Camping in Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Step into another world when you visit central Idaho. Unlike science projects made of paper mache, the remains at Craters of the Moon National Monument developed from a weak spot in the earth’s crust called the Great Rift. This area was once volcanically active and the results are a landscape that looks like it belongs on the moon. With names such as Big Sink, Beauty Cave, Inferno Cone, and Snow Cone, it's no wonder why people call this area "scenic and weird."

Gray and black basalt cover the earth, leaving it barren and rocky. Other parts of this nature preserve teem with wildflowers and color during the summer. The gray rock contrasts the green foliage and bright flowers, almost as if Mother Nature is painting on a blank canvas.

This national park is huge — almost the size of Rhode Island — and it offers you several days' worth of activities. The unusual terrain provides a diverse range of volcanic formations. There are volcanic rifts, cinder cones, lava tube caves, spatter cones and shield volcanoes. All of this area is yours to explore during warm months of the year when snow doesn't block the roads. Adventurous campers can hike into the campground for snow camping in the winter.

A 7-mile loop road takes you to a number of trailheads. These trails lead to around a dozen scenic vistas looking out over twisted rock formations. Some areas offer rustic and wilderness camping if you want to spend several days hiking throughout the park. If you want to go caving, you need a permit.

Ranger-led tours are popular during the summer and are great for kids. Make sure to pack a hat and sunscreen for the summer months when the sun is overhead.