Drive Loop Road, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

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The seven-mile loop road in Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho provides unequaled opportunities to explore the National Monument; including access to trails that take you over, under, and around various volcanic features. Trail mileages are round-trip distances. Allow half an hour for the drive itself and more time for stopping at viewpoints and for hiking the trails. Start at the Visitor Center with stops at the following locations: North Crater Flow: A short trail (0.25 mile) crosses one of the youngest flows to monoliths-crater fragments rafted here by lava flows. A nearby longer trail (3.5 miles) winds through the vent of North Crater, past the Big Craters to the Spatter Cones parking lot. Devils Orchard: Island-like lava fragments stand in a sea of cinders. Take the spur road and short walk (0.5 mile, accessible) through these weird features. Learn about how human impacts on the park, and how the park is being protected today. Inferno Cone: Take in the view from the overlook or climb the cinder path to the top of the cone (a short, steep 0.5 milewalk). Either way the views are magnificent. Spatter cones: Take the short accessible trail to view these miniature volcanoes. You can also view the spectacular Big Craters by hiking a steep 0.5-mile portion of the North Crater trail that branches off to the west. Tree Molds and Broken Top Loop: A spur road just past Inferno Cone leads to this trailhead. View the imprint of lava-charred trees alond the Tree Molds Trail (2 miles). Broken-Top Loop Trail circumnavigates a cinder cone (1.8 miles). The Wilderness Trail leads to molds of upright trees called lava trees (4 miles) and the vast wilderness area beyond. Caves: See lava tubes-Dewdrop, Boy Scout, Beauty, and Indian Tunnel-via a 0.5 mile trail across the lava. Wear sturdy close-toed shoes and bring a flashlight and a cave permit. Source: NPS

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