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.
“Nice place, clean, friendling staff.”
Reviewed 6/8/2022
Nightly rate: | $15 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 36 |
RV Length: | 36' (Fifth Wheel) |
A very interesting views all around the area. The sits are mostly small. If you have a big rig, get here early. There are not a lot of big sites, and some would be large enough but, a lot are pull throughs that have too much of a curve that make it hard to get into the space. I have also seen very small (tear drops) take up the lar... more
A very interesting views all around the area. The sits are mostly small. If you have a big rig, get here early. There are not a lot of big sites, and some would be large enough but, a lot are pull throughs that have too much of a curve that make it hard to get into the space. I have also seen very small (tear drops) take up the largest spaces so that leaves even less space for big rigs. I have a 37 foot 5th wheel, it was very tight but I did get in. I arrived before noon, after an hour or two, no big rigs could fit. Lots of spaces for smaller rigs and tent campers.
NOTE to people with smaller rigs, Please... if you can fit into a smaller space then some large one, please leave the large space for the bigger rigs.
Russell Nesbitt would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Unique campground with cool vibe”
Reviewed 2/15/2022
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 12 |
RV Length: | 35' (Fifth Wheel) |
I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and parked in site #12, a PT site close to the bathrooms (no showers) for $7.50/night with an America the Beautiful pass. Road/site was asphalt in good shape. There was one corner in the road that was really tight to get around. I had to back up and approach it a little differently... more
I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and parked in site #12, a PT site close to the bathrooms (no showers) for $7.50/night with an America the Beautiful pass. Road/site was asphalt in good shape. There was one corner in the road that was really tight to get around. I had to back up and approach it a little differently to avoid hitting lava rock along the side of the rig. Sites are each very different and some are nestled in amongst the rock making them quite private. There is no real shade to speak of. Sites have picnic tables and fire pits. Water spigots are located around the CG (not threaded so come with full water tanks.) Totally open sky above for my solar panels. The other really nice thing about this site was the island of rock and trees between the rig and the road giving me a little bit of privacy. No signal of any kind. I did get two bars of Verizon when I went for a hike on one of the volcano cones. I liked this park and would stay there again.
ElaineS would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very Nice CG”
Reviewed 10/17/2021
Nightly rate: | $15 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 15 |
RV Length: | 20' (Travel Trailer) |
Great CG for touring Craters of the Moon. Fully paved trailer site. Very unique setting with lava all around the campsite. We were there in late September and arrived at 2 pm and there were plenty of available sites.
Jim would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“The Lava is Cold”
Reviewed 10/5/2021
Nightly rate: | $15 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 8 |
RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
The sites are interspersed with the lava (cold, not hot lava) and make for the perfect setting in the Craters of the Moon National Monument. The campground is located near the entrance to the park and it's a short walk to the visitors center. The campground is first-come first-served and many nights it was full by the end of the day ... more
The sites are interspersed with the lava (cold, not hot lava) and make for the perfect setting in the Craters of the Moon National Monument. The campground is located near the entrance to the park and it's a short walk to the visitors center. The campground is first-come first-served and many nights it was full by the end of the day in mid-September. If you have a larger rig, I would recommend arriving early because there aren't more than a dozen spots that will fit a 30+ foot rig. If you are tenting or in a van there are a number of spots designed just for you. There were a lot of one-night visitors while we were there, so plenty of turnover if you arrive early. One odd thing about the arrangement here is that you pay for your site each day. Every morning, if you want to stay another night, you walk over to the camping vending machine and use your credit card to pay for another night. It prints out a slip and you put it on the campsite post. It works well I think and probably helps with the healthy turnover in the campground.
Mobile coverage (AT&T and Verizon) is hit or miss. Some campsites get a signal while others are blocked by the lava (cold, not hot lava). You'll get some signal at the visitors center as well as some areas within the Monument.
Water is scarce here and they ask campers not to fill their fresh tanks from the water spigots (no threads). So if you are coming here, fill with water before your arrival. Also note that there is no dump station in the Monument.
Beerboy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great campground inside Craters of Moon National Monument”
Reviewed 9/26/2021
Nightly rate: | $7 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | 35 |
RV Length: | 25' (Class A) |
Very well-maintained campground within the national monument. About half the sites accommodate larger vehicles. Most sites are fairly level. Bathrooms very clean. Water in the park (but not for tank fill). Lots of sun to charge solar batteries, Cell service was intermittent - sometimes nothing but other times, up to two bars. $7.... more
Very well-maintained campground within the national monument. About half the sites accommodate larger vehicles. Most sites are fairly level. Bathrooms very clean. Water in the park (but not for tank fill). Lots of sun to charge solar batteries, Cell service was intermittent - sometimes nothing but other times, up to two bars.
$7.50 per night with senior pass. Can only pay for one night at a time with credit card
JulieDavid would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Fabulous Campground and Park!”
Reviewed 9/1/2021
Nightly rate: | $7 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 36 |
RV Length: | 16' |
Beautiful campground! Well kept bathrooms and beautiful sites amongst the lava beds. A few trees for shade. I recommend a couple of nights so that you can do “The Loop” here! Well worth the time. And a good stopover between the Tetons and Yellowstone and points west. FCFS and not too many sites big enough for larger rigs. We are travel... more
Beautiful campground! Well kept bathrooms and beautiful sites amongst the lava beds. A few trees for shade. I recommend a couple of nights so that you can do “The Loop” here! Well worth the time. And a good stopover between the Tetons and Yellowstone and points west. FCFS and not too many sites big enough for larger rigs. We are traveling in a 25’ Airstream and probably only about 20% of the sites were large enough. The place filled up by 6pm mid week, so plan on arriving early!
RudiOnTheRoad would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wow”
Reviewed 8/5/2021
Nightly rate: | $7 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 35 |
RV Length: | 45' (Class C) |
This place is def. worthy of a visit! All first come first serve but we had no problem getting a spot.
Quiet campground, plenty of space. Loved the loop road and hiking through the caves (free permit required). Verizon service in some areas of the park but mostly nothing.
CindyM would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome spot for a night”
Reviewed 7/28/2021
Nightly rate: | $10 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
RV Length: | 28' |
Craters of the Moon is an other worldly place worth checking out. The campground was clean, easy to access and nicely spaced dry camping. It could get very hot here and it quite exposed. The bathroom was a nice, modern facility. Be sure to check out the caves!
Katie and Todd would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Coolest campground, Craters is great for a day or two, FCFS”
Reviewed 7/18/2021
Days stayed: | 2 |
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RV Length: | 25' (Pop Up Camper) |
You are in the very middle of a lava flow in this campground. So cool. It was clearly redone recently, the roads look fresh. The sites can be huge and there are lots of little paths into the lava rocks from the campsites. Signal was OK on the far end. About half the sites are OK for bigger rigs; the other half is definitely not. Flush ... more
You are in the very middle of a lava flow in this campground. So cool. It was clearly redone recently, the roads look fresh. The sites can be huge and there are lots of little paths into the lava rocks from the campsites. Signal was OK on the far end. About half the sites are OK for bigger rigs; the other half is definitely not. Flush toilets but no showers.
Craters of the Moon is only a 7 mile loop drive which is kind of nice given how huge some of the National Parks can be. There are several approachable hikes and 4 really cool lava caves (be sure to go to all - they are very different). If you want to go in them you need to wear different clothes than in any caves you've been in since 2005 to prevent White Nose Syndrome and protect the bats. You have to have a free permit to get into the caves which you can get at the Visitor Center or the Entrance Station.
There was quite a bit of turnover. I recommend at least one full day if not two and then you can easily have seen the whole park. We were there during a heat wave so the exploration hours were limited (but the caves felt really good).
Note that you pay at the kiosk near the entrance station and you can only pay for one night and only with a credit card there. If you want to pay for more, go to the visitor center.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Pleasant Surprise”
Reviewed 6/6/2021
Nightly rate: | $15 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 12 |
RV Length: | 27' (Truck Camper) |
Detour on original route to Sun Valley to see the Craters on 6/4/21. Found out they had a campground and for $15, we decided to stay a night and take in the sights. Campground is right in the lava flow and kept pretty clean. Very unique and scenic. No cell service in campground, but decent reception in various spots throughout park. We... more
Detour on original route to Sun Valley to see the Craters on 6/4/21. Found out they had a campground and for $15, we decided to stay a night and take in the sights. Campground is right in the lava flow and kept pretty clean. Very unique and scenic. No cell service in campground, but decent reception in various spots throughout park. Well worth the time to see if you’re in the vicinity.
Nozhol 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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