Do you like a little volcanic depression?
If you have half a day off from Yellowstone, you can head 230 miles southwest to Crater of the Moon National Park. This interesting landscape is a proud bearer of its name, because what it offers you is really a lunar landscape.
Crater of the Moon - view of a volcanic cone
The vast area northwest of Salt Lake City, Idaho, is made up of hardened lava that flowed 15,000 years ago, but not from a volcano, as nine out of ten people might expect, but from landslides. chicken. It is not very well known, but do not worry, not only its size can compete with more touristy natural parks. Here you will find strange lava sculptures, lava cones (Inferno Cone) and huge lava fields, which from a distance look like freshly plowed fields.
Crater of the Moon - cave
The rolling lava has also created an admirable cave system. You will need a permit to enter it. This can be picked up at the visitor center. Then pack a good flashlight and quality shoes with it. It is as dark as a backpack, and it jumps from gravel to gravel, so watch your ankles. It's also not uncommon for a bat to fly around your head. Brr! But the truth is that we descended into the caves and had no permit. And I don't think the other fellow visitors we met downstairs had it. The hiking trail to the caves is about 1 km long, it splits in half. The right branch leads to the Indian Tunnel. The left ends at the Beauty Cave.
Crater of the Moon - no man's land
The sightseeing circuit that leads through the nature park is quite short. It has only 7 miles. But make no mistake, the lava area covers about 1600 km2 of land. It is therefore about 80 km long and 20 km wide. Upon entry, they accept the Annual Pass. We didn't like the weather when we visited. Although at the end of the summer, a strong haze hovered above the ground. So the lunar landscape was a little sad. Damage. The dark eruption could contrast nicely with the blue sky. But I believe that the weather will work for you! See you!
Articles nearby
Giga List: The most beautiful places of the west USA
West US: California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and partly also Colorado are renowned for beautiful national parks. You will find the… continue reading
Giga List: The most beautiful national parks in the USA
In the US you will find some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. It's not just the oldest Yellowstone National… continue reading
Giga List: The most beautiful trips in the western USA
Thanks to the beautiful landscape and dozens of national and state parks in the western United States, you can take some of the… continue reading