Last Updated on 30 December, 2025 by Robyn Dockendorf
Traveling with our pets has been one of the most rewarding experiences. We enjoy all the scenic views and drives with our furbags right alongside us. However, not every park we visit is pet-friendly, so we have to get a little creative when visiting these types of parks.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve allows pets in the park, but pets are not permitted on any trails, so you must plan your trip to this beautiful place carefully. This guide is full of tips on exploring Craters of the Moon while allowing your pet to enjoy some scenery and experience the park with you.
Roll down the windows and let the slobber fly! Let’s discuss how to visit Craters of the Moon with pets so that you both enjoy it!
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Craters of the Moon Pet Policy
Let’s start with the basics. Where can pets go at Craters of the Moon Park? The National Park Service tells us that dogs can go on the roads, in the parking lots, and in the campground on site. Dogs are not allowed in any buildings (except for service animals) or on any trails.
Not too exciting, right? While it’s unfortunate that dogs aren’t allowed on any trails, there are still ways to enjoy this park with your canine companion!
Why Can’t Dogs Go On Trails?
Some places are lax with pet policies, while others, like Craters of the Moon, are stringent. It might seem random, but there are reasons why pets aren’t allowed on trails at Craters of the Moon:
- Hazards: You may not feel the sharpness of the lava field through your rubber-soled shoes, but your pet’s paws would get scraped and shredded on the rocks. Holes, cracks, and loose stones are ever-present at Craters of the Moon, creating hazards for your pup.
- Disease: Dogs can unintentionally transmit illnesses to other wild canine species, like foxes, coyotes, and wolves.
- Wildlife: Small critters like chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits inhabit the park. A dog’s presence could disrupt their way of life and alter their behavior.
With some creative thinking and planning, you can still have a tail-wagging good time with your furry copilot at Craters of the Moon. Below, I’ll give you some tips for visiting Craters of the Moon with pets.
Tip #1: Go In The Morning or Evening
My first tip is to hit Craters of the Moon either in the morning or evening. If you plan to see anything at all at Craters, you’ll likely have to leave your pup in the car for a short time.
The weather is cooler in the morning and evening, so your furry pal won’t be uncomfortable in the car. The park is also less crowded, so you can find prime parking spots closest to the trails.
There’s really no other way to see Craters of the Moon than by leaving your pet in the car at some point. When we went, we fast-walked through a few short hikes (less than 1 mile) and felt like we got to experience some exciting things! Since we went early in the morning, we didn’t have to worry about our dog, Pawdrick, overheating in the campervan.
If you have to choose between morning and evening, I highly recommend going in the morning. If you get there early enough, you don’t have to pay the entrance fee, and you can see everything in the light of day. However, evenings have their own charm, with sunsets, twilight hours, dark skies, and the opportunity to see bats!
Tip #2: Hit the Short Hikes
Bringing your pet to Craters of the Moon means you’ll have to make a few sacrifices. Instead of being able to explore the caves and longer trails, you’ll have to settle for the short hikes. But trust me, even the short hikes are unique and intriguing!
Check out our hiking gear essentials checklist to ensure you have everything you need for a short day hike.
I’ll provide a few suggestions for short hikes below, but you can always choose your own path! Check out the Craters of the Moon map to plan out your day.
North Crater Flow Trail (0.3 Miles)
The North Crater Flow Trail is the first trail you encounter when you enter the park. It has a large parking lot on the right side of the road where your canine companion can hang out while you explore the lava flow.
The trail is an easy 0.3-mile paved trail that takes you around a 2,000-year-old lava flow. Multiple informational signs teach you about the flow and how scientists first determined its age from a twisted Limber Pine tree!
Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail (0.5 Miles)
At 0.5 miles, the Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail is the perfect length for a short hike. Your furry pal can relax while you take in the exotic views and exhibits along the paved path.
Devil’s Orchard got its name from a visiting minister. He viewed the jumble of volcanic rocks, cinder beds, shrubs, and twisted limber pine trees, declaring it a garden fit for the devil himself.
While the name is a bit dramatic, it matches the drama of the landscape. As nearby volcanoes erupted, the lava flow carried huge chunks of North Crater down to Devil’s Orchard, depositing them in places that appear entirely out of place when walking around the trail.
The Devil’s Orchard exhibits challenge your way of thinking more than teaching about the area’s geology. It’s a fun little hike and definitely worth exploring.
Inferno Cone (0.4 Miles)
The Inferno Cone trail is a short but challenging hike to the top of the Inferno Cinder Cone. The trail is not marked, but it is clear from the parking lot where to go. Follow the steep trail to the top for rewarding 360-degree views of the Great Rift, Snake River Plain, and the Pioneer Mountains.
If it’s a clear day, look to the east – you might glimpse the Tetons!
Inferno Cone stands at 6,181 feet. As you summit the steep climb, don’t expect to see a great hole in the top from an eruption. This particular cone is actually just a mound of volcanic froth that was carried by the wind and deposited.
Snow Cone & Spatter Cone (0.2 Miles)
The Snow and Spatter Cones are evidence of the activities that occur during the final gasp of a volcanic eruption. Blobs of molten lava were thrown a short distance into the air from a small central vent, only to fall back to the earth and form a miniature volcano.
This hike will take you on two trails – one to the Spatter Cone and one to the Snow Cone. Each trail is approximately 0.1 miles long, totaling around 0.2 miles. Both trails are paved, and the Snow Cone trail is wheelchair accessible.
If you are disappointed that there isn’t a hole at the top of Inferno Cone, you can get your satisfaction here! Hike to the end of the trail and take a look down into the center of a miniature volcano!
Hikes to Avoid
Some hikes at Craters of the Moon are long and not recommended if you bring your furbags to the park. Here are the trails you should avoid:
- North Crater Trail (3.5 miles)
- Broken Top Loop/Big Sink Overlook (1.8 miles)
- Tree Molds Trail (2 miles)
- Wilderness Trail (10.4 miles)
- Caves Trail (1.8 miles)
If you come back without your pup, these are definitely worth seeing! The Caves Trail is incredibly unique, with multiple caves that are home to bats. A free cave permit grants you access to go inside the caves! The exhibit signs can teach you about the caves and bats, and you’ll also see information about what a lava tube is and where to find them.
Tip #3: Walk the Roads
Craters of the Moon’s pet policy allows dogs on all roads. If your canine companion is up for a longer hike, trek down the road with them. There are still plenty of beautiful views right alongside the road, including cinder cones, lava fields, cascades, and intriguing plant life.
Plus, your dog will love the fresh air and unique smells.
Note that there are no sidewalks to walk on, so always keep your doggo on a leash and be wary of cars, as the speed limit along the loop road is 25 mph.
Consider parking at the Inferno Cone trailhead and walking the loop road for a total of 2.8 miles. For an even longer hike, walk down to the Tree Molds parking lot for an additional 2.4 miles to see the Lava Cascades, a section of overlapping lava flows.
Tip #4: Roll Down the Windows
This may seem like a silly tip, but your pet will love the opportunity to stick their head out the window and smell all the unique scents that Craters of the Moon has to offer. Your furball will also enjoy the fresh air and new views.
When the windows are rolled down, and you drive slowly down the road, your pup’s nose picks up tons of scents. This can help stimulate their mind and relieve stress since they won’t get much exercise at the park unless you decide to walk down the road with them.
Dogs use their sense of smell to understand their surroundings. Rolling the windows down helps them adjust to the new setting and enjoy the park as much as you do!
Tip #5: Stop in the Parking Lots
There are several parking lots around Craters of the Moon where you can stop and let your canine companion stretch their legs and shake off any stress. It’s also a great opportunity to let them go to the bathroom – just be sure to always clean up after your dog!
If you have a reactive dog, Craters of the Moon is actually a great place to give them some freedom to walk around without triggering a reaction. Few people bring their dogs to the park, so you’re unlikely to run into other dogs. If your pup is people-reactive, I recommend hitting the park early so you can avoid people and dogs.
You can read more about hiking with a reactive dog here!
Tip #6: Pack the Essentials
Making sure your furry pal has all the essentials will improve their experience. Leaving them in the car is stressful enough, but forgetting their water bowl, snacks, or favorite toy will add to their anxiety.
Here are a few essentials to pack for leaving your pooch in your vehicle:
- Water bowl: A collapsible water bowl like the Bivy™ Collapsible Dog Bowl works great in vehicles. It holds up to 60 FL OZ and collapses down for easy storage after your adventures.
- Collapsible food bowl: If you plan to spend some time at Craters of the Moon, you’ll definitely want to pack some food for your pup. A collapsible food bowl, like Bonza Collapsible Silicone Dog Bowl, works great. Like the Bivvy Bowl, it collapses down for easy storage.
- Blanket: If you plan to leave your dog in your car for short periods while exploring Craters of the Moon, giving them a cozy place to lie down is paramount. The Pendleton National Park Dog Throw Blanket is cozy, comfy, and sure to make your pup feel safe in the car.
- Bone: Bones are a great tool to keep your pup distracted and engaged while you explore some of the shorter hikes at Craters of the Moon. Consider giving them a Water Buffalo Horn Dog Treat to keep them busy.
- Toy: Another way to keep your dog busy while you explore is to bring their favorite toy! The KONG Classic Dog Toy is the perfect pawtner for your hiking adventure at Craters of the Moon.
- Treats: After your hiking escapades are over, reward your dog with a high-value treat like Vital Essentials Moo Stick. It’s sure to brighten their day and remind them of how well they did staying in the car.
If you decide to hike down the roads with your pup, we have a fantastic dog hiking gear essentials checklist to ensure you have all you need while walking your furbag.
Tip #7: Take Your Time
We didn’t adhere to this last tip when exploring Craters of the Moon. We were so worried about leaving Pawdrick (and our cat, G) in the van that we rushed through everything and even skipped a few places.
Looking back, we wish we hadn’t done that. While leaving your dog in the car is stressful, they get over it quickly.
So, our last tip is to take your time. Enjoy the views, take in the exhibits, read each sign, learn something new, take pictures, go to the Craters of the Moon visitor center, and appreciate the otherworldly landscape around you.
Craters of the Moon FAQ
Before you visit this intriguing destination, let’s discuss some of the most common questions about the park. Hopefully this will get you and your pup prepared for the adventure of a lifetime!
How Much Does It Cost To Enter The Craters Of The Moon?
The standard entrance fee to Craters of the Moon is as follows. This fee grants access to the park for seven consecutive days.
- Vehicle: $20
- Motorcycle: $15
- Cyclists: $10
- Pedestrian: $10
When Did Craters of the Moon Last Erupt?
The most recent activity at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve occurred around 2,100 years ago.
Unlike the dramatic eruption of Mt. St. Helens, the eruptions at Craters of the Moon did not have high-pressure gas build-up, so the lava flowed more than spewing. This has created a landscape of slow-moving lava fields that have hardened over time, creating a unique landscape.
Is Craters of the Moon Worth Going To?
After visiting the park in our campervan with our dog and cat in the vehicle, it’s definitely worth going. The views are unlike anywhere else in the United States, and the exhibits taught me a lot about the different types of volcanoes, lava, and eruptions.
Overall, it was worth it. However, you can see the whole park in a day, so it’s not worth taking a week-long vacation there.
What Caused Craters of the Moon in Idaho?
Craters of the Moon in Idaho was formed from multiple volcanic eruptions that happened over a long period. Approximately 60 lava flows are on the surface at Craters of the Moon. The oldest dated lava flow is around 15,000 years old, while the newest is around 2,100 years old.
From the sky, the many craters and cones appear similar to those found on the surface of the Moon, hence the preserve’s name.
Visiting Craters of the Moon With Pets: Our Final Thoughts
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is a unique park in Central Idaho. The scenic landscape is steeped in volcanic history, with otherworldly geologic formations as far as the eye can see! This is one of the Idaho National Monuments you won’t want to miss.
Unfortunately, Craters of the Moon is not very pet-friendly. Whether you live in a campervan with your pup and have no other choice but to bring them, or you just can’t stand leaving them at home, there are still ways to enjoy this park with your canine companion.
To recap, here are our 7 tips for visiting Craters of the Moon with pets:
- Go in the morning or evening
- Hike the short trails
- Walk the roads
- Roll down the windows
- Stop in the parking lots
- Pack the essentials
- Take your time.
Have you visited Craters of the Moon with your pet? How did it go? Do you have any questions about bringing your pet to the park? Let us know in the comments below!
Until then, give your furbag an extra pet from us dirtbags, and keep exploring! For more tips on hiking with pets, check out our hiking blog!
