Craters of the Moon

Long before humans walked on the moon, this corner of Idaho looked like it already had. Craters of the Moon National Monument is a landscape stripped of familiarity: vast lava fields, cinder cones rising like ancient sentinels, and caves carved by rivers of molten rock. This official National Park Service guide walks you through the science and spirit of America's most otherworldly terrain, explaining how a chain of volcanic eruptions over 15,000 years ago carved this moonscape into existence. But the story doesn't end with stone. Life persists here in stubborn, beautiful forms: lichens that crack open basalt, pocket mice that navigate by starlight, and plants that bloom in defiance of razor-sharp lava. Whether you're planning a visit or exploring from home, this handbook is your key to understanding a place that makes you wonder if you've somehow left Earth.