National Parks 2023: Craters of the Moon NM & P

It’s time for the annual National Parks Club! Find out information about participating shops, Vacay Bingo, the KAL, and more here.

Where is it located?

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a U.S. national monument and national preserve in the Snake River Plain in central Idaho. It is along US 20, between the small towns of Arco and Carey, at an average elevation of 5,900 feet above sea level.

Whose land does it reside upon?

Humans have inhabited the Snake River Plain since at least the end of the last Ice Age, first showing up in the archeological record 12,000- 14,000 years ago. Members of the Shoshone and Bannock tribes and their ancestors had the most contact among native inhabitants with the lava fields of Craters of the Moon. The Shoshone were a branch of the Northern Shoshone that inhabited the upper Columbia River Basin, while the Bannock were a branch of the Northern Paiute. These two groups both occupied the Snake River Plain, intermingled, travelled and hunted together, and otherwise coexisted while speaking slightly different languages.

When was it established?

The Monument was established on May 2, 1924

About this park:

Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this “weird and scenic landscape” where yesterday’s volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow. The Monument contains numerous cultural as well as natural resources.

Why did we choose these colors?

The main photo on the park’s home page (linked here: https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm) was the inspiration for our colorway. 

For more information:

NPS website: https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CratersoftheMoon_NPS/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CratersoftheMoonNPS