Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. The area is a geologic wonderland with a central feature of the Great Rift, a 52-mile long crack in the Earth's crust. The landscape was formed by eruptions that started 15,000 years ago and represents the last period of volcanic activity in this area. The most recent activity occurred just 2,100 years ago, and is likely to continue. The monument offers opportunities for hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, and backcountry travel. The area is also home to a surprising diversity of plant and animal life, with annual wildflower blooms peaking in mid-June. The monument is managed jointly by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management