Craters of the Moon National Monument

"The strangest 75 square miles on the North American continent," one early traveler dubbed the Craters of the Moon landscape. Other deemed it "a weird lunar landscape", " an outdoor museum of volcanism." It wasn't till 1924 that this area became a national monument. This odd landscape greatly exhibits the inner forces that shape our planet. Many ask "Where is the volcano?" The answer to this question is that there isn't just one, "here the Earth opened a great wound and lava spewed out." This volcanic activity dates back to about 15,000 years ago and stopped only 2,000 years ago. These cones, fissures, and lava flows are all a part of what is called the Great Rift Zone. Tours and other information can be found at the National Park Service Visitor Center within the park.

For more information call 208-527-3257

or write:

P.O. Box 29

Arco, Idaho 83213

Images of Craters of the Moon National Monument

Click on an icon for a larger image...

To VolcanoWorld

To National Parks