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Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle, 7 days
- $20[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- September[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 260,418[3]
- Campgrounds
- 1[4]
Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve is a unit of the U.S. National Park System in Idaho[5]. NPS lists a private vehicle entrance fee of $20[1] and lists the Loop Road as open from mid April to late November, depending on conditions[6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Private Vehicle[1] | $20 |
| Motorcycle[7] | $15 |
| Per Person[8] | $10 |
| Annual Entrance - Park[9] | $35 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[10].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[11] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[11] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[11] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[11] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[11] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[11] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[11] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[11] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[11] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS lists the Loop Road as open from mid April to late November, depending on conditions[6]. In 2025 the busiest month was September with 47,854 recreation visits, and the quietest was January with 2,480[2]. July had 45,783 visits and June had 43,325[2]. NPS describes hot summers and cold winters[12]. Summer air temperatures can reach the 90s, and drying winds are a daily event, especially in the afternoon[12]. NPS gives February snow depth as 26 inches in the north and 2 inches in the south[12].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 2,480 |
| February | 4,582 |
| March | 6,460 |
| April | 11,656 |
| May | 26,517 |
| June | 43,325 |
| July | 45,783 |
| August | 38,021 |
| September | 47,854 |
| October | 24,183 |
| November | 6,274 |
| December | 3,283 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 1 campground here, Lava Flow Campground, with 42 sites[4]. Nightly individual-site fees listed by NPS range from $4 to $15[4]. Check Recreation.gov or the official park page for current rules and booking details.
- Lava Flow Campground, 42 sites[4]
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, wherever pets are allowed they need to be in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less at all times[13]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, and each park can close more areas to pets[13]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 1 of its 11 things to do here, Stargazing at Craters of the Moon[14].
Before you go
- NPS lists a private vehicle fee of $20, which covers seven consecutive days[1].
- The Per Person fee is $10, and NPS notes that youth age 15 and under are free[8].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[10]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[11].
- NPS lists an Annual Entrance - Park pass at $35, sold at the park entrance station[9].
- Confirm current fees and hours on the official park page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Craters of the Moon?
- NPS lists $20 for a private vehicle, valid for seven consecutive days[1]. A motorcycle is $15[7] and the Per Person fee is $10[8].
- When is the Loop Road open?
- NPS lists the Loop Road as open from mid April to late November, depending on conditions[6].
- What is the busiest month at Craters of the Moon?
- In 2025 the busiest month was September with 47,854 recreation visits[2]. The quietest month was January with 2,480[2].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $20. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 270,829, 2022: 237,774, 2023: 257,598, 2024: 314,118, 2025: 260,418. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve (list on this page). National Park Service
- Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument & Preserve) in Idaho. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve: The Loop Road is typically open from mid April through late November as conditions allow. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $15. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $10. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $35. National Park Service
- Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 11 things to do at Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve: Visit Craters in Winter, Hike Devils Orchard, Become a Craters Junior Ranger, Visit the Spatter Cones, Explore a Cave, Stargazing at Craters of the Moon, Backpack the Craters of... National Park Service