Craters of the Moon National Wilderness Area Area

Craters of the Moon National Wilderness Area spans over 43,000 acres of remote backcountry in Idaho, offering a stark and dramatic volcanic landscape accessible only on foot. This is true wilderness — no roads, motors, or mechanized travel of any kind are permitted. Visitors come here to hike and backpack through primitive terrain, seeking solitude and an untrammeled experience far from developed facilities.

The wilderness operates under strict Leave No Trace principles. You must pack out everything you pack in, camp responsibly, and travel by your own power only. Access requires advance planning; there are no visitor services within the wilderness boundary itself. Spring through fall offers the most reliable visiting window, though snow and extreme cold make winter travel hazardous and difficult. This is a place for experienced backcountry travelers comfortable with self-reliance and minimal infrastructure.