Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:	The trailhead is .1 miles from the parking lot for the Tree Molds Area, back along the road.
Description:	The length of this hike depends upon how far into the wilderness you decide to hike. The trail goes over Broken Top Cinder Cone and crosses a pahoehoe flow close to Buffalo Caves. The caves are located 100 yards northwest of the trail, against the south side of Broken Top. You then pass a series of lave trees and several cinder cones before reaching Echo Crater. Some backpack to this point and camp overnight. Backcountry permits are required for overnight trips and are available free of charge at the Visitor Center.

Not Hiked

Big Craters from the Spatter Cones
Broken Top Loop Trail

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This page was last updated Friday, June 12, 2009

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