Craters of the Moon National Wilderness, Volcanic wilderness area in Snake River Plain, Idaho.
Craters of the Moon National Wilderness is a protected area spanning 43,000 acres of dark volcanic rock in southern Idaho with numerous cinder cones and deep rift cracks across the landscape. The terrain displays volcanic activity everywhere, with lava fields and fissures that extend across vast distances.
The region was shaped by volcanic eruptions roughly 2,000 to 2,500 years ago that created the black lava landscape visible today. Later, local peoples used these volcanic fields as travel routes, as evidenced by ancient stone circles still visible in the area.
The Robert Limbert Visitor Center displays educational exhibits about regional geology and the local environment that visitors can observe firsthand while walking through the landscape. These resources help people understand the volcanic formations and natural patterns they encounter throughout the area.
Visitors should bring plenty of water since no water sources exist in the area and the heat can be intense across the open volcanic landscape. Overnight stays require a free permit, which is available at the visitor center.
The area contains one of the deepest known volcanic rift cracks on Earth, plunging over 200 meters (800 feet) deep in places and sheltering specialized animals. These extreme habitats support plants and insects found nowhere else in the region.
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