Craters of the Moon National Monument

At a glance

Visual character

“A vast lava field covering 750,000 acres of southern Idaho — black basalt cinder cones, lava tubes, and volcanic craters. Mars-like surface alien to anything else in North America. Zero vegetation across miles of terrain.”

About

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in south-central Idaho protects one of the most strikingly alien landscapes in the continental United States — a vast, undulating sea of black basalt lava flows studded with cinder cones, spatter cones, and lava tube caves. NASA trained Apollo astronauts here for lunar surface operations, and it shows: the terrain genuinely resembles extraterrestrial environments on camera. The monument encompasses 750,000 acres of wilderness, making it one of the largest NPS-managed areas in the lower 48. A paved visitor loop provides access to developed features including the North Crater Flow, the Inferno Cone overlook, and multiple lava tube cave entrances. The BLM-managed wilderness portion extends far beyond the developed core. NPS commercial filming permits required; contact the park at 208-527-1300. Ideal for science fiction, post-apocalyptic, and lunar/Mars analog productions seeking zero-budget otherworldly terrain.

Where you'll be