Lava Flow Campground
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Write a Review US-93 Arco, ID 83213 208-527-1300 208-527-1335 Official WebsiteGPS: 43.4611, -113.5578
Overview of Lava Flow Campground
This is a first-come, first-served campground. Due to size limitations, it's not recommended to take RVs and trailers beyond site 15. Water and flush toilets are seasonally available.
Last Price Paid: $7
Reported by Richard n Mary on 12/19/2023
Longest RV Reported: 45 feet (Class C)
Reported by CindyM on 8/5/2021
Number of Sites 42
Open Seasonally Mid-April - Nov.
Elevation 5,839 ft / 1,779 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Lava Flow Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 208-527-1300
JJ asked on 9/18/2022
Is this park open year round and if so is late October a good time to visit?
Reviews of Lava Flow Campground 60 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 13 Users
Last reported 9/28/2023
Confirmed by 17 Users
Last reported 10/7/2022
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 6/12/2023
“Tranquil campground with great views of the volcanic flow area”
Reviewed 12/19/2023
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 12 |
Overall Rating
We camped here in early August to hike in the surrounding volcanic flow area, an amazing area to explore. Our nightly rate of $7.50 reflects the Senior Pass discount. The campground drive is paved, our site was a paved pull-through site that offered plenty of space and privacy. Water and trash containers were located near the campsi... more
We camped here in early August to hike in the surrounding volcanic flow area, an amazing area to explore. Our nightly rate of $7.50 reflects the Senior Pass discount. The campground drive is paved, our site was a paved pull-through site that offered plenty of space and privacy. Water and trash containers were located near the campsite as well as a very clean modern restroom.
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Verizon
Richard n Mary would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A Funky Kind Of Campground In A Beautiful National Monument”
Reviewed 9/28/2023
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
| Site Number: | 23 |
| RV Length: | 20' (Truck Camper) |
Overall Rating
The price I paid with my Senior Pass was $7.50 for the first 2 nights and then $4 per night after the water and flush toilet bathrooms were turned off for the season. This is a unique campground with a large mix of sites laid out very differently than a typical campground. Most sites are back-in though there are some pull thrus and s... more
The price I paid with my Senior Pass was $7.50 for the first 2 nights and then $4 per night after the water and flush toilet bathrooms were turned off for the season.
This is a unique campground with a large mix of sites laid out very differently than a typical campground. Most sites are back-in though there are some pull thrus and some pull offs. There is about 6 to 10 sites which could handle a larger rig near the entrance and larger rigs are not recommended to enter the "upper loop." Most sites are not level and require some blocks. A handful of sites have great privacy, while others offer no privacy at all. For a smaller rig, I believe Site 23 (in the "upper loop") is one of the best in the camp. It offers great privacy, didn't require any leveling at all and - best of all - most of the time I was able to get a Verizon cell signal which is definitely a rarity here. All the sites are laid out within a lava field which gives the campground a very cool feel. All sites are first-come, first-served and payment is made electronically at a kiosk near the entrance. You can only pay for one night at a time, so if staying multiple days, you must get to the kiosk prior to the Noon check-out time to re-up each day of your stay. The flush toilet and pit toilets were very clean. There are water spigots located around the campground and there are no electric hook ups or dump station. There is a small amount of road noise in the upper end of the campground from traffic on US 26.
I would highly recommend taking in all the monument has to offer. It is a truly unique place and most definitely worthwhile to visit.
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Verizon 4G
Iowa Pete would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very Cool Place”
Reviewed 8/30/2023
| Days stayed: | 2 |
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| Site Number: | 12 |
| RV Length: | 29' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We stayed here 2 nights. Totally awesome place. So interesting. We found a pull through right by the bathrooms. Flush toilets. Very clean. Site 12. Have to pay daily by credit card at a kiosk. The park was really nice. We hiked a couple trails and was amazed.
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Verizon
Cinnscott22 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good Campground With Limited Privacy ”
Reviewed 6/12/2023
| Nightly rate: | $15 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 7 |
Overall Rating
Tented one night in site 7, good place for a tent and a small tree to hide the morning sun. Clean bathrooms.
The one downside is the limited privacy. Other sites are pretty close and there isn’t much in the way of vegetation to shield you from others.
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T-Mobile 4G
camper-820406 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent Campground ”
Reviewed 10/7/2022
| Days stayed: | 2 |
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| Site Number: | 32 |
Overall Rating
First come first served, sites are fairly flat so minimal leveling required. Some pull through for larger rigs. You see the most of the park in a full day. Would avoid summer months since you are in a black lava field.
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AT&T 4G
david k would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Small First Come First Serve Campground Great National Park”
Reviewed 10/4/2022
| Nightly rate: | $17 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 31 |
| RV Length: | 12' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Come early since there are no reservations. I stayed here just one night. There is enough to do here for one or two nights. I arrived on Saturday, did two of the hikes. Then woke up early on Sunday and did four more. The park is great and is really interesting. I've never hiked over lava fields or though lava tube caves before. When I ... more
Come early since there are no reservations. I stayed here just one night. There is enough to do here for one or two nights. I arrived on Saturday, did two of the hikes. Then woke up early on Sunday and did four more. The park is great and is really interesting. I've never hiked over lava fields or though lava tube caves before. When I was there all but one of the caves was closed to protect the hibernating bats.
My favorite hikes were Indian Cave, Cinder Cone and Broken Top Loop.
When you are out on the hikes there is cell phone reception just not at the campground.
Most of the campsites are small and the roads are narrow and twisty, There are a few pull through sites for larger rigs.
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Verizon
EnOne would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“great”
Reviewed 9/19/2022
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
First come first serve but was not full at 3PM. However, it did fill up by evening. No hookups, but we arrived with water and empty tanks. Good space between sites and dark sky lighting for amazing stars. Be sure to drive the scenic routes and visit the visitor center. Would stay here again.
airtime would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Do Not Miss This National Park!”
Reviewed 6/19/2022
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 35 |
| RV Length: | 26' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This is a no reservation park, so get here as close to noon as possible for the best site selection. While there is no check-in time, there is a 12:00pm checkout time. The park was usually full by 3p - 4p. Our rate was with our senior park pass. There are two large, curved pull-thrus right at the entrance. Once in the campground, ... more
This is a no reservation park, so get here as close to noon as possible for the best site selection. While there is no check-in time, there is a 12:00pm checkout time. The park was usually full by 3p - 4p. Our rate was with our senior park pass. There are two large, curved pull-thrus right at the entrance. Once in the campground, there is a "front" and "back" section. Do not head for the back section with large rigs. I was comfortable with my 26', but would not want to pull anything much longer around the curves. Those lava rocks are unforgiving! There are a few other large spots right inside the campground entrance. After that, the sites are mostly for mid-sized to small RVs.
We got a curved, pull-thru right across from a bathroom and water spigot. Had a picnic table and grill. No firepits - no fires allowed. You can only pay for one night at time so did it first thing each morning. That way, we did not have to worry about the checkout time.
As there is no dump station, we used the Exxon about 20 miles west of the campground. Around back, there is a free dump station with non-potable and potable water and air hose. There is a 2 stall self wash station with an 11' 10" entry height.
No T-Mobile service in the campground, but we could get 2 bars in Inferno Cone parking lot and full bars at the top of the cone!
We did most of the hikes including the ranger led walk to the Indian Tunnel lava tube. Very informative. The tube hike was sometimes easy / sometimes tough. If you elect to exit at the end instead of turning around, you will be climbing over large piles of lava rock. Not good for anyone with mobility issues.
The laundromat in Arco is gross. Skip it.
If you have an extra day, make the 90 mile trek to Jerome to visit the Minidoka "relocation" camp created after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is one of 10 camps used to house the west coast Japanese. Well done presentation of a darker chapter of America's history.
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T-Mobile
David & Maryann would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Unique experience, rugged landscape”
Reviewed 6/13/2022
| Nightly rate: | $15 |
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| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | 2 |
Overall Rating
Thank you Elon for Starlink else I could not stay here. Zut Verizon or Cricket Great campground, friendly staff. No hookups but potable water available. The National Monument is so different. The stark, barren countryside is so rugged it’s beautiful Not that many big rig sites, so pity it’s only fcfs, especially as it is s... more
Thank you Elon for Starlink else I could not stay here. Zut Verizon or Cricket
Great campground, friendly staff. No hookups but potable water available.
The National Monument is so different. The stark, barren countryside is so rugged it’s beautiful
Not that many big rig sites, so pity it’s only fcfs, especially as it is so remote.
Loved the visit
Did not use facilities so cannot comment on them
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Verizon
MoHoRV would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“unexpected treasure”
Reviewed 6/8/2022
| Nightly rate: | $15 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 33 |
Overall Rating
we didn't expect such a wonderful campground and park experience. fun spelunking and hiking. wildflowers everywhere. clean bathrooms. friendly staff.
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AT&T 5G
carlala would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- ADA Accessible
- recycle
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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