Tree Molds Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
| Address: | Tree Molds Trail, Idaho 83213, USA |
| GPS: |
43°25'39.6"N 113°32'55.4"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.9 mi |
Restrooms Pet Friendly Bicycles Motorized Use
Hike
When molten lava advanced through this area it flowed through a grove of living trees. As the trees burned, moisture was released as steam, cooling the hot lava just enough to leave an impression of the charred wood on the surface.
Tree molds may appear as vertical holes in the lava, or if the tree fell on to the surface of a molten flow, a horizontal mold. Look for wooden posts that indicate the location of both types of tree molds near the end of this trail.
Follow the paved ramp that goes south of the trailhead sign near the parking lot. This trail winds through shrubs and stands of limber pine within the Craters of the Moon Wilderness before reaching the edge of the Blue Dragon Flow. While still molten, this lava flow knocked down and ignited trees. The charred tree trunks left impressions in the lava rock. In other places, the trees remained standing as the lava encased them, leaving vertical molds in the cooling lava.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.
Read More
- 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)
- Turn left to stay on Loop RdMay be closed at certain times or days(0.7 mi)
- Turn right (0.3 mi)
- Keep left (0.3 mi)
- Keep right (0.7 mi)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Broken Top Loop Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
0.0 miles NEA 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 8.8 mi
Wilderness Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
0.0 miles EA 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 0.1 mi
Spatter Cones
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.1 miles NWMiniature volcanoes formed by lobbed molten lava blobs at Craters of the Moon — a must-see feature that symbolizes this unique national monument; stay on trails to protect the delicate spatter cones.
Hike
Snow Cone
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.1 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
1.1 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
1.1 miles NA 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 1.0-1.3 mi
Caves Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.5 miles NECave and Hike near Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
Cave, Hike 0.5 mi
Devil's Orchard Trail
Visitors Center, Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.7 miles NA paved, wheelchair-accessible trail through cinder beds and ancient North Crater wall fragments, with exhibits on protecting this fragile volcanic environment.
Hike
North Crater Flow
Arco, Idaho
2.1 miles NHike near Arco, Idaho
Hike 0.6 mi
Hidden Mouth Cave
Moore, Idaho
37.4 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, HikeNearby Campsites
Lava Flow Campground
Arco, Idaho
2.3 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
48.5 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
