Portion of Craters of the Moon now open to motor vehicles

The following is a news release from the National Park Service.

ARCO – The National Park Service has reopened a portion of the Loop Road and the Lava Flow Campground at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in southern Idaho to motor vehicle travel after removing enough snow and ice from those areas to make it possible and safe.

Visitors traveling in motor vehicles can now drive on the Loop Road from the Visitor Center to the North Crater Flow Trail and the east loop of the Lava Flow Campground is accessible to motor vehicles for camping. Visitors are welcome to walk or ride bikes on the rest of the seven-mile Loop Road and to other loops of the Lava Flow Campground, although segments of the road and campground will be temporarily closed when heavy equipment is being used to remove snow and ice to ensure public and NPS staff safety.

The NPS closes the Loop Road and Lava Flow Campground to motor vehicles each year, generally from the late fall to late spring, when snow and ice accumulations create hazardous conditions. The Loop Road remains open during the winter motor vehicle closure to visitors for walking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. During the winter motor vehicle closure, tent camping remains available, with backcountry permits required. Visitors may walk, bike, snowshoe or cross-country ski their camping gear into the Lava Flow Campground or the parking lots at the Devils Orchard or Caves areas.

Visitors are encouraged to check the Craters of the Moon website for the status of the Loop Road, Lava Flow Campground, and other areas as conditions will change over the next few weeks during the transition from spring to summer. Visitors are also welcome to call the Craters of the Moon Visitor Center for current information at (208) 527-1335.