Spatter Cones
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
| Address: | Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Idaho, USA |
| GPS: |
43°26'30.1"N 113°33'27.7"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.1 mi |
Restrooms Pet Friendly Bicycles Motorized Use
Hike
These miniature volcanoes formed when blobs of molten lava were lobbed into the air during the last gasp of an eruption sequence that ended about 2,100 years ago. Craters of the Moon is well known for these beautiful volcanic features. Please help protect them by staying on trails.
Like Yellowstone's Old Faithful, the spatter cone chain at Craters of the Moon best symbolizes the essence of this special place. Created during a dwindling stage of an eruption, the spatter cones formed as hot lumps of lava were thrown a short distance into the air only to fall back to earth around a small central vent. As the still molten blobs landed on top of each other, they cooled and adhered to nearby pieces to form the walls of what could be considered a mini-volcano. The Snow Cone portion of the Spatter Cones Trail is fully accessible.Courtesy of nps.gov
More Information
Add ResourceBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
- Head east on Loop RdParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(2.8 mi)
- Continue straight (0.1 mi)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Snow Cone
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
0.0 miles NWHike near Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
Hike 1.8 mi
North Crater Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
0.0 miles NWA one-way trail through North Crater and Big Craters at Craters of the Moon — dropping into a volcanic crater mouth and ending at Spatter Cones, with fragile lava formations off-limits to protect.
Hike 0.4 mi
Inferno Cone
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
0.3 miles EA steep climb up Inferno Cone at Craters of the Moon, rewarded with panoramic views of the Great Rift, Snake River Plain, and Pioneer Mountains — and on clear days, the Tetons 100 miles away.
Hike 1.7 mi
Broken Top Loop Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.1 miles SEA hike over, under, and around a 2,000-year-old cinder cone and lava flows in Craters of the Moon, with access to Buffalo Cave — bring a flashlight and free permit.
Cave, Hike 1.9 mi
Tree Molds Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.1 miles SEA paved trail winding through Craters of the Moon Wilderness to a lava flow that captured the shapes of fallen and standing trees in cooling rock — look for wooden posts marking the molds.
Hike 8.8 mi
Wilderness Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.1 miles SEA solitary wilderness hike through young lava flows and cinder cones at Craters of the Moon, passing lava trees and ending near Echo Crater — a great backcountry camping spot.
Cave, Hike
North Crater Flow
Arco, Idaho
1.1 miles NHike near Arco, Idaho
Hike 0.5 mi
Devil's Orchard Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.2 miles NEA paved, wheelchair-accessible trail through cinder beds and ancient North Crater wall fragments, with exhibits on protecting this fragile volcanic environment.
Hike 1.0-1.3 mi
Caves Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.2 miles ECave and Hike near Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
Cave, Hike 0.6 mi
Hidden Mouth Cave
Moore, Idaho
36.5 miles NA surprisingly large lava cave with three chambers and a secret back exit — reached by quad or a quarter-mile steep hike above Moore, Idaho.
Cave, Hike 7.9 mi
Borah Peak
Mackay, Idaho
49.7 miles NIdaho's highest peak at 12,662 feet offers a Class 3-4 summit route along 'Chicken-out' Ridge — complete with a snow knife-edge, talus, and the kind of exposure that separates the committed from the casual.
HikeNearby Campsites
Lava Flow Campground
Arco, Idaho
1.3 miles NA campground surrounded by a young lava flow near the Craters of the Moon visitor center and popular trails — 42 first-come sites at $15/night during main season.
Camp
Kimama Wind Caves
Paul, Idaho
49.2 miles SA labyrinth of lava tubes in the desert north of Paul — tight crawls, varying ceiling heights, and graffiti throughout — strictly for experienced cavers with proper lights.
Camp, Cave
