Caves Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
| Address: | Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Idaho, USA |
| GPS: |
43°26'45.4"N 113°32'3.0"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.0-1.3 mi |
Cave and Hike
Mapped Route/Trail Distances
| Beauty Cave | 1.3 miles Round Trip |
| Indian Tunnel | 1.0 miles Round Trip |
More Information
Add ResourceBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
- Head east on Loop RdParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(2.8 mi)
- Turn left to stay on Loop RdMay be closed at certain times or days(1.4 mi)
- Turn rightDestination will be on the right(0.1 mi)
Trails
Distance ?
1.3 miles Round TripElevation Gain ?
-18 feetReal Ascent ?
33 feetReal Descent ?
51 feetAvg Grade (0°)
-1%Grade (-7° to 4°)
-12% to 8%Distance ?
1.0 miles Round TripElevation Gain ?
18 feetReal Ascent ?
39 feetReal Descent ?
21 feetAvg Grade (0°)
1%Grade (-10° to 4°)
-18% to 7%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
Other Hiking Trails and Caves Nearby
Devil's Orchard Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
0.4 miles NWThis paved trail explores an area of cinder beds scattered with pieces of the North Crater wall. Exhibits along the trail challenge you to consider the difficulties of protecting this fragile...
Hike 0.4 mi
Inferno Cone
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
0.9 miles WCinder cones form when gas-rich volcanic froth erupts high into the air and then piles into a mound. Climb Inferno Cone, if you wish, but don't be disappointed if you are unable to locate the...
Hike 0.1 mi
Spatter Cones
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.2 miles WThese miniature volcanoes formed when blobs of molten lava were lobbed into the air during the last gasp of an eruption sequence that ended about 2,100 years ago. Craters of the Moon is well known...
Hike
Snow Cone
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.2 miles WHike near Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
Hike 1.8 mi
North Crater Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.2 miles WThis one-way trail is especially interesting for its variety. The trail traverses North Crater and drops into the crater mouth, the vent for the North Crater flow. Notice that the northwest flank of...
Hike 1.7 mi
Broken Top Loop Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.5 miles SWThe Broken Top Loop Trail provides an opportunity to hike over, under and around the youngest volcano on the Snake River Plain. The event that created this cinder cone and associated lava flows...
Cave, Hike 8.8 mi
Wilderness Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.5 miles SWYou will have a sense of solitude as you travel into the Craters of the Moon Wilderness. Begin the trail on the sidewalk that parallels the roadway and turn right to follow the direct route across a...
Cave, Hike 1.9 mi
Tree Molds Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.5 miles SWWhen molten lava advanced through this area it flowed through a grove of living trees. As the trees burned, moisture was released as steam, cooling the hot lava just enough to leave an impression of...
Hike
North Crater Flow
Arco, Idaho
1.5 miles NWHike near Arco, Idaho
Hike
Bear Trap Cave
American Falls, Idaho
33.2 miles SBear Trap Cave is a part of a lava tube which can be traced for almost 15 miles. Bear Trap lava tube probably originated from Wildhorse Corral along the Great Rift. Approximately 15,000 years old,...
Cave 0.6 mi
Hidden Mouth Cave
Moore, Idaho
36.0 miles NIt is a surprisingly large cave with three distinct chambers and a secret exit at the back for those who don't mind climbing a precariously balanced log. You can take a quad/four-wheeler half...
Cave, Hike
Lariat caves
American Falls, Idaho
40.4 miles SELariat Cave is a massive lava tube near Craters of the moon one the biggest caves in the area. the cave has a loop near the back of cave that is lots of fun to explore the loop splits about 2/3 of...
Cave 7.9 mi
Borah Peak
Mackay, Idaho
49.7 miles NThis is the highest peak in all of Idaho, standing 12,662 ft along the Lost River Range. There are several routes that can be taken in order to reach the summit with different levels of difficulty...
Hike
Kimama Wind Caves
Paul, Idaho
49.9 miles SThe Kimama Wind Caves are a series of lava tubes accessed by a crack in the middle of the desert north of Paul, Idaho. These lava tubes create a labyrinth of tunnels to explore. These tunnels should...
Camp, CaveNearby Campsites
Lava Flow Campground
Arco, Idaho
1.6 miles NWAs unique as its name, campsites are surrounded by a young lava flow. The campground is located near the visitor center and popular trails. Campground opened on May 30. Campground generally closes...
Camp
Kimama Wind Caves
Paul, Idaho
49.9 miles SThe Kimama Wind Caves are a series of lava tubes accessed by a crack in the middle of the desert north of Paul, Idaho. These lava tubes create a labyrinth of tunnels to explore. These tunnels should...
Camp, Cave
