Craters of the Moon

About Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon National Monument preserves one of the best-preserved flood basalt areas in the continental United States, featuring a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. The monument showcases three major lava fields created by volcanic activity over the past 15,000 years, creating an otherworldly landscape that NASA has used for astronaut training. Jointly managed by the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, the area offers cave exploration, hiking trails, and educational programs about volcanic geology. The monument demonstrates the powerful forces that shaped the Snake River Plain and continues to provide insights into volcanic processes.