North Crater Flow Trail – Spatter Cones loop from Lava Tube

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Idaho

Butte County

North Crater Flow Trail – Spatter Cones loop from Lava Tube

Moderate

2.7

(22)

hikers

North Crater Flow Trail – Spatter Cones loop from Lava Tube

04:50

17.8km

250m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 2, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.99 km

North Crater Flow Trail

Highlight • Trail

North Crater Flow Trail is a popular 0.25-mile loop that leads into old lava flows that occured during the most recent eruptive period. It ended approximately 2,000 years ago and also formed the North Crater. Along the boardwalk that was constructed in 2023, you will visit several information boards for different types of lava like Blue Dragon and other interesting facts.

Tip by

5.43 km

Big Craters Overlook, Craters of the Moon National Monument

Highlight • Volcano

The Big Craters are part of the 3.5-mile (in and out) North Crater Trail. Follow the trail to get to the North Crater that you will hike into. Big Craters is actually a cinder cone complex. It is made up of nine separate vents and some of the smaller vents sit inside of larger ones. This is also the source of one of the most recent eruptions at Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Tip by

6.51 km

Cave Entrance

9.97 km

Devils Orchard information boards

Highlight • Natural Monument

You will find several information boards with interesting facts about the changing environment in Craters of the Moon National Monument. So take your time to learn a bit more about this unique place. There are also benches, in case you want to rest.

Tip by

13.1 km

Spatter Cones

Highlight • Volcano

The Spatter Cones are no classic vents. They were formed when hot chunks of lava were thrown a short distance into the air before falling back to earth at the edge of a central vent. The still molten lumps landed on top of each other, cooled down and formed a kind of mini volcano.

Tip by

15.8 km

Parking and Info at Caves Trail

Highlight • Rest Area

There is a fairly large parking lot at the Caves Trailhead. You will find restrooms and picnic benches. To enter one or more caves along the Caves Trail, you need to obtain a free permit at the Visitor Center of Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Tip by

16.3 km

Dewdrop Cave

Highlight • Cave

The Dewdrop Cave is one of four lava tubes that is open for the public (things may change though) and one of the shorter ones. It was formed during the latest lava flow known as the Blue Dragon Lava Flow. You climb down a short ladder and you can investigate just a little further.

Tip by

16.6 km

Indian Tunnel North Entrance

Highlight • Cave

The northern entrance of the "Indian Tunnel" is mostly used as an exit since you enter the lava tube from further south. Once you get out of the lava tube, follow the wooden poles over the lava back to the Caves Trail.

Tip by

16.7 km

Indian Tunnel

Highlight • Cave

The "Indian Tunnel" is the largest and longest of the lava tubes along the Caves Trail that can be accessed. To do so, you need to obtain a free permit at the Visitor Center. You will climb over rocks that can be slippery in places, but it is a unique small adventure. On the ceiling of the tube you can see lava stalactites formed as the river of lava pulled away from the ceiling, and molten material began to drip from the hot ceiling. The exit is about 800 feet further north.

Tip by

17.8 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

8.86 km

7.29 km

905 m

781 m

Surfaces

11.6 km